José James is an American jazz singer and multi-instrumentalist based in Brooklyn, New York. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His music has elements from his hip hop roots combined with modern jazz elements. He has collaborated with artists such as Robert Glasper and Flying Lotus. His music has also incorporated influences such as R&B, Soul, Hip Hop, and Jazz fusion. He has five albums under his name since 2008, and he has won multiple awards such as the MOBO Award for Best Jazz Act in 2013. In 2016 he released his sixth record "Love in a time of Madness", which he described as an exploration of modern love, often making politically charged statements. He continues to be one of the leading jazz vocalists of his generation.