PLUNKY

James “Plunky” Branch is a masterful saxophonist, bandleader, composer, and educator whose five-decade career bridges gospel, R&B, jazz, Afro-funk, and modern hybrid soundscapes. Originally from Richmond, Virginia, he founded Juju in 1971 (later evolving into Oneness of Juju, now Plunky & Oneness) to merge the spiritual, rhythmic, and improvisational threads of African diasporic music.

Through his independent label N.A.M.E. Brand Records and co-founding Black Fire Records, he has released a substantial catalog blending jazz, Afrobeat, funk, and experimental textures while teaching Afro-American music history at Virginia Union University and serving as artist-in-residence across Virginia’s school systems. His latest album, Made Thru Ritual (July 2025, Strut Records), marks Oneness of Juju’s first international release in over 30 years—a nine-track journey of psychedelic jazz-funk consciousness built on beat demos by Jamal Gray (son of late Black Fire cofounder Jimmy Gray) that Plunky reimagines with live instrumentation, merging sampling, sequence, and spontaneous improvisation.

Honoring tradition while pushing into new sonic realms, Plunky continues to weave ritual, groove, and spiritual intention into performances that span generations and celebrate Black musical legacy. Through a non-exclusive partnership with Nero Sol Records, Plunky’s complete N.A.M.E. Brand Records discography is now available in one curated destination—discover Made Thru Ritual alongside decades of essential recordings, and save 15% on album and book bundles with code JUJUPLUNK at checkout.