Page 72 - Winter/Spring 2015 Issue

I’M A SOUL MAN:Last of the Soul Singers By: Cecile Anthony
A true gentleman with a soulful sound is what best describes James "Petawane" Burris. His sound is all soul. Petawane has the ability to captivate an audience from one to thousands. No room is ever too small or too big. His soul music can fill a room and lighten moods. His greatest joy was opening up for R. Kelly in the Bahamas in 2013.
Petawane is a 3 time Showtime At The Apollo winner and Bet/Centric TV Apollo Live Season 1 contestant and yet he is nothing but humble. He has had many releases, Tonight, Someone, I Need To Know, Shoe On the Other Foot, Meet Him One Day, just to name a few. This soul singer is steadfastly rising on the Reverbnation and is currently at #89, but knows he won’t be there long. You can tune in to the radio stations in New York and hear his record “Half Past Three” with Boogie Black being played.
Born and raised in New York (Harlem), Petawane (pronounced Pee- tah-wayne) began singing at the tender age of six. It was around that time he began putting on impromptu performances at the request of his Dad to entertain his friends. It was through his love for the music and the response he received each time he delivered a note that made him realize he wanted to be a performer. He has embarked on a mission to fulfill his dream ever since. One of his favorite songs is “Meet Him One Day” produced by Joey-O.
THIS HARLEM-BASED SINGER, SONGWRITER, PRODUCER AND ARRANGER PERFORMS INTERNATIONALLY.
In 1989 he did a song with Vonda Rae entitled “Very Special.” In 2012, he was blessed to open
up for R&B
singers, such as Joe, Me’lissa Morgan, Atlantic Starr and R&B crooner Freddie Jackson.
In 2013,
Petawane was
invited to the
Bahamas to
open up for R&B sensation R. Kelly. Petawane’s music is played in London, South Africa, Japan, India and is also being played and sold in other parts of the country.
While he is now performing and
pursuing his own musical career,
Petawane has been teaching music to
kids in Harlem and the Bronx for over
“I stay true to myself. I keep God first. I focus on me and my dreams and goals. I accept all curses as a blessing in disguise, because they don't break me, they only make me stronger.”
My mother is truly a
16 years. His love for music and being a beautiful woman, she has
father, allows him to enjoy the best of both worlds. He has a way of drawing in audiences of all ages with the depth and sincerity of his rich tenor.
Currently, Petawane is a member of TEAM FEARLESS and has been made a King in the Universal Zulu Nation. In 2015, we can expect new music from
shown me what a good woman is. She is the foundation of our family. If Iwastoputmy thoughts of her into one word it would be “AMAZING!”

this soulful singer as he also has just signed a deal with RFC Records/Fresh Entertainment.