José James, photo by Janette Beckman
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre Center presents acclaimed jazz singer José James in a special 50th anniversary tribute to Marvin Gaye's iconic album I Want You on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 7:30pm. This is one of only two exclusive performances nationwide.
James will be joined by Grammy‑nominated song stylist Lizz Wright and a world‑class band featuring guitarist Marcus Machado, bassist David Ginyard, and drummer Jharis Yokley. Together, they will bring fresh life to the lush arrangements and sensual grooves that made I Want You one of the most influential R&B albums of all time.
“José James and Lizz Wright bring a truly unique perspective to Marvin Gaye’s classic album, and we are thrilled to be among only two presenters nationwide for this extraordinary tribute. McCarter, along with Chicago Symphony Center, is delighted to welcome these artists and share this unforgettable music with our audiences,” said Paula Abreu, Director of Presented Programming, William Lockwood Jr. Chair.
Released in 1976, Gaye’s thirteenth studio album, I Want You, sold millions of copies and influenced generations of artists through its distinctive blend of jazz, funk, R&B, soul, and disco.
Tickets are available for purchase online or by calling Patron Services at (609) 258‑2787. McCarter Theatre is located at 91 University Place in Princeton, New Jersey.
José James - A jazz artist for the hip-hop generation, José James blends traditional and contemporary jazz with soul, funk, pop, rock, and hip-hop. A recipient of both the Edison Award and L’Académie du Jazz Grand Prix, James has collaborated with artists including Flying Lotus, Robert Glasper, Lalah Hathaway, Ledisi, Aloe Blacc, and Jason Moran. His performances span major venues worldwide, including The Kennedy Center, Hollywood Bowl, Ancienne Belgique, and Billboard Live Tokyo, and he has appeared as a guest artist with McCoy Tyner, Laura Mvula, Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.
Lizz Wright - Acclaimed vocalist and songwriter Lizz Wright is known for an inimitable voice The New York Times describes as “a smooth, dark alto possessed of qualities you might associate with barrel-aged bourbon or butter-soft leather.” Raised in Georgia, where she served as musical director in her father’s church, Wright has built a 20-year international career marked by emotional depth and expressive range. Her debut album, Salt (2003), topped Billboard’s contemporary jazz charts, followed by releases on Verve, UMG, and Concord, including Dreaming Wide Awake, The Orchard, Fellowship, Freedom & Surrender, and Grace.
Lizz Wright, photo by Hollis King
In 2020, Wright founded Chicago’s Carver 47 Food & Wellness Market. She later launched Blues & Greens Records, releasing the live album Holding Space and reclaiming ownership of her master recordings. Her 2024 studio album, Shadow, features collaborations with Angélique Kidjo and Meshell Ndegeocello.
McCarter is one of the country’s flagship theaters and a vibrant center for community and the performing arts. Located on the campus of Princeton University, the company is an independent nonprofit, serving as a nationally renowned, multi-disciplinary creative hub for arts and ideas, offering theatre, music, dance, spoken word, and educational programs for all ages.
A two-time Tony Award winner, McCarter’s legacy of artistic excellence dates back to its first performances in 1930. Our Town, You Can’t Take It with You, and Bus Stop all premiered at McCarter, paving the way for a long history of launching remarkable works that have gone on to tens of thousands of performances worldwide.
The company is equally revered for presenting global artists on its stages, including Yo-Yo Ma, Samara Joy, Hasan Minhaj, Jon Stewart, Caetano Veloso, Rhiannon Giddens, Patti Smith, Esperanza Spalding, Lake Street Dive, and Herbie Hancock. Of the 100,000 community members who engage with McCarter each year, more than 5,000 are students participating in educational programs in Princeton, Trenton, and schools across the region. McCarter leads with values of justice, joy, and beauty in belonging—creating a space where artists and audiences can come together to celebrate the power of live performance.
