James vickery biography

Who is James Vickery? A Brief Career Overview

James Vickery, the dynamic face of UK contemporary R&B, has quickly made a name for himself in the music scene as a talented singer and songwriter. Known for his exceptional vocal prowess and captivating performances, Vickery burst onto the global stage with his stunning COLORS session, which garnered over 32 million views, demonstrating his strong resonance with audiences worldwide. His music uniquely blends contemporary R&B rhythms with emotive storytelling, a combination that has set him apart in a saturated genre and captivated listeners everywhere.

Vickery's remarkable journey includes the release of his independent EP, Sheet Music, which marked a significant moment in his career, solidifying his status as a rising star. His connection to vinyl culture can be seen through his commitment to delivering high-quality releases that resonate with both fans and collectors. As industry professionals take notice, James Vickery is well on his way to becoming a transformative figure in music, bringing the soulful richness of R&B to a new generation through his artistry.

James Vickery's Early Life and Background

James Vickery was born into a family that cherished the soulful echoes of music, serving as an early introduction to the power of sound. Growing up immersed in a supportive environment, Vickery's love for music blossomed during his formative years in the UK. Despite facing challenges, including being deaf in one ear, his passion only grew stronger. These early experiences fostered a deep appreciation for the art of music, especially the tangible connection that vinyl records offer.

His upbringing was rich with influences, from family jams featuring classic R&B artists to local concerts that inspired his creative vision. Vickery's encounter with vinyl records at a young age ignited a lifelong fascination; he often found himself digging through crate

Ralph Millis

Jim was a tremendously nice guy and a real professional.  In one of our conversations in Korea, he told me things about Faulkner -- the subject of my dissertation -- that I had never discovered or even considered.  A true Marylander.

Ken, Kevin is correct.  The China trip we were on was the second one Joe Arden created (Dec. '79 -- Jan. 80).  The bar in the Shanghai hotel WAS a hoot.  The bar had recently reopened because of the expected influx of foreign visitors (of which our group among the first) after the death of Mao and the subsequent, tentative Western  "Opening" to the PRC.  The bartender was an old fellow who had worked there prior to the revolution and spoke four or five languages he had picked up slinging drinks for the Westerners on the Bund back then.  He was inordinately proud of the few bottles of scotch, bourbon and gin displayed behind the bar.  He was like a character from a Maugham or Waugh novel.

Kevin, here are some of the other members of the China group:  Al Berger (who arrived in China a committed Marxist and by the time we left was fulminating against Communist bureacracy and inefficiency); Matt Lamberti, a true Asiaphile ,whose back, according to Kate Pulling, appeared in virtually all her photographs because he was always the first one off the bus and hogged the first place in all the lines to the museum exhibits, etc.;  Matt's wife Irene visiting from the States also was along; Jan Brown (a local Maryland lecturer and travel writer from Misawa); Jan's husband, John, an AF LTC and the Misawa base comptroller;  and an AF officer and an Army officer who ostensibly had signed up for the trip after seeing it advertised in the Stars and Stripes.  Actually, by the end of the trip it was universally agreed these two officers, both nice guys, by the way, were really along in disguised official capacities to make sure the Marylanders were n

Behind James Vickery's left ear is a tiny tattoo, barely noticeable until he turns to point it out.

The inking is of a mute icon, a small speaker with a cross next to it, as you would see on a computer or a phone when switching the volume off; a simple image that neatly symbolises the 27-year-old's story.

In and out of hospital with ear infections as a child, he was eventually, at the age of eight, diagnosed with a growth of abnormal skin cells called a cholesteatoma. While the tumour wasn't cancerous his case was severe, doctors said, and it was growing towards his brain; his parents were told that without treatment to remove his eardrum he might only have two months to live.

Surgery went well, but inevitably left Vickery completely deaf in that ear. Unable to distinguish the volume and pitch of his voice, he struggled with his speech and a vocal coach was brought in to help. It was through these sessions he found his voice; not just in conversation, but the distinctive, soulful singing voice that has now seen him hailed as a new face of UK R'n'B.

"[My parents] took me to a vocal coach and they wanted me to learn how to basically speak again," he tells Sky News. "A good way is actually by singing because it engages your diaphragm. So we did that and my singing teacher was like, 'you can sing, you can actually sing well'. I'd always loved singing but because of the trauma of the operation I could never do it.

"I spoke so softly. I'm still quite softly spoken…" He pauses and grins. "Actually, no, I'm a bit gobby now, but I was quite softly spoken when I was a child. I was really unconfident because no one could ever hear me speak and so credit to my vocal coach, she really taught me how to not only speak louder, but become a bigger person, you know, really fill the room with your voice. That's something I try and have now in my songs. All the singe