Morgan James

Morgan James (born November 24, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She has appeared in numerous Broadway shows, including Motown: The Musical, Godspell, and The Addams Family. Her first studio album, Hunter, was released by Epic Records in November 2014.

James was born Morgan Grunerud in Boise, Idaho, the daughter of educators and actors Allen Grunerud and Shellie Harwood. The family moved frequently when James was a child, going from Idaho to Utah, Tennessee, and eventually Modesto, California where she spent her high school years. James was inspired by her actor parents to enter the performing arts, and she joined a choir while in middle school. Her grandmother also bought her a karaoke machine and agreed to pay for singing lessons until James went to college.

James attended high school at Peter Johansen High School in Modesto. She graduated in 1999 and was quickly accepted to The Juilliard School in New York City at age 18. There, she studied opera, and eventually earned her Bachelor of Music in Voice in 2003. In college, James also took a master class headed by Broadway veteran Barbara Cook.

After college, James initially struggled to find work and looked for jobs that utilized both her operatic and classical training. James did not make her Broadway debut until 2010 in the musical production of The Addams Family, starring Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth. In 2011, James appeared in Frank Wildhorn's Wonderland and the Broadway revival of Godspell. James sprained her ankle in a rehearsal for Godspell in October 2011 and was unable to perform during previews. She recuperated and, by November 2011, was performing in the musical at the Circle in the Square Theatre. In 2013, James took on the role of Teena Marie in Motown: The Musical. She stayed with the cast until December 2013, at which point she left to pursue a vocal performance tour.

During her time on Broadway, she also moonlighted as a solo artist, with a backing band often composed of Chris Fenwick, Matt Fieldes, Damien Bassman, among others. She has played at numerous New York City clubs, including (Le) Poisson Rouge, 54 Below, Rockwood Music Hall, and Birdland. Her first solo album, Morgan James Live: A Celebration of Nina Simone, was recorded at New York jazz club, Dizzy's, and is a collection of Nina Simone cover songs. It was released via Epic Records in December 2012.

Her second solo album (and first studio album), Hunter, was recorded in 2014 and first released via Epic Records in June 2014. The 11-track album was produced by Doug Wamble and is James' first album of all solo material.

Since 2014 James collaborates with Postmodern Jukebox, producing several cover songs on their YouTube channel and joining them on tour.

Besides touring with PMJ, she undertook a solo tour with her band during the summer and fall of 2015, and had scheduled tour dates well into 2016.

Albums

Singles