He anchors Memphis’ legendary soul collective The Bar-Kays – a gig he’s held for over a half century…

James Alexander had the good fortune not be on the plane that took the lives of four of his bandmates and Otis Redding, whom they were backing on that fateful tour in late 1967. He is the sole surviving member of the original Bar-Kays.  

As the Stax house-band beginning in 1968, James and the reconstituted Bar-Kays waxed seminal sides under their own name, along with classic platters by Isaac Hayes, Rufus Thomas, and Albert King, to cite a select few.   

The consummate pocket player, vocalist, and composer – Alexander was greatly inspired by the performers he first witnessed on Beale Street in the 1950s, namely B.B. King and Bobby “Blue Bland.” Their “Soul Finger” jam for Stax president Jim Stewart became their signature hit, and the rest as they say, is history….

James Alexander Sound & Vision

With the Bar-Kays…

“Soul Finger” https://youtu.be/BpI1fcJdFrA

“Holy Ghost” https://youtu.be/sJlAop6SyLI

“Let’s Have Some Fun” https://youtu.be/O8vwwjXX6Rg

“Coldblooded” https://youtu.be/q-k4XvwguGU

With Isaac Hayes…

“By The Time I Get to Phoenix” https://youtu.be/r_Kb607VNKM

“Theme from Shaft” https://youtu.be/0sx0KeTnTT4