Jose James
“Save Your Love For Me”
Playing Thursday at the Jazz Standard (116 E. 27th St., Gramercy)
Get: Tickets ($25-30)| Directions

Jazz balladry may have given birth to baby-making R&B, but nobody exemplifies that evolutionary process quite like Jose James. The Minneapolis-reared vocalist straddles the two idioms perfectly, employing the tight grooves of neo-soul with organic, minimalist jazz piano textures and a voice suited to crooning the classics.

James has worked hard to strike that balance, collaborating with a diverse stable of talents ranging from Detroit underground techno legend Moodyman to jazz greats like Chico Hamilton. The result is serious recognition from all sides.

James’ 2010 release For All We Know (released on the famous Impulse! label) has won several “Best Jazz Vocal Album” awards, as well as a nod from DownBeat Magazine, which named him “Rising Star Best Male Vocalist.”