Iowa City’s James Tutson looks forward to headlining at The Englert Theatre

There’s nothing like headlining a concert at a favorite venue in your hometown. James Tutson is thrilled to perform Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at the Englert Theatre in Iowa City.

“I’m so ready for the excitement and pressure that comes with playing in my city,” Tutson said while driving around Iowa City. “I’ve played at the Englert several times in bands but for this to be my headlining show, well, it’s something special. People can see what I’m working on and how it has come together. I’ve been working so hard to get to this point.”

Tutson, 35, has certainly put the work in over the years. The soul singer-songwriter has paid his dues by playing gigs at the Wildwood Saloon, Big Grove Brewery and The Mill. The City High alum, class of ‘07, has cut his teeth on the festival circuit playing Party in the Park and the Harvest Festival.

Grinding it out has paid dividends for Tutson. His considerable ability landed a gig on the NBC music reality show “The Voice” in 2021. One of the highlights was how impressed singer-songwriter John Legend was after Tutson’s moving version of Leon Bridges’ “Beyond.”

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“That was just amazing,” Tutson said. “Getting advice about music from John Legend was just incredible. It was just the best experience. I’m so glad it happened. My wife and I joked about me being on the show and she said, ‘You should just go for it.’ The best part of it was being out in Los Angeles for a month being around all of these great musicians. I learned so much and came back home a better musician because of that experience. It helped me get in touch with my strengths and I learned not to limit myself with what I can create. The impact from that month in Los Angeles is still with me today.”

It appeared that Tutson was on a musical path while at City High. Tutson received a vocal performance scholarship to the University of Iowa but due to voice issues, Tutson switched to Child Life Therapy.

“I was dealing with (swollen lymph) nodes and I had a hard time singing as a freshman,” Tutson said. “I was thinking about going to medical school. I thought about working in a pediatric ward.”

But Tutson couldn’t leave music behind. While in his dorm he picked up a guitar and started playing songs.

“It took awhile for me to get back on my feet as a musician,” Tutson said. “I didn’t play any shows until I was a senior in college.”

It helped that Tutson’s pals believed in his musical ability.

“My friends started a kickstarter so I could afford to make my first album,” he said.

Tutson’s tunes are relatable and direct.

“I think soul music at its best is really simple,” Tutson said. “You convey what is in your heart. It doesn’t have to be complicated.”

The California native, who moved to Iowa City as a preschooler, grew up on such soul icons as Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Otis Redding and Sam Cooke

“Stevie is my all-time favorite but Bill Withers should be celebrated,” Tutson said. “Not enough people know about Bill Withers. But those guys are legends, who inspire me.”

Iowa City also inspires Tutson. As much as Tutson enjoyed his experience in Southern California during his “Voice” run, the affable tunesmith opts to remain in his hometown.

“It just feels like home here,” Tutson said. “My wife feels the same way. This is just the place where we want to be. There are a lot of great musicians here. I would like to make Iowa City this destination for songwriters. It’s a great place to be. And it has the Englert Theatre that I’m so excited to play.”

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