- For the mayor of Kansas City, Missouri see: Sly James
Sylvester James, Jr. (September 6, 1947December 16, 1988), who used the stage name of
Sylvester, was an American singer-songwriter. Primarily active in the genres of
disco,
rhythm and blues, and
soul, he was known for his flamboyant and androgynous appearance and
falsetto singing voice.