Benjaman James is a Michigan-based, Traverse City-native artist, musician, and bandleader of a self-titled eight-piece pop-funk band.
As a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with roots in funk, jazz, R&B, and soul, Benjaman inspires his audience by generating dance-worthy, captivating, lyrical music that takes listeners on an energetic improvisational journey.
Benjaman features a collective of seven incredible Michigan-based musicians, including a heroic horn section that has made dancers out of the most static crowds since the band's conception in 2016.
Stages visited:
Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater, Van Singel Fine Arts Center, Lansing Center, NPR - Michigan Radio, Bell's Eccentric Cafe, Short's Brewing Company, Empire Asparagus Festival, National Cherry Festival, Mackinac Arts Council's Music in the Park, Traverse City Opera House, Traverse City Film Festival, Leelanau Uncaged Festival, New Holland Brewing Company, and many more.
Press:
"dance-fueled groove...a track that's liable to haunt your brain cells long after the music fades away" - Local Spins, November 2016
"Benjaman James Debuts First Album" - MyNorth, November 2016
"budding career" - Record Eagle, November 2016
"sings about 'Growing Pains' in new EP" - NPR, December 2016
"thousands are expected to attend" - Local Spins, April 2017
"hot horns and heavy grooves" - MyNorth, June 2017