You have to be something special to be able to take the stage at AB 12 (!) times already. And you have to be pretty good to be able to gloriously reinterpret the work of icons like Billie Holiday, John Coltrane or Bill Withers. The name that connects both axioms? José James!

You can now also add Erykah Badu to that list of icons that José James lovingly honours musically. The undisputed ‘Queen of Neo Soul’ that made a big breakthrough with her debut ‘Baduizm’ in 1997. De Morgen on that : “To this day, it is still considered one of the most important albums of Afro-American pop.”

José James: “It’s simple, jazz singing has always been about interpreting the highest level of standards of your time. And for my generation Erykah Badu has been one of the most innovative and incisive songwriters. Her work has proven to be groundbreaking in a social, musical and artistic sense.”

This tribute to Badu resulted in the album ‘On & On’ that will see the light of day in early 2023. With the collaboration of exceptionally fine folk like Big Yuki (A Tribe Called

Quest), Ben Williams (Kamasi Washington) and Jharis Yokley (My Brightest Diamond). Not only are songs like ‘Baduizm’ reworked, but there are also pickings from her masterpieces ‘New Amerykah Pt. 1’ and ‘Pt2’.

Ready for an warm evening full of Baduizm?

Concert pictures © Daria Miasoedova