Biography
James Martin and Erica Falls are two distinct New Orleans musicians who have collaborated and are frequently co-billed in the city's live music circuit — they are not a formal duo or named project. James Martin is a saxophonist, singer, and songwriter who grew up in Metairie and River Ridge, Louisiana. He attended NOCCA (New Orleans Center for Creative Arts) and became a founding member of Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews' band Orleans Avenue alongside Jon Batiste, spending seven years in the group and releasing three albums. He went on to earn a scholarship to Loyola University with a double major in Jazz Saxophone and Music Industries, eventually launching a solo career that produced the 2019 album Keep Movin', which debuted at #9 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart. His music has appeared on CBS's NCIS: New Orleans and HBO's Treme, and he is a regular performer at international jazz festivals across Europe and at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
Erica Falls is a neo-soul and R&B vocalist from New Orleans' Ninth Ward, the youngest of eight children in a musical family. Her mother was a church pianist and school teacher, and Falls discovered her voice singing in church before receiving formal vocal training from high school teachers. After debuting with a cover band on Bourbon Street in the 1990s, she transitioned to full-time music following her father's death in 2001. She built her reputation as a touring and session vocalist for major artists before becoming lead singer of beloved New Orleans funk band Galactic in 2019. Her 2024 album Emotions features the single "UP," which reached #24 on the Billboard R&B charts and #3 on the UK Solar Radio Soul Charts. She has been called the "Queen of New Orleans Neo-Soul," a title underscored by Cyril Neville's famous quote: "If red beans & rice could sing, they'd sound like Erica Falls."
The two artists' most notable collaboration is the track "Ear to Ear" on James Martin's 2024 album From Here., which also features Ivan Neville, Roger Lewis of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and Shamarr Allen. Erica Falls earned a Grammy Award in 2023 for Best American Roots Performance as a background vocalist and co-writer on "Stompin' Ground" by Aaron Neville and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Note: the genre tags "organic house" and "progressive house" in the database appear to be a Spotify misclassification — both artists work squarely in New Orleans R&B, soul, funk, and jazz.
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Fun Facts
- In 2018, Erica Falls launched Hen.E Sweets, a small food business selling cupcake-sized bread pudding and coconut pralines based on her grandmother's recipes, sold throughout New Orleans.
- Erica Falls appeared in Lee Daniels' 2013 film The Butler (starring Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey) as a singer — a decade before winning her Grammy.
- James Martin was a founding member of Trombone Shorty's Orleans Avenue band alongside Jon Batiste, long before either musician became a household name.
- Despite performing professionally since the 1990s, Erica Falls won a 'Best Emerging Artist' award at one point — something she has been known to joke about.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Allen Toussaint - Major mentor to Erica Falls — taught her about songwriting as a conversation with music. She toured as his backup vocalist. [2014–2019]
- Aaron Neville - Erica Falls performed and co-wrote on 'Stompin' Ground' with Aaron Neville and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, earning a 2023 Grammy Award. (Stompin' Ground (2023 Grammy Best American Roots Performance)) [2022–2023]
Key Collaborators
- Aaron Neville Dirty Dozen Brass - Erica Falls contributed as background vocalist and co-writer on 'Stompin' Ground,' winning the 2023 Grammy for Best American Roots Performance. (Stompin' Ground) [2022–2023]
Connection Network
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
James Martin/ Erica Falls has been played 2 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.