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James Valentine (guitarist)

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James Valentine
Valentine with Maroon 5 in 2016
Valentine with Maroon 5 in 2016
Background information
Born
James Burgon Valentine

(1978-10-05) October 5, 1978 (age 48)
Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • Songwriter
  • Composer
InstrumentGuitar
Years active1996–present
Member ofMaroon 5
Formerly of
Spouse
Alexis Novak
​
(m. 2023)​

James Burgon Valentine (born October 5, 1978)[1] is an American musician who is the lead guitarist and backing vocalist for the Pop rock band Maroon 5.[2]

Early life

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Valentine was born in Lincoln, Nebraska.[3] He was raised as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and has three sisters and one brother.[4] His mother is a former beauty queen, who was a school teacher before becoming a stay-at-home mom to raise her five children.[5] His younger sister, Amanda Valentine, has been a contestant on Project Runway two times starring in Season 11 and Season 13, as well as Project Runway All Stars once in Season 6.[6] James is an Eagle Scout and was the president of his high school Lincoln Southeast High School's student council in Lincoln, Nebraska.[7][8] He left before graduating (had one semester left per an interview he did) from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and attended Berklee College of Music.[9][10]

In addition to guitar, Valentine is also a percussionist, playing in orchestra and jazz band in his youth.[11][12]

Career

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Valentine played in Lincoln bands: Montag, Kid Quarkstar, Mondello and Happy Dog.[13][14] In 2000, Happy Dog changed its name to Square and he moved to Los Angeles from Anaheim, California, where he taught private guitar lessons out of his home.[15] Valentine had also played with Reel Big Fish, firstly when guitarist Aaron Barrett broke his hand in 2000,[16][17] and later in 2001, when Barrett fell down some stairs.[18] Valentine displayed a picture from one Reel Big Fish show he played during Maroon 5's appearance on MTV Cribs.[19] Eventually the members of Square and Kara's Flowers became friends and when Adam Levine, Jesse Carmichael, Mickey Madden and Ryan Dusick began looking for another guitarist, Valentine was approached.[20][21] Personal tensions in Square helped the decision to join the band and shortly afterward, Kara's Flowers became Maroon 5.[21][22]

Valentine is a friend of John Mayer, whom he met in 1996 at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.[23][24] Valentine once tried to get Mayer to move to Lincoln to play guitar for the Lincoln blues rock band Baby Jason and the Spankers.[25] An opening slot on Mayer's 2003 summer tour helped bring widespread exposure to Maroon 5.[23] Valentine contributed guitar work to Mayer's September 2006 release Continuum on the songs "Stop This Train" and "In Repair."[26]

Valentine also played guitar on Jenny Lewis' 2006 solo album, Rabbit Fur Coat with The Watson Twins and has appeared in her music video for the first single, "Rise Up with Fists!!".[27][28] Valentine was featured on a cover version of the Maroon 5 song "Sunday Morning", performed by Caleb Chapman's Crescent Super Band with singer Madi Christensen from the group's album Don't Look Down (2014).[29][30]

In 2016, Valentine partnered with Ernie Ball Music Man to release his signature "Valentine" electric guitar.[31]

In 2024, James Valentine composed the original score for the short film American Cancer Story, directed by José Padilha. The film addresses issues related to childhood cancer and gun violence in the United States. Valentine, stated that he was “drawn to this project because I've been concerned about these two issues for a very long time.” [32] The project received recognition at the Clio Awards for its creative execution, with Valentine's score included as part of the awarded work.[33]

Mayor of Lincoln Leirion Gaylor Baird announced in October 2025, ahead of a concert by the band at Pinnacle Bank Arena, that a stretch of Canopy Street in the city’s Railyard would temporarily be renamed “James Valentine Blvd" after Valentine, a Lincoln native and Maroon 5 guitarist. Signs marking the event were put up through Oct. 29.[34][35]

Phases

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Phases (originally called JJAMZ) was a supergroup composed of Valentine, Jason Boesel (Rilo Kiley/Conor Oberst), Alex Greenwald (Phantom Planet), Michael Runion (solo), and Z Berg (The Like).[36][37] The group was started at karaoke night at Guys in Hollywood.[37] The band name was an acronym using the first letter of each member's name and was means of escape from each member's respective bands. "[Phases] started at an interesting time in all of our lives. We all needed some kind of escape from relationships or our other bands. It was a tumultuous time, and the lyrics just came out. It was like word vomit. I can't remember." said Z Berg, lead vocalist for the Like.[38] The band played their first concert at the Echo Plex on January 27, 2009.[39] They released their debut album Suicide Pact on July 10, 2012.[40] Later, Valentine left the band due to work with Maroon 5 and the band changed their name to Phases, before quietly going on hiatus the following year, followed by a one-off reunion in 2021.[41][42][43]

Personal life

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Valentine was reportedly in a relationship with singer Katy Perry around 2010.[44]

He has worked with the non-profit organization Reverb since 2005 to promote environmental sustainability in the music industry.[2] His efforts include traveling to Guatemala and Peru to advocate against illegal logging and for responsibly sourced wood in instrument manufacturing.[45]

Valentine married yoga instructor Alexis Novak, founder of the vintage clothing company Tab Vintage on February 6, 2023. The couple have been in a relationship since at least 2018. Their marriage received congratulations from figures including John Mayer, Ryan Tedder, and model Behati Prinsloo, the wife of Valentine’s bandmate Adam Levine.[46][47]

Outside of his work with Maroon 5, James Valentine has expressed an interest in pickleball. He began playing the sport while in Las Vegas for a band residency, having previously played tennis. He has described pickleball as appealing due to its social nature and the sense of “flow” experienced during play, and has participated in celebrity pickleball-related events.[48]

Discography

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Other albums, on which Valentine has played

Filmography

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Composer

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  • American Cancer Story (2024) (short film)[50]

Songwriter

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Guitarist

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References

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  1. ↑ Karina, Naomi (2025-07-10). "Meet the members of Maroon 5: a look at the band's current and former members - Legit.ng". Legit.ng. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  2. 1 2 "James Valentine • REVERB". Reverb.org. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  3. ↑ Tobias, Mike; Producer, Senior; Olberding, Matt; Media, News director Nebraska Public. "Maroon 5 guitarist leaves Lincoln with more than memories". Nebraska Public Media (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  4. ↑ "James Valentine". Latter-day Saint Musicians. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  5. ↑ Chomel-Bailey, Lorraine (2015-11-23). "BYU employee promotes education while singing to Maroon 5". BYU Daily Universe. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  6. ↑ "Amanda & James Valentine". Huskeralum.org. Retrieved September 6, 2026.
  7. ↑ Wendell, Bryan (January 8, 2015). "Maroon 5 guitarist James Valentine is an Eagle Scout". Bryan on Scouting. Boy Scouts of America.
  8. ↑ "City Honors James Valentine with Street Renaming". www.lincoln.ne.gov. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  9. ↑ Ziskey, Livia (2025-10-27). "Lincoln's newest boulevard welcomes home Maroon 5 guitarist". JournalStar.com. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  10. ↑ Tessa Jeffers (2003-10-14). "Lincoln student takes off with band's success". The Daily Nebraskan. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  11. ↑ "BYU home to Maroon 5 parents". BYU Daily Universe. 2005-04-11. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  12. ↑ "Maroon 5's James Valentine: Minimalist Funk, a Love of Improv, and His Signature Music Man - inSync". inSync. 2017-12-19. Archived from the original on 2017-12-28. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  13. ↑ Schulte, Bret (2006-06-16). "Dual shows bid farewell to Kid Quarkstar". The Daily Nebraskan. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  14. ↑ "James Valentine Story - Bio, Facts, Home, Family, Net Worth | Famous Mucisian". Successstory.com. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  15. ↑ [dead link]
  16. ↑ Reel Big Fish Feat. James Valentine of Maroon 5 on Guitar. 2022-03-27. Retrieved 2024-09-03 – via YouTube.
  17. ↑ Neal J. Leitereg; Jack Flemming. "A Midcentury move for Maroon 5's James Valentine". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  18. ↑ "James Valentine Striking A Chord". Ernie Ball. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  19. ↑ MTV Vault (2020-09-14). Maroon 5's 2004 House Tour | MTV Cribs. Retrieved 2026-02-08 – via YouTube.
  20. ↑ Rosen, Craig (June 5, 2005), "Gold 5". Billboard. 117 (23):
  21. 1 2 Greenhaus, Mike (April 23, 2020). "TBT: Maroon 5's Thoughts On Phish". Relix. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Square". Maroonmusic.com. Retrieved September 6, 2026.
  23. 1 2 Hoard, Christian 2004-06-10, "A Whiter Shade of Funk". Rolling Stone (950):
  24. ↑ "Meet Maroon 5". Reading Eagle. 2015-08-20. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  25. ↑ Borges, Christine (2010-08-19). "Q&A with Maroon 5 Guitarist James Valentine, Playing Bayfront Amphitheater Today". Miami New Times. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  26. ↑ "Interview with Mihir Joshi | JohnMayer.info". johnmayer.info. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  27. ↑ Merkel, Ralph (2006-01-31). "CD REVIEW: Jenny Lewis Rabbit in a Fur Coat". The Louisville Cardinal. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  28. ↑ "Jenny Lewis: Rise Up with Fists!! (2006)". IMDb. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  29. ↑ Scott Iwasaki (April 30, 2014). "Crescent Super Band celebrates CD release with a concert". The Park Record. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Don't Look Down by Caleb Chapman's Crescent Super Band". Apple Music. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Valentine". Ernie Ball Music Man guitars. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  32. ↑ "Columbine Anniversary Short Film Links Cancer and Gun Violence Causes of Death in Children". People. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  33. ↑ "American Cancer Story – Clio Awards Winners Gallery". The Clios. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  34. ↑ "City Honors James Valentine with Street Renaming". City of Lincoln. October 27, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
  35. ↑ Ziskey, Livia (October 27, 2025). "Lincoln's newest boulevard welcomes home Maroon 5 guitarist". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
  36. ↑ Costello, Carly. "Introducing… JJAMZ". Carly Costello. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
  37. 1 2 "JJAMZ 'Never Enough'". Rolling Stone. April 3, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
  38. ↑ "JJAMZ' First Kiss". Interview Magazine. 2009-01-27. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  39. ↑ Bronson, Kevin (2009-02-12). "Visceral reactions and valentines: The Like, Rockville". buzzbands.la. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  40. ↑ "Pop Music Review: JJAMZ's 'Suicide Pact' | KQED". Kqed.org. 2012-07-20. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  41. ↑ Hampp, Andrew (2015-07-08). "PHASES (Formerly JJAMZ) Talk New Music, Debut Mystery Skulls Remix: Exclusive Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  42. ↑ Warfield, Parker (2015-09-23). "Phases - For Life -". mxdwn Music. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  43. ↑ whatsapalisade. "Post by @whatsapalisade · 7 images". Tumblr. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  44. ↑ "Katy Perry's Romantic History". E! Online. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  45. ↑ "Maroon 5's James Valentine on why he's working to stop illegal logging". Conservation news. 2018-04-03. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  46. ↑ DeSantis, Rachel; Chiu, Melody (February 16, 2023). "Maroon 5 Guitarist James Valentine Marries Fiancée Alexis Novak: 'We Eloped'". People. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  47. ↑ "Maroon 5 Guitarist James Valentine Marries Fiancée Alexis Novak: 'We Eloped'". Peoplemag. Archived from the original on 2024-06-30. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  48. ↑ "Maroon 5's James Valentine Is Hooked on Pickleball". Pickleball.com. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  49. ↑ "Tim Heidecker: From soft rock to medium rock". consequence.net. November 11, 2013.
  50. ↑ Acosta, Nicole (April 20, 2024). "Short Film Released Ahead of Columbine Anniversary Links Causes of Death for Children: Cancer and Gun Violence". People. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
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