NEW ORLEANS (AP) - R&B heartthrob Luke James gets a rare opportunity to shine before his home crowd Saturday when he performs - for the first time - at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
“This festival was definitely on my bucket list,” James said in an interview prior to his scheduled performance. “I’m pretty excited about performing there. Jazz Fest is just amazing. I don’t usually get that excited about any performance, but this one is different.”
For New Orleans musicians, a performance at Jazz Fest can mean that the city has embraced their talent and now they’re getting an opportunity to showcase that talent to the world. Another Jazz Fest newcomer from New Orleans is Kevin Stylez, who performs Sunday.
James, 30, who grew up in New Orleans’ 7th Ward and still has family living there, said he’s always looked at playing at the festival as the standard to aspire to. “For me, as a musician growing up in New Orleans surrounded by music, the Jazz Fest was it. It was the first time I’d seen live performances by people like the Neville Brothers and I thought one day, I’m going to perform there on a main stage.”
That prediction comes true Saturday.
“I believe in divine intervention and I definitely thought this into fruition,” he said.
James’ self-titled debut album, “Luke James,” was released last year and spawned the hit single “Options,” featuring Rick Ross and included a re-release of his first single “I Want You.” A twice Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter, James co-wrote Chris Brown’s “Crawl” and has written or helped write songs for other artists including Justin Bieber and Britney Spears.
He sees the Jazz Fest show as a chance to grow new fans. “I love being in front of crowds of people who don’t know me,” he said.
Festival-goers, he said, can expect a youthful, energetic and electrifying performance as he introduces himself and his music.
Asked whether Saturday’s gloomy forecast - a 50 percent chance of rain was expected - would put a damper on things, James said not at all. “If it rains, that’s even better,” he said. “You come to Jazz Fest for the heat, the sweat and the rain. Maybe I’ll even go out into the crowd and get a little bit of that.”
James said he’s hoping his next as-yet-unnamed project, expected sometime next year, will help further expand his fan base. “I’m buckling down to work on creating that next project. That’s mainly what I’m focused on. I’ve been writing nonstop and mixing and mingling with some producers who I’d like to work with.”
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