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“James is an outstanding young musician, very talented and definitely a musician who will make his way.”​
— Markus Stockhausen, trumpeter/composer
NEWS
The Past & I: album by Arthur Keegan (composer/arranger/producer) /
Lotte Betts-Dean (mezzo) / James Girling / Ligeti Quartet
On 19/7/24, Delphian Records released an album of new compositions and arrangements by Arthur Keegan setting poetry of Thomas Hardy. RPS' Young Artist of the Year, mezzo Lotte Betts-Dean, is joined by James and Ligeti Quartet. Released to critical acclaim with reviews in The Guardian, Gramophone and BBC Music Magazine, the album entered the official UK charts at No.5 in Specialist Classical, was Presto Music's Record Of The Week, and featured on several BBC Radio 3 programmes. For details.
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Album launch concert & South West tour
The aforementioned album 'The Past & I: 100 of Thomas Hardy' was officially launched in concert at St George's Bristol on 13th June 2024 by Lotte Betts-Dean, James Girling and Ligeti Quartet. In July following the album's release, Lotte and James toured this repertoire through the South West of England - Thomas Hardy Country - as a duo, joined by the architect of the record: composer and arranger Arthur Keegan. They were accompanied on tour by a documentary filmmaker for future release. Click here for details.
Paraorchestra: BBC Proms debut
In August 2024, James makes his debut in the BBC Proms: playing electric guitar in Paraorchestra's world premiere performance of The Virtuous Circle, at Bristol Beacon for 'Proms At...'. Mozart’s Symphony No. 40, combined with dancers in an array of choreographic formations, is delicately threaded together with new compositions from Ivor Novello Award-winner, Oliver Vibrans, which abstract the DNA of Mozart’s opus. Click here for information
1st Prize: International Chamber Music Competition for Flute & Guitar
In 2023, James' Meraki Duo with flautist Meera Maharaj were awarded 1st prize in the International Chamber Music Competition for Flute & Guitar: held in Burriana, Spain. Meraki Duo have dedicated the prize money towards the recording and release of their forthcoming debut album.
Associate Artist of the Royal Northern College of Music
James has been conferred the honour of Associate Artist of the RNCM at the conservatoire's Congregation of Awards. The ARNCM is a prestigious new award made available to recent alumni of the College judged to have achieved outstanding success in the early stages of their careers.
Agbeko release There Must Be Another Way
12-piece band Agbeko, of which James is co-founder, toured their sophomore album There Must Be Another Way in late-2023. It has been spun by BBC Radio 6 and by BBC Music Introducing among other stations. Have a listen here.
In 2024, they recorded their follow-up album at Giant Wafer Studios prior to festival performances including Kelburn Garden Party, Kendal Calling and their debut shows in Spain.
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