Jose James

7 p.m. Tue.-Wed. • Dakota Jazz Club • $35

Minneapolis-reared, Brooklyn-based James has earned a sterling reputation for his innovative melding of jazz, R&B, electronica and hip-hop. Last year’s “While You Were Sleeping” had harder edges, with some indie-rock urges, than his outstanding “No Beginning No End,” an old-soul album with new ideas that ranked as my top album of 2013. The super-talented singer is experimenting again this year with “Yesterday I Had the Blues: The Music of Billie Holiday,” due in March. He’ll preview the album in front of friends, family and mentors. Jon Bream