Join Thea Danos and James Richardson as they celebrate timeless duets and classic songs from the great American songbook and beyond on September 12th at the Nashville Jazz Workshop. The concert begins at 7:30PM (doors at 7PM).
About the show:
Experience a captivating evening as NJW-favorite Thea Danos and award-winning singer & arranger James Richardson bring their rich, genre-blending artistry to the Nashville Jazz Workshop stage. With Thea’s smoky, bossa-infused elegance and James’s inventive jazz sensibilities, this duo promises a night of soulful storytelling, timeless melodies, and sonic magic.
About the artists:
Born and raised in Nashville, Thea Danos is a rare “old soul,” whose romantic, timeless style transports listeners to the smoky jazz clubs of mid-century New York and the sunlit rhythms of 1960s Brazil. Her sound blends the expressive richness of classic American jazz with the elegance and intimacy of bossa nova, creating a musical experience that is both nostalgic and deeply personal.
Influenced by legends such as Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Elis Regina, Thea brings warmth, clarity, and emotional nuance to every performance. A seasoned performer since age fifteen, she has sung around the world as both a lead and background vocalist and is a sought-after session singer in Nashville.
Her dedication to authenticity shines through in every note—particularly in her Brazilian repertoire, where she sings in Portuguese with heartfelt precision, the result of years of study and immersion in Brazilian culture. Whether interpreting jazz standards or bossa nova classics, Thea’s voice has been described as soft, sincere, and enveloping—delicate yet powerful, familiar yet new.
Thea Danos doesn’t just perform songs—she inhabits them, inviting audiences into a world of beauty, longing, and connection. Her performances are more than concerts—they are timeless journeys through the heart of jazz.
James Richardson is a celebrated jazz artist, arranger, studio vocalist, and songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee. James studied Jazz Studies at Western Michigan University, where he honed his craft and deepened his understanding of jazz theory and performance.
His artistry has garnered significant recognition, including a National Industry of Music Awards win for Best Jazz Album for Daydreams in 2024 and a Downbeat Magazine Award for Best Jazz Vocalist in 2016. James produced a benefit concert, Music City Without Borders, with musical colleague, Kristian Dambrino, at City Winery in May 2024 to support newly-settled refugees and the Nashville International Center for Empowerment, committed to bringing the community together. In December 2024, James was a featured arranger for Nashville In Harmony's 20th anniversary concert at the iconic Ryman Auditorium. Jacob Collier, has lauded James’ arranging style as “inventive and agile”.
Known for his captivating voice and innovative arrangements, James blends traditional jazz with contemporary influences, creating emotional and engaging performances while collaborating with fellow musicians in Nashville’s vibrant music scene.
“Rising talent James Richardson delivers vibrant yet emotive debut album Daydreams, leading us through a maze of a cohesive but kaleidoscopic musicality drawn from influences of his own life’s journey.”
— EARMILK Magazine
“James is one of those rare people who has it all going on - talent beyond measure, a uniquely compelling vocal sound, [and] an openness and creativity weaving through his singing and songwriting.”
— Peter Eldridge, Recording Artist
“The world will be a better place because of James singing his music into it. ”
— Sunny Wilkinson, Recording Artist
“James has the vocal chops and the heart to sing anything, and make it sound beautiful.”
— Neil Woodward, Recording Artist
