About James

I have a background as a Jazz saxophonist. My Dad is an avid fan so I grew up hearing those sounds. I did my BMus in Jazz performance with second study classical clarinet at the Royal Academy of Music.

After completing my studies I started my own bands and received the BBC Jazz Award for innovation and a Ronnie Scott Jazz Award for my first album in 2008. As well as working with my own projects I have been fortunate to play as a sideman for Dr John, The Last Poets, Django Bates, Polar Bear and Jamie Cullum amongst others.

As well as performing I currently teach both saxophone and clarinet at the Royal Academy of Music and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

As a result of a shoulder injury, incurred whilst I was studying, I suffered a number of years of chronic back and shoulder pain which lead me to take Alexander Technique lessons and eventually train to become a teacher of the technique graduating in 2010. I have been teaching the technique from home since then. Since 2014 I have been teaching the technique at the Royal College of Music for their Junior Department. I have also given masterclasses at the Royal Academy of Music, the Grieg Academy in Bergen and for the National Youth Choir of Great Britain.