“A mighty cool chip off the old block”
Meet James Tormé

Jazz vocalist James Tormé logged more hours on a plane as a child than most of us accumulate in a lifetime. He grew up commuting between the Los Angeles home of his father—3-time Grammy Award winner Mel Tormé—and London, the hometown of his mother, celebrated British actress Janette Scott.

These countless transatlantic crossings provided the future Koch Records recording artist and Chuck Niles Jazz Music Award-winning singer with an invaluable opportunity to begin honing his craft. He spent the long flights absorbing not only his father's music but current pop songs as well.

"My mom bought me Michael Jackson's album Off The Wall when I was 6, and I think it did me in permanently,” James recalls. “On top of that, my father would dub tapes for me of any new music he thought was worth getting into. He introduced me to Earth, Wind & Fire, Steely Dan, and Blood Sweat and Tears and, of course, all the jazz songs from the American Songbook. I honestly see myself as an evolution of him and those influences."

It was also through his father that James was introduced to many of the greatest musicians in jazz history—Duke Ellington, Sammy Davis Jr., Peggy Lee and Buddy Rich, among others. James is now poised to join the ranks of these legendary artists, as he continues to perform with major orchestras worldwide and delight audiences with his unique renditions of older jazz classics infused with the soul and R&B influences of today.

Hugh Heftner, founder of the Playboy Jazz Festival, sums up the feelings of many of James’ fans when he says, “James Tormé is a chip off the old block, and a mighty cool block it is.  His daddy would be proud.”

Meet James Tormé’s Award-Winning Trio:

Brandon Coleman (Piano)

Pianist Brandon Coleman and James Tormé often liken their artistic partnership to a “musical marriage”…not unlike the working relationship piano legend George Shearing shared with James’ father, Mel Tormé. Other musicians with whom Brandon has collaborated include trumpeter Roy Hargrove, keyboardist David Foster and singers Lauren Hill, Eric Benet, Brian McKnight, Renee Olstead and Toni Braxton, to name but a few. Brandon also starred on the series finale of Curb Your Enthusiasm as a member of R & B singer John Legend’s band.

Gene Coye (Drums)

Born and raised in Chicago, IL, Gene Coye began playing drums in church at age two. He remained a self-taught musician until he attended California Institute of the Arts, where he was mentored by jazz great, Joe La Barbera. While still a student at CalArts, Gene toured throughout the U.S, Europe and Canada with such renowned artists as Carlos Santana, The Salvador Santana Band, Los Lonely Boys, Robert Randolf and the Family Band and Ozomatli. Since that time, the drummer has performed alongside James Tormé with the New West Symphony, toured Mexico with Mars Volta sax player Adrian Terrezas and played with trumpeter Roy Hargrove and bassist Ray Brown.

Ryan Cross (Bass/Cello)

Since graduating from USC with a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies, cellist and bass player Ryan Cross has not lacked for gigs. He has performed with an array of artists including legendary performer Stevie Wonder, R&B singer John Legend, guitarist and singer John Mayer, jazz pianist Billy Childs, R&B singer and songwriter Macy Gray, Mystic, Fergie from The Black Eyed Peas, singer Bobby Brown, jazz trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, and trumpeter Maurice Brown. In addition, Ryan and his band, Cross Hart, were recently featured at the Playboy Jazz Festival.

Hollywood has taken note of the young musician as well. Ryan has appeared on such shows as The West Wing, Desperate Housewives, Friends, ER, Girlfriends and Eve. Most recently he starred on the series finale of Curb Your Enthusiasm, joining Tormé Trio band-mate Brandon Coleman to play bass behind John Legend.