Pianist and singer Reuben James has just kicked off a six-date headline UK tour, opening in Manchester and on to Glasgow, and tonight [Saturday 18th October 2025] calls in to Leeds before shows in his home city of Birmingham and Bristol, before closing in London on 24th October.
The acclaimed pianist, vocalist, composer and producer is promoting his genre-blending, star-studded new album “Big People Music” on the tour. A bold, 16-track odyssey, “Big People Music” blends jazz harmonies, funk-driven basslines, cinematic strings, and timeless songwriting.
It features an impressive line-up of guests including Jamie Cullum, Jungle, Honne, Emeli Sandé, Ezra Collective’s Joe Armon-Jones, Theo Croker, US jazz star Keyon Harrold, Kofi Stone, Stephen Fry, and producers Ben Jones (Sam Smith, Mary J Blige) and Karma Kid (Bakar, Dua Lipa, Arlo Parks, Rudimental) – all woven together by James‘ signature touch.
Emerging from Birmingham’s vibrant jazz scene, James cut his teeth in clubs like Ronnie Scott’s before touring the globe with Sam Smith for seven years, playing everywhere from Madison Square Garden to the Oscars and Grammy awards. Reuben wrote songs for Smith’s four-million-selling album “The Thrill Of It All”.
Alongside his own projects, he has collaborated with a versatile range of talent across genres: from arena-filling icons to underground innovators, while scoring for film and television, including work with Marcus Mumford on the Apple TV+ hit “Ted Lasso. “
Reuben is hugely in-demand as a session musician and studio sideman and has collaborated with the likes of Stormzy, Disclosure, Marcus Mumford, James Bay, Joni Mitchell and Lang Lang among many others.
Reuben has carved out a hugely successful solo career in the jazz/soul world with his songs – released independently on his own Rufio Records label – being played more than 50 million times across streaming platforms.
Now, the Birmingham-born artist brings his latest creative chapter to the stage, “a magnetic live experience blending jazz, funk, and soul with deep groove and spontaneity.” He brings a singular energy that blurs the lines between genres.
His current tour is “a joyous, high-energy journey through Reubens’ world of jazz, funk, and soul”, and a chance to catch one of the UK’s most exciting musical talents in action.
TOUR DATES 2025:
Thursday October 16 – YES, Manchester
Friday October 17 – Rum Shack, Glasgow
Saturday October 18 – Headrow House, Leeds
Tuesday October 21 – Hare & Hounds, Birmingham
Wednesday October 22 – Exchange, Bristol
Friday October 24 – Village Underground, London
Reuben James: “Track Record”
1. First song you recall hearing as a child?
“The Way It Is” by Bruce Hornsby and The Range.
2. First single you owned?
“Just In Case” by Jaheim.
3. First LP/album you owned?
“Justified” by Justin Timberlake.
4. First CD you owned?
“Confessions” by Usher.
5. Last music you bought and in what format (CD/vinyl/digital download)?
“Tuff Times Never Last” by Kokoroko – on vinyl.
6. Which album would you be happy to receive as a gift?
“Let Go” by Robert Glasper on vinyl.
7. Favourite album? (Choose more than one if need be…)
“I Am” by Earth, Wind & Fire.
8. Best record ever made (can be single/album/EP – and choose more than one if need be)?
“Voodoo” by D’angelo – The perfect album. “Thriller” by Michael Jackson. “Innervisions” by Stevie Wonder. “Amazing Grace” by Aretha Franklin.
9. Guilty secret (or anything unusual or perhaps unexpected) in your music collection?
My favourite all-time album is Robin Thicke: “The Evolution of Robin Thicke”.
10. What does music mean to you and how does it make you feel?
It means everything to me; It makes me cry and it makes me style. It makes me remember and it makes me dream.
11. Which song or album is a guaranteed mood booster?
“Concert By The Sea” by Erroll Garner. “Night Train” by Oscar Peterson.
12. Which song or album would be the soundtrack to a film about your life?
“Solitude” by Duke Ellington.
13. Your favourite driving track – or music to exercise to?
To drive: “You Can Call Me Al” by Paul Simon. To exercise: “When A Fire Starts To Burn” by Disclosure.
14. Best song or album for a romantic moment?
“Ben Webster Plays Ballads”.
15. Which song was played for the “First Dance” at your wedding (if you are married) or which song would you choose if you did get married?
“I Love You for Sentimental Reasons” by Nat King Cole.
16. Your choice of song to sing at karaoke?
“Ebony and Ivory” by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder. “After The Love Has Gone” by Earth, Wind & Fire.
17. Which song takes you back to your childhood – and to which specific memory/memories?
“Ascension” by Maxwell, which reminds me of family parties and dancing. “Waiting In Vain” by Bob Marley and The Wailers, and more dancing, as a toddler with my family.
18. Favourite band (or bands)?
Boys II Men, Simon & Garfunkel, The Milk Carton Kids, The JB’s.
19. Favourite singer (or singers)?
Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Chris Stapleton, Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughan.
20. Which song would you like played at your funeral?
“Kingston Town” by Lord Creator.
