World-traveled rock-R&B-funk band Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps returns to headline the free Valencia Jazz & Blues concert on the street outside the Hyatt Regency Valencia tonight starting at 7 p.m.

Fronted by singer Teresa James and featuring Rhythm Tramps Paulie Cerra, Darrell Leonard, Herman Matthews, Billy Watts and Terry Wilson, the band will play choice tunes from their nine CDs.

Originally from Houston, Texas, James assembled her group from some of the top L.A. based touring and session musicians who have played with such legends as Taj Mahal, Tower of Power, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Burdon, Delbert McClinton and Jimmy Reed, just to name a few.

Referred to as a “singer’s singer” by no less a peer than Bonnie Raitt, James on her own has worked with Levon Helm, Randy Newman, Delbert McClinton, Leon Russell and lots of others.

Her last two albums were voted “Best Blues CD” in the Independent Music Awards, and her 2008 album “Bottom Line” scored a nomination from the Blues Foundation for “Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year.”

This week’s edition of the Valencia Jazz & Blues summer concert series is presented by NAI Capital, Audiology Associates, the Miss SCV Scholarship Program and Pet Me Happy Treats.

Food and beverage vendors include Salt Creek Grille, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Wolf Creek Brewery and Mystic Hills.

A portion of the proceeds from this week’s concessions will go to the non-profit Sebastian Velona Foundation

Series sponsors are Princess Cruises, Chiquita Canyon, the City of Santa Clarita, the Hyatt Regency Valencia, and the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Media sponsors include SCVTV, Inside SCV Magazine, the Magazine of Santa Clarita, Signal Multimedia and Stark Social Media.

For more information, visit the Valencia Jazz & Blues website.