Joe's Pub Welcomes James Jackson Jr. and LaDonna Burns in THE BLACK-UPS: BLACK HISTORY, 2/8

Joe's Pub welcomes back Performance Artist, interpreter of tight-jeans, and neighborhood soul man, James Jackson, Jr. as he teams with long-time friend and hair-changing Diva-About-Town, LaDonna Burns (Rent Nat'l Tour, Seussical Nat'l Tour) as America's favorite lead singer-less back-up duo, "The Black-Ups", in a musical, historical, and sass-filled romp through the shortest and Blackest month of the year.

After stepping out from behind soul music sensation "Becky & The Whiteboys", "The Black-Ups" have embarked on their own musical journey, and released the sure-fire hit album "Baby, You Can Shuck While I Jive". Check out their first concert as they break out on their own and tell some of the history that "Got Us In This Mess To Begin With".

With the sexiest soul band in town, lead by the multi-talented, ever-charming Elliot Roth, The Black-Ups: "Black History" takes your soul on a much-needed & long overdue journey.

Lover of tight jeans, too much jewelry, and good soul-searching music, the diamond-hearted, sharp-witted, Boston native Mr. Jackson was undergraduately reared by lesbians in the New England Berkshires after artistically growing up on the south shore of Massachusetts under the soul-food tutelage of a deep southern family. The shoes; Birkenstocks. The music; Indigo, Simone, Franklin, & Difranco. The relationships; many, lost, and strong.

Deposited in New York City over a decade ago & the real work began. Dance belts, regional stage yelts, never fitting in with the in-crowd, a team of demanding Brits, and even a rather unfortunate stop in Branson, Missouri all lead to his discovery of artistic truth on prestigious stages like Radio City Music Hall and Carnegie Hall. His highly emotional, devastatingly funny cabaret act has been seen at Joe's Pub, 54 Below, Duane Park, DROM, The A.R.T.'s Club Oberon, and Los Angeles' Lyric Theatre. James' razor-sharp wit, unique sense of humor, talent and on & off stage persona have become an artistic force to be reckoned with as well as a voice people want to hear as he changes the face of the concert stage.