About

"Whitney James ain't your typically thin-voiced, self-obsessed pseudo-diva. She's got a spine-tingling presence…” – Seattle Weekly

Whitney James captivates audiences with her extraordinary vocal artistry, blending flawless intonation, rich tonal colors, and an instrumentalist's keen sense of phrasing and time. At the heart of her performances is deep connection—reimagining timeless lyrics with fresh, modern resonance while delivering intimate, emotionally honest interpretations. Her down-to-earth stage presence draws listeners in immediately, and her collaborative spirit makes her a true musician's singer, partnering seamlessly with bands rather than simply leading them.

Music has been a lifelong passion for Whitney, beginning in childhood in the San Francisco Bay Area with family musicals staged alongside her sister, followed by dance, acting, musical theater, and classical voice training. Her jazz journey ignited upon discovering Sarah Vaughan's recordings, leading her to Seattle's Cornish College of the Arts, where she earned her bachelor's degree in music and studied with legendary vocalists Jay Clayton, Sheila Jordan, Mark Murphy, and Nancy King.

In Seattle, Whitney opened for icons including Nina Simone, Betty Carter, Earth Wind & Fire, and Macy Gray, while also lending her voice to radio jingles and commercials across Europe and the U.S.

Relocating to the East Coast in 2007 (splitting time between New York City and Florida), she released her acclaimed 2010 debut album, *The Nature of Love*, featuring trumpeter Ingrid Jensen. The recording earned widespread praise from U.S. and international jazz press, charted for 16 weeks on jazz radio, and established her as a mature, fully formed talent.

In 2012, jazz piano legend Marian McPartland selected Whitney as one of the world's top twelve rising jazz stars, featuring her on NPR's *Piano Jazz: Rising Stars* with host Jon Weber.

Her career highlights include opening for Kurt Elling (2013), co-leading a concert with Dick Hyman, serving as guest vocalist for Maria Schneider and Rufus Reid on Florida tours (2013 and 2015), and being founding/leading member of The Florida Bjorkestra. She has sold out multiple shows for over a decade at The Palladium, performed at the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, and numerous venues across the U.S. In 2014 Whitney became the first woman on-air disc jockey for *All Night Jazz* on NPR affiliate WUSF 89.7 FM.

Deepening her expertise, Whitney earned her master's degree in jazz voice performance from the University of North Texas in May 2022. In 2023, she established her home base in the Dallas-Fort Worth area), where she continues to tour nationally for performances, recording sessions, and master classes.

In addition to her work as a performer, recording artist, producer, and arranger, Whitney serves as full-time faculty in the Commercial Music Department at Dallas College. She oversees the Commercial Voice area and teaches voice, piano, commercial recording techniques, producing, and vocal ensembles.

Wherever she performs, Whitney James bridges pure jazz tradition with genuine joy, creating meaningful connections that resonate long after the last note.