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Artist
Jan James
12+ albums
bluesblues rockfemale vocalistsamericanfemale
about
This tale comes right out of the inner soul of the blues. It reads like the street-level truth in the lyrics of a Delta classic.What kind of artist finds their way to Chicago after having learned licks on a guitar from a Tennessee guy named "Catfish?" What kind of artist hones powerful vocals in a church choir and then translates that emotion into a deep understanding of the blues? Jan James is that kind of artist. Raised in central Michigan on a family-run fishing resort, Jan's talent was obvious early on. "The more I played guitar and the more I tried out the voice I learned to use in the church choir," says Jan, "The more I liked it." And so did everyone else She was continually invited to sing at public gatherings and-like all the great artists-the seduction and thrill of performing onstage soon matched her talent. Jan met her partner, songwriter/guitarist Craig Calvert, while they were both attending Michigan State. She was working in a duo, performing regularly at a small cafŽ. When she needed to replace her guitar player, the timing was right. It was perfect. Craig was taking a break from his punk band; they met and developed a musical chemistry that has evolved into a big sound and feel that is colored with blues, soul and the sweet dynamics of the best rock. After their performances together established a solid reputation for them in the Detroit area, Jan was voted "Best Female Vocalist" by the Detroit Metro Times. Then, continuing a legend-laced journey, they
