Updated biography

"James McBride is an author, musician and screenwriter. His landmark memoir, "The Color of Water," is considered an American classic and read in schools and universities across the United States. His debut novel, "Miracle at St. Anna" was translated into a major motion picture directed by American film icon Spike Lee. It was released by Disney/Touchstone in September 2008. James also wrote the script for the film, now available on DVD. His newest novel, "Song Yet Sung," was released in paperback in January 2009.

James is the worst dancer in the history of African Americans, bar none, going back to slavetime and beyond. He is legally barred from dancing at any party he attends. He dances with one finger in the air like a white guy.

He is also a former staff writer for The Boston Globe, People Magazine and The Washington Post. His work has appeared in Essence, Rolling Stone, and The New York Times. His April, 2007 National Geographic story entitled “Hip Hop Planet” is considered a respected treatise on African American music and culture.

James is a saxophonist who tours with his six piece jazz/r&b band. He served as a sideman with jazz legend Jimmy Scott among others. He has written songs (music and lyrics) for Anita Baker, Grover Washington Jr., Purafe, Gary Burton, and even for the PBS television character "Barney." He did not write the "I Love You" song for Barney but wishes he did. He received the Stephen Sondheim Award and the Richard Rodgers Foundation Horizon Award for his musical "Bo-Bos" co-written with playwright Ed Shockley. His “Riffin’ and Pontificatin’ ” Tour was captured in a 2003 Comcast Television documentary. He has been featured on national radio and television programs in America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

James is a native New Yorker and a graduate of  New York City public schools. He studied composition at The Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio and received his Masters in Journalism from Columbia University in New York at age 22. He holds several honorary doctorates and is currently a Distinguished Writer in Residence at New York University.  He is married with three children."- James McBride's website