Samuel James

"Samuel James is like a time machine – the same one that keeps Son House and Mississippi John Hurt traveling back to the public consciousness" – Portland Phoenix

Take the songwriting of Bill Withers and Tom Waits. Now combine that with the soul power and energy of James Brown. And the charisma of P.T. Barnum. Enter in the guitar playing of Leo Kotke and you’re starting to get an idea of what Samuel James is all about.

The last of the great, black, American troubadours, Samuel James is a performer of stunning singularity. He has irreversibly changed what it means to be a solo act. Unfortunately for the reader he is unique to the point of non-comparison. I mean, seriously, he’s been called, “…the Guardian of Lightning,” by Rolling Stone, France. That’s pretty serious, right? He has mastered the guitar, piano, harmonica, and banjo. Yup, even the banjo.

His performances have received standing ovations in the United States from coast to coast as well as England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, France, Spain, Belgium, Germany, and Poland. And Canada. He challenges you not to. It only counts if you come to the show. He will move you from your feet all the way to your heart.