When Bruce James and Bella Black joined forces in Austin, Texas, in 2011, it felt like Southern Soul had been reimagined for a new era. Their sound—gritty, soulful, and steeped in the traditions of Texas, Memphis, and New Orleans—isn't a throwback. Instead, they call it "Guerrilla Soul", a genre-bending movement that blends roots with innovation. For James & Black, music is more than entertainment—it’s an organic process. Each song is a story, a seed nurtured into bloom by the fertile soil of their harmonies, lyrics, and life experiences.
From the start, James & Black set their sights beyond Austin, taking their sound to Europe, where between 2012 and 2019, they carved out a niche. Based in Belgium, they crisscrossed the continent—Germany, Italy, Spain, France, and the UK—playing up to 150 shows a year and traveling over 700,000 kilometers. Their tireless touring turned audiences into die-hard fans and elevated the duo into a soulful phenomenon.
The company they kept along the way says it all. In Leiden, they opened for the soulful Gregory Porter and the transcendent Fatoumata Diawara. Amsterdam saw them onstage with saxophone legend Candy Dulfer. Italy welcomed them to the Porretta Soul Festival three times, where they played alongside icons like Bobby Rush and Lattimore. Spain’s Enclave de Agua Festival paired them with Lee Fields and Nikki Hill, while the Barcelona Jazz Festival cemented their European presence. In Germany and Austria, they brought their firepower to The Slackers’ tour, and at the Baltic Soul Weekender near Hamburg, they shared the bill with Sister Sledge and CeCe Peniston. One unforgettable moment came in 2017 at the Porretta Soul Festival when they performed a heartfelt tribute to New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint. Back home, they represented Texas proudly at the Peer Blues Festival, alongside ZZ Top, Jools Holland, and the Blind Boys of Alabama. Their momentum didn’t slow. In 2018, they sold out Budapest’s MUPA (Hungarian Palace of Arts) alongside bluesman Little Gee Weevil, headlined Croatia’s Thrill Blues Festival, and brought the house down at Bulgaria’s Kapana Fest. Their debut UK tour saw them collaborating with Sam Kelly (Cymande) and Richard Sadler, while France had them opening for jazz heavyweight David Murray and spoken-word powerhouse Saul Williams at the Avignon Bridge Festival. In 2019, they expanded their horizons even further, headlining Shanghai Spring Fest during their first Chinese tour. By then, James & Black were more than performers—they were a movement, building cultural bridges through their music and leaving an indelible mark wherever they performed.
But James & Black’s legacy isn’t just about the stage. Their discography reflects their evolution as artists and global storytellers. Their debut live album, recorded in Belgium’s famed N9 club in 2012, captures their raw energy. In 2015, they released ‘How Long is Now’, a studio effort crafted in Italy, followed by ‘Live at La Chapelle’ (2016), recorded in Paris with guest musicians Felix Sabal Lecco and Nicolas Thys. By 2017, their second studio album, ‘This Time’, recorded in Brussels and produced by Jean-Pol Van Ham, showcased their refined artistry. Its release was marked by tours across Europe, including Germany, Spain, France, and the Netherlands. Now, in 2024, James & Black are back in the U.S., bringing their journey full circle.
They’ve traded the touring life for a new mission: inspiring the next generation of artists at the Niagara Falls Boys & Girls Club. Whether performing on international stages or mentoring young musicians, James & Black continue to embody the spirit of “Guerrilla Soul”. For them, it’s not just a genre—it’s a testament to the power of music to grow, adapt, and transform lives.
