James Hunter Biography

James Hunter (born 2 October 1962) is a Grammy Award-nominated English R&B musician and soul singer originally from Colchester, Essex., he has one older brother, and one younger sister.

Born the middle child, with an elder brother and younger sister, Hunter's career began with a band called, "Howlin' Wilf and the Vee-Jays," who released one album in 1986 titled, Cry Wilf. He spent much of the 1990's playing small clubs in London, as with the Weavers Pub in Islington (North London), and the 100 Club on Oxford Street in London. Hunter's soulful style garnered the attention of Van Morrison, who appeared on Hunter's first album released on Ace, Believe What I say in 1996. (Morrison sang backing vocals on "Turn On Your Love Light" and "Ain't Nothing You Can Do." Hunter's relationship with Morrison lead to a tour with Van in the early nineties where he sang backing vocals on Morrison's 1994 live album, A Night in San Francisco, and his 1995 studio recording Days Like This. Hunter's first solo release in the United States, his 2006 breakthrough album People Gonna Talk, was nominated for Best Traditional Blues Album of the Year.