Ganessa James

“I think I was born loving music.”

Singer, songwriter, guitar and electric bassist Ganessa James makes irresistible music. She has over 20 years experience playing bass in soul, funk, and rock music bands. Most recently, her musical journey has enfolded her in the beautiful family of Allison Russell’s Rainbow Coalition. She currently tours with Allison playing guitar and bass. She had the honor of playing bass on several songs on Allison’s record ‘The Returner’. She was also part of the performance that won the 2024 GRAMMY award for best American Roots performance, Allison’s offering of ‘Eve Was Black’ at the American Awards. She is overjoyed to be in collaboration with Allison and the expansive family of musicians in the Rainbow Coalition.

Ganessa got her start on the independent music scene in Brooklyn, where, while playing bass for funk/rock band blaKbushe, she was tapped to join Saul Williams on a North American tour: playing stages from the Wiltern in Los Angeles to Coachella. She has toured internationally as a bassist, guitarist and vocalist with composer Tamar-Kali and the Black Rock Coalition Songwriters Tribute. She began working with Toshi Reagon in 2009 and continues to record and play in a selection of Toshi’s many incredible projects – she’s honored to be a part of the BIGLovely family. Ganessa is also one half of Onliest, a project co-created with her twin sister Tiffany James. Their performances feature harmony driven duets laced with the impish, spontaneous quality born of a lifelong connection and obsession with music.

Ganessa is deeply committed to working in collaboration with other artists and to supporting social justice with her art. She has co-written music with sound-healer Gina Breedlove, recorded on Dan Zanes Leadbelly project, and played bass at the 2017 Women’s March on Washington, bak artists including the Indigo Girls, Maxwell and Alicia Keys. She has collaborated with educator/activist Micia Mosely (of the Black Teacher Project) fundraising for local theatres and creating performance space for younger artists. She is a staunch supporter of the Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, a New York City home for incredibly diverse arts programming.