Talented and beautiful, Sylvia St. James has found her way to music success in several stages over a four decade career, shining her talent in R&B, jazz and gospel music.
Born in Waukegon, Illinois, St. James began singing gospel as a child, and her talent led her to become a regular performer around the Midwestern US while still a teenager. After school she moved to California, where her bright, pure voice helped her to become a sought-after session vocalist, working with The Pointer Sisters and several of the big jazz names of the 70s such as Stanley Clarke, Jeff Lorber and George Duke.
A bigger showcase of her talent came when she joined the popular band Side Effect in the late 70s, singing lead on the top 10 hit “All In Your Mind.” When Side Effect switched to the Elektra label in the early 80s, St. James was also signed as a solo singer, issuing two tasty albums working with Rufus’s Andre Fischer and EWF’s Larry Dunn. Neither album received the deserved airplay, but only received true appreciation years later as collectors items.
St. James’ career changed in the 90s, as she traveled the country as the Mistress of Ceremonies for the House of Blues Gospel Brunch. This created the opportunity for her to create her own act, The St. James Gospel Choir, and her dedication to a melding of Gospel of Jazz in creative new ways. She has since performed on major national television shows such as Ellen and Jimmy Kimmel, and remains in demand more than four decades after she first hit the scene.
