James Genus was born in Hampton, Virginia on January 20, 1966. He started playing bass at the age of 13. After graduating from high school in 1983, he attended Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. During his last years at the University he studied and played with the renowned Ellis Marsalis. In 1987 he received a degree in Jazz Studies, after which he soon moved to New York. Since then he has been called upon to play either acoustic or electric bass in many different musical settings.

Among the many different groups that he has recorded or performed with include:

The Brecker Brothers, Roy Haynes, Horace Silver, Branford Marsalis, Greg Osby, David Sanborn, Don Pullen, Nat Adderley, Bob Berg, Bob James, and Steps Ahead.

Biography courtesy of Saudades Tourneen.