Atlanta’s own rock royalty James “Big Jaye” Nelson was discovered in 1987 by the “Architect of Rock-n-Roll” Little Richard in Hollywood, Ca. After pleading for an autograph and then giving an impromptu song & dance audition he was hired as a featured dancer/background singer.

 

Big Jaye’ went on to tour the world for over 20 years with Little Richard ultimately leading to him being filmed with the rock icon in the film archives at the Rick-n-Roll Hall of Fame. He co-created the funk-rock band Jaye’ Swift & Company Inc. that saw modest success in the Southeastern region of the US. In the latter part of the 90’s he moved to Europe. Headquartering out of Bredsten, Denmark and Budapest, Hungary he toured the continent for over 8 months eventually changing the band’s name to Sexxxy Cirkus. This band was a highly in demand act on the European concert and festival circuit. He returned stateside a more polished, experienced and confident frontman.

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He delivered “The Sermon“ on Stuck Mojo’s 1996 hit PIGWALK LP. His 2018 solo debut “Wings of My Soul” by his band Poetry Thieves went to #1 for 3 weeks on All Access Rock radio charts and #1 for a week on their Pop charts. The song also topped the indie radio charts in Australia and Brazil respectively, while peaking at #6 on Radio Indie Alliance Top 10 in the UK. Big Jaye’s distinctively unique tenor vocals and exceptional songwriting (voted as one of the 20 most gifted up and coming songwriters in America by ASCAP in 2000) makes him a sure and able co-lead singer to carry on the legacy for the newly formed Little Richard’s Band.