Join us for an exciting evening of classic songs and music from Pop, Jazz and Big Band with Josie James featuring Marlon Martinez and The Marlonius Jazz Orchestra.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Grammy nominated singer Josie James is equally at home on the concert stage or in the recording studio with a track record that has been praised by many. She sings a wide variety of music influenced by R&B, gospel, pop and jazz. Jazz funk/fusion fans remember Josie James (“talk to me quick!”) as the lead vocalist of the original George Duke Band and sang on most of George’s albums including Duke’s last release Dreamweaver.

Since embarking on a career in the music world as a singer, Josie has recorded and/or toured with Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and The Jacksons, Whitney Houston, Earth Wind and Fire, Philip Bailey, Phil Collins, Billy Ocean, Jeffrey Osborne, Quincy Jones, Patrice Rushen, David Foster, Ray Parker Jr., Howard Hewitt, Elvis Costello, George Michael, Ronald Isley, Burt Bacharach, and jazz icons Joe Sample, The Crusaders, Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Clarke, Earl Klugh, Al Jarreau, and many others.

Josie’s recording and performance career was launched when she sang the lead vocal on What’s The Story from Patrice Rushen’s Before The Dawn album. Her next big break came when Stevie Wonder asked her to sing on his classic album, Songs In The Key Of Life. The second hit single from that album featured Josie on Another Star. Stevie invited her again to sing on his Hotter Than July and Secret Life of Plants albums.

As one of the most sought after session vocalists in the business, Josie has been heard on many Top 10 albums and singles throughout her career. James appeared in the hit single Easy Lover video with Phil Collins and Philip Bailey, sang with Bailey on his multi-platinum Chinese Wall album, and toured Japan as his featured guest artist.

Josie James received a Grammy Award nomination for her performance of Street Life from the album Royal Jam with The Crusaders, B.B. King, and The London Philharmonic Orchestra, recorded live at Royal Festival Hall. Josie was also featured on Burnin’ Up The Carnival from Joe Sample’s album Voices In The Rain. She performed with George Duke and his All Star Band for the Nelson Mandela Freedom Concert, at London’s Wembley Arena in front of 100,000 people, televised worldwide. Josie was featured artist at the JVC Jazz Festival with guitarist Earl Klugh at the Hollywood Bowl, Al Jarreau at The Festival of Arts, The George Duke Tribute at the Playboy Jazz Festival and Concord Jazz Festival. She performed with original George Duke Band members at Duke’s Memorial Tribute for Centric TV and From Me to You Duke tribute in Sweden. James has made several television appearances, including Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, Soul Train, NAACP Image Awards, BET Awards, The Jools Holland Show, the BBC One show, among others.

Josie’s own solo career commenced with her debut album, Candles, which was released in the UK and has been considered a jazz/pop vocal classic. Once Josie’s voice came to the attention of the legendary hit songwriter Burt Bacharach, she began performing around the world with Bacharach as his featured vocalist. James has performed at numerous Summer Pops symphony concerts, and several television specials, such as Sessions On 54th Street with Elvis Costello, McCormick Presents Burt Bacharach Tribute On Ice, Ronald Isley Meets Burt Bacharach on PBS, and the BBC Electric Proms at The Roundhouse, The Glastonbury Festival with Josie singing her memorable and popular version of the Bacharach/David classic, Anyone Who Had A Heart performed in front of 200,000 people televised internationally and A Life In Song DVD for the BBC.

Josie has recorded on Burt’s albums At This Time and Live At The Sydney Opera House, with The Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Josie James has also performed as headliner with The San Diego Symphony singing The Music Of James Bond, London’s  Jazz Cafe, and Festival of Arts Rising Stars Series.  Her latest CD That Jazz, is available now on iTunes. Be sure to check out the Official Josie James Website josiejamesmusic.com.

Hailing from Los Angeles, Marlon Martinez is a young virtuoso bassist and composer emerging at the center of the resurgent LA and New York jazz scenes. Marlon has demonstrated his virtuosity while touring with a wide range of artists, including Stewart Copeland, Quatuor Ebène, and Mike Garson. Discovered by Stanley Clarke, he has impressed legends such as George Duke, Burt Bacharach, Ellis Marsalis, Lenny White and Ron Carter. Classically trained and a graduate of the Colburn Conservatory of Music, Marlon has performed with Gustavo Dudamel, Valery Gergiev, the San Diego Symphony and more. He is a powerful performer and personality who captivates his audiences internationally.

Marlon’s blazing big band, the Marlonius Jazz Orchestra (MJO), features some of LA’s finest young artists and soloists, and is a vehicle for his creative energy as a composer. His compositions are dynamic and soulful, with a fresh juxtaposition of tradition and originality – à la Quincy Jones, Charles Mingus, Thad Jones, Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington. For more information, visit http://www.marlonmartinezmusic.com/