James “Plunky” Branch (born July 20, 1947) is an American jazz saxophonist, composer, bandleader, and music & film producer known for blending jazz with funk, Afrocentric rhythms, and soul influences. He grew up in Richmond, Virginia, attended Columbia University, and in 1971 formed his first band Juju in San Francisco.
His music spans jazz, funk, Afrocentric grooves, R&B, and more, with a powerful blend of improvisation, rhythm, and cultural expression.
Over his decades-long career, Branch has, founded the band Plunky & Oneness (initially Juju, later Oneness of Juju), founded the independent label N.A.M.E. Brand Records (also cited as Black Fire Records in some histories), through which he’s released 20+ albums, worked as a studio musician, including for The Cosby Show, toured internationally, including in Europe and West Africa,
produced the documentary Under the Radar – A Survey of Afro-Cuban Music, served as an educator, teaching at Virginia Union University and Virginia Commonwealth University, and directed VUU’s jazz ensemble and received two NEA Jazz Fellowships, arts honors in Virginia, and recognition for contributions to music and cultural education.
Music
African Rhythms (with Oneness of Juju) – Black Fire, 1975
Space Jungle Luv (with Oneness of Juju) – Black Fire, 1976
Every Way But Loose / Make a Change (with Oneness of Juju) – Sutra, 1980
Electric Juju Nation / Keep It Moving – N.A.M.E. Brand, 1984
Tropical Chill – N.A.M.E. Brand, 1988
Move into the Light – N.A.M.E. Brand, 1990
One World One Music – N.A.M.E. Brand, 1992
Spiritual Sounds Within My Soul – N.A.M.E. Brand, 1993
Bush Brothers & Space Rangers (Oneness of Juju) – Black Fire, 1996
X Marks the Spot (Oneness of Juju) – Soulciety, 1996
Got to be Phunky – N.A.M.E. Brand, 2001
Got to Move Something – N.A.M.E. Brand, 2002
Live in Paris (with Oneness of Juju) – Corner Shop, 2006
Cold Heat – N.A.M.E. Brand, 2006
Drive It – N.A.M.E. Brand, 2008
A Message from Mozambique (as Juju) – Strata-East, 1973
Chapter Two: Nia (as Juju) – Strata-East, 1974
Live at 131 Prince Street – P-Vine, 2019 (archival)
Live at the East 1973 – Black Fire, 2019 (archival)