Marcus Paul James is ready to start the year off right with his first concert of the year. The Brooklyn-born singer-songwriter and actor will appear in concert Jan. 29, at Rockwood Music Hall.
James, who studied musical theatre at Penn State University, most recently appeared in NBC’s “The Wiz Live!” and has performed in Motown The Musical, In The Heights and Rent. In 2009, he released the Akira Shelton-produced soulful house EP Eletrik Love. After meeting choreographer/dancer/producer Michael Balderrama on In The Heights, James signed with Balderrama’s indie label Silver Towers Productions (later Silver Towers Records). He followed up with his debut album Meant To Be in 2012, a soul-pop album of “New Soul” echoing back to the soul of real music and melody.
James, the son of a DJ, is from a Baptist church family and was singing since he could stand. He recalled hearing his mother play Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder and Teddy Pendergrass records. He developed his song writing chops as a young boy before furthering his craft during college. He wrote for and performed with a sextet acapella group called PRESSURE. The group’s popularity attracted indie record label contracts, which forced the group to move to New York to seek new management and move closer to the music industry action.
Delious Kennedy of Breakout Magazine said: “Upon listening to Marcus sing, you’ll notice that he’s a bit fresh and old school at the same time. Evoking memories of my favorite singer Luther Vandross, Marcus’ soulful delivery and style is one that I wish would return in droves to the music scene…”
Like the title track of his EP, which charted on the UK electric charts, the singles “Wonderful Love” and “Right Now” from his debut album made it to the UK soul charts and held first and third slots for five consecutive weeks.
James’ latest is the single “Living The Dream,” which he dropped August 2015. More new music will be featured at the concert.
James will appear at 11:30pm on Stage 3. Stage 3 opens at 6:30pm. Rockwood Music Hall is a 21+ venue.
He will next perform Feb. 15, for Inspirational Broadway with Michael McElroy and the Broadway Inspirational Voices. Other guests include: Tony-winner Billy Porter (Shuffle Along, Kinky Boots); Renee Elise Goldsberry (Hamilton, Rent, The Color Purple) and two-time Tony nominee Joshua Henry (The Scottsboro Boys, Violet).
Marcus Paul James performs “Mirrors” at last year’s “Broadway Sings Justin Timberlake.”
