Reel To Reel: 1978: Revenge of the Dragon With José James at The Grammy Museum

 
The GRAMMY Museum is thrilled to welcome José James to the Museum’s intimate 200-seat Clive Davis Theater for a special screening of short film, Revenge Of The Dragon, discussion of the creative process behind his 13th studio album, 1978: Revenge of The Dragon, and a performance.
About 1978: Revenge of The Dragon
1978: Revenge of The Dragon (Rainbow Blonde Records) is the 13th studio album from José James, the jazz singer for the hip-hop generation. With this project, James explores the cultural landscape of his birth year, channeling the rebellious, underground spirit of the late 1970s. While its predecessor, 1978 (2024), evoked the glittering disco era of Studio 54, 1978: Revenge of The Dragon taps into the raw, countercultural energy of the Mudd Club—drawing inspiration from jazz fusion, kung fu cinema, and Blaxploitation films....

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The GRAMMY Museum is thrilled to welcome José James to the Museum’s intimate 200-seat Clive Davis Theater for a special screening of short film, Revenge Of The Dragon, discussion of the creative process behind his 13th studio album, 1978: Revenge of The Dragon, and a performance.
About 1978: Revenge of The Dragon
1978: Revenge of The Dragon (Rainbow Blonde Records) is the 13th studio album from José James, the jazz singer for the hip-hop generation. With this project, James explores the cultural landscape of his birth year, channeling the rebellious, underground spirit of the late 1970s. While its predecessor, 1978 (2024), evoked the glittering disco era of Studio 54, 1978: Revenge of The Dragon taps into the raw, countercultural energy of the Mudd Club—drawing inspiration from jazz fusion, kung fu cinema, and Blaxploitation films.
The album is accompanied by a classic kung fu short film, Revenge of The Dragon, executive produced by José James and Talia Billig. Written by James and co-directed with Joseph Digiovanna, the film expands on the album’s themes through a cinematic lens.
About José James
José James is both conductor and conduit. Across 17 years as a singer, songwriter, bandleader, and producer — not to mention co-head of the fearless Rainbow Blonde Records since 2018 — he’s dived deep, over and over again, into genres, eras, scenes, and songbooks, exploring with the verve of a reverent musicologist, and then churning it all up with the confidence of a master practitioner. Blessed with a silken baritone that sounds classic against any backdrop, James first turned heads on his 2008 debut The Dreamer by subtly swirling contemporary jazz with hip-hop instrumentation. As it turned out, mixing those two fluid, frenetic, and frequently time-travelling strains set off a deeply soulful discography that knows no bounds. There was his stunning Blue Note breakthrough No Beginning No End (2013), recorded with fellow genre upsetters like Pino Palladino and Robert Glasper. There was an album of standards, For All We Know (2010); the rock-addled While You Were Sleeping (2014); and that time he ditched the bands and became a modern R&B star for Love in a Time of Madness (2017). He’s also taken a Method approach to covers projects — even matching his wardrobe to his subjects’ worlds — like 2015’s Yesterday I Had the Blues (Billie Holiday), 2018’s Lean On Me (Bill Withers), and 2023’s On & On (Erykah Badu). He’s released dynamic live LPs, a Christmas set, and a four-album series inspired by hooky, funky, disco-dipped songcraft of the ’70s, culminating in his latest, 1978: Revenge of the Dragon (2025). That last one is as immediate, unpredictable, and vibrant as anything James has made, affirming the mantra in the lead single’s title: “They Sleep, We Grind.”

BAG POLICY: please note that only bags 9 inches x 6 inches and smaller will be allowed for this event. Vinyl, memorabilia, gifts, etc. will also not be allowed inside the building.  

Member Check - In: 6:00pm

Nonmember Check - In / Doors: 6:30pm

Show Time: 7:00pm

American Express® Card Members can purchase tickets from Thu 4/10 10:30AM through Sat 4/12 11AM.
 
 
American Express® Card Members have access to purchase Amex Presale Tickets for select events and select seats, during a specified period prior to the general on-sale dates for those events. Tickets must be purchased using an American Express Card. An American Express Prepaid Card cannot be used to purchase tickets. Amex Presale Tickets are sold by and fulfilled by third party ticket sellers (not American Express), and such tickets are subject to the rules, terms and conditions, prices and fees set by the ticket seller, event promoter and/or the venue. Amex Presale Tickets are subject to availability and supply may be limited. Not all seats may be offered; purchase limits and blackout dates may apply. Refunds, exchanges, and resale may be prohibited by the ticket seller. For more information, please visit https://americanexpress.com/entertainment.

BAG POLICY: please note that only bags 9 inches x 6 inches and smaller will be allowed for this event. Vinyl, memorabilia, gifts, etc. will also not be allowed inside the building.   

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The holder of this ticket is granted admission to the indicated facility for the purpose of viewing the specified event. This ticket is for use by the holder only and the holder is bound by this policy. This ticket is not transferable and may not be sold, otherwise conveyed or used for any other purpose, including promotion or commercial, without the prior written consent of The Recording Academy. If this ticket is sold, otherwise conveyed or used in violation of this policy, it will be deemed revoked and void, and its holder deemed a trespasser at all Recording Academy events. This ticket is a revocable license and admission may be refused by refunding the face amount of the ticket or ejection may occur for failure to comply with any facility rule. The holder agrees not to transmit or aid in transmitting any description, picture, recording or reproduction of the event. The holder acknowledges that the event may be captured and recorded by audio, audiovisual, and/or photographic means, and hereby grants permission to utilize the holder’s image and/or voice in any and all media now known or hereafter devised to further the interests and mission of the Recording Academy. It is unlawful to reproduce this ticket in any form. The Holder assumes all risks incidental to the event, whether occurring prior to, during or after the event, and releases the facility, management, all participants and each of their affiliates, employees, officers, directors, members, partners, owners, managers, sponsors, contractors and agents from any loss, damage or expense resulting from any such risk. The Recording Academy reserves all legal rights and remedies. Save money on ticketing fees next time by becoming a GRAMMY Museum member! More info at grammymuseum.org.


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