Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. On this episode, we catch up with acclaimed Vegas-based jazz singer Andy James to talk about her 2025 album Architect of My Blues, released in November 2025, along with live gigs, an upcoming April 2026 performance, and much more.
On this ninth studio album, Andy drew deep inspiration from Ray Charles, whose groundbreaking 1962 album Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music reshaped American music by blending soul, R&B, jazz, and country. That spirit guided Andy’s songwriting sessions with her all-star jazz band, ultimately blossoming into an intimate, high-spirited, mood-swinging journey recorded in Nashville, in collaboration with top Music City songwriters.
The album features a stunning lineup of legendary musicians including Jon Cowherd (piano), John Patitucci (bass), Nicolas Payton (trumpet), Michael Dease (trombone), Joel Frahm (saxophone), Bob Sheppard (saxophone), and many more.
We dive into the making of Architect of My Blues, the Ray Charles connection, the Nashville experience, and how Andy continues to evolve as a jazz vocalist with deep roots and modern fire.
🎶 Get the album Architect of My Blues:
https://andyjamesjazz.bandcamp.com/album/the-architect-of-my-blues
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