Morgan James brings her soulful sound home to Modesto

Morgan James left Modesto as a teenager to pursue a career in music, beginning with studies in opera at the prestigious Juilliard School.

She left armed with experience in local productions, including roles with Townsend Opera and Modesto Performing Arts.

On Tuesday, the soulful songstress returns with a handful of Broadway shows under her belt and two albums of music for a show at the State Theatre in downtown Modesto.

“I’ve been wanting to come back and do a show in Modesto,” the 1999 Johansen High School grad said in an email interview. “The scheduling and bookings are typically out of my control, so I was so happy when it came to be. I always wanted to do a show at the State.”

Since moving to New York, James has been in four Broadway shows (“Motown the Musical,” “Godspell,” “Wonderland” and “The Addams Family”).

Her hometown stop comes as she tours in support of her latest album, “Hunter,” a collection of neo-soul pop songs released in 2014, including several tracks that she co-wrote. It’s the first studio release from the actress and singer; her first album, “Morgan James Live: A Celebration of Nina Simone,” captures her singing at New York jazz club Dizzy’s in a show that paid tribute to one of her idols.

James is working on a third album. She touched on that, her career, current tour and more:

Q:What can people expect from the Modesto show?

A: I’m bringing my amazing band from New York City, and I am going to be singing from my album “Hunter,” plus a couple covers as well.

Q: Explain the tour you’ve been on ... who are you appearing with and what have been some highlights?

A: I’ve been so lucky to be touring with a band called Postmodern Jukebox, traveling Europe and the U.S. I have done several videos for their (very popular) YouTube channel, and it has been incredible to gain a whole new fan base and travel with them.

Q: Describe your musical style.

A: My musical style is soul, with a blues foundation, sprinkled with a little R&B.

Q: When did you begin to sing?

A: I started to sing in choir at La Loma Junior High School and started to take voice lessons with Dawn Peterson soon after. (My choir teachers were Mr. Haire and Phil Smallwood.)

Q: When did you know you wanted to make it a career?

A: I knew by freshman year of high school (at Johansen) that I wanted a career in music and theater.

Q: Were you in any productions or shows in Modesto growing up?

A: Oh yes! I learned so much at Townsend Opera Players (where I did my very first shows: “Song of Norway,” “The Secret Garden”) and Modesto Performing Arts (“Bye Bye Birdie,” “A Little Night Music”) in the summers. In addition to doing high school theater and choir, of course.

Q: Who are some of your idols in music?

A: Nina Simone, D’Angelo, Joni Mitchell, Aretha Franklin, Prince, Stevie Wonder.

Q: What was it like to leave and pursue your career in New York?

A: Well, I left Modesto right after high school to attend the Juilliard School, and I was so excited and ready. But tough times were ahead for sure. I really thought it would be easy to pursue a career in musical theater when I graduated, and it really wasn’t. I was faced with many years of rejection, self-doubt and multiple side jobs – which ultimately really made me the artist I am today. It has been nonlinear, to say the least.

Q: What was your biggest break?

A: They come in waves, really. There is never one magic bullet that makes or breaks, like you think there will be. Getting into Juilliard was a break, booking my first Broadway show was a break. And meeting Berry Gordy Jr. was perhaps the most influential meeting of my career thus far. (Gordy’s life story is the subject of Broadway show “Motown: The Musical,” in which Morgan was cast as Teena Marie; his influence helped lead to her signing with Epic Records.)

Q: Are you pleased with how things have been progressing?

A: Oh yes! The fact that I get to make music and travel for a living is just incredible.

Q: What’s next for you after this tour?

A: I will be touring off and on for the summer, (coming back to California again in July) and beginning to write and work on my next record.

Q: Are you looking to get back on the Broadway stage?

A: I don’t know! I would love to return to it. But I can’t tour my music and do a Broadway show at the same time – schedules just won’t allow it. Being on Broadway is a very demanding, all encompassing job; you can’t do it on the side. But life is long, and I will always be connected to my roots in theater.

Q: How often do you get back to Modesto?

A: My parents don’t live in Modesto anymore (they moved east when I was in college), so I don’t get back as often as I would like. But I try to make a visit once a year when I visit Northern California to see friends.

Q: Do you enjoy returning to perform?

A: I love it! I am really looking forward to seeing old friends, teachers and family. I can’t wait to show the band around and take them to my fave spots. Such great memories.

Q: What else would you like Modesto readers to know about you and your show?

A: I thank everyone in advance for coming out to hear and support new music. I will have albums, posters and T-shirts with me, and I will be around after the show to say hello and see everyone.

This story was originally published June 10, 2015 at 4:13 PM with the headline "Morgan James brings her soulful sound home to Modesto."