About
James is a conductor, composer, educator and multi-instrumentalist based in Valencia, having recently relocated from London. His love of music from all over the world is matched by a track record of virtuosic and innovative performances across an array of genres. He is the conductor and founder of the 'Video Game arts Orchestra' in Valencia and house trombonist at the Black Note Jazz club. In London he conducted the Holborn Community Orchestra, South London Jazz Orchestra and the London Video Game Orchestra. As a composer, his music fuses contemporary classical worlds with jazz and other musics. His works have been performed by many ensembles around the world as well as recorded by the likes of NETFLIX. James also teaches both privately around Spain and in a variety of residential courses. He was born in Harare, Zimbabwe but grew up on the island of Guernsey in the Channel Islands and studied in the vibrant city of Manchester.
Awards
Orchestra, the Bethlehem Casuals, Dulwich Symphony Orchestra, Rogue Noodle, Mancheska and the Guernsey Symphony Orchestra. His past conducting engagements include the University of Manchester Symphony Orchestra, St. James Sinfonia, University of Manchester Big Band, Manchester String Society and the award-winning University of Manchester Brass Band.
Alongside his conducting residencies, James has also played with numerous jazz, afrobeat and classical ensembles including AGBEKO, the 7:45s, the Nigel Grice Collective, the Piccadilly Symphony Orchestra, the Bethlehem Casuals, Dulwich Symphony Orchestra, Rogue Noodle, Mancheska and the Guernsey Symphony Orchestra. His past conducting engagements include the University of Manchester Symphony Orchestra, St. James Sinfonia, University of Manchester Big Band, Manchester String Society and the award-winning University of Manchester Brass Band.
While in Manchester, he studied conducting with Mark Heron (RNCM), composition with Dr. Richard Whalley and Dr. Philip Grange (University of Manchester), trombone with Rob Holliday (former LPO) and tuba with Ewan Easton (Hallé).
During the Covid-19 pandemic he transformed his ensemble tuition into an acclaimed youtube series called 'Emergency Jazz with James', as well as offering weekly online masterclasses on musicology and performance technique.
Alongside his conducting residencies, James has also played with numerous jazz, afrobeat and classical ensembles including AGBEKO, the 7:45s, the Nigel Grice Collective, the Piccadilly Symphony
- 2016 Finalist, National Association of Brass Band Conductor's Competition
- 2016 Overall winners - 2016 National University Brass Band Competition
- 2016 Best Conductor - 2016 National University Brass Band Competition
- 2015 Dean's award for academic achievement - University of Manchester
- 2015 Winner of the Arthur Hargreaves Award for Film Music Composition - University of Manchester
- 2015 Arthur Hargreaves award for academic excellence - University of Manchester