Guitarist
NEWS

Bridge Quartet (UK/NO/DK): UK tours
The Scandinavian-British Bridge Quartet James has formed in Oslo brings together compatriot saxophonist Dave Edge and a formidable rhythm section of Danish drummer Emil Norman and Norwegian double bassist Andreas Svabø. Bridge Quartet’s debut project pays tribute to Sonny Rollins' iconic 'The Bridge' record, played in its entirety, alongside selections from Rollins’ quartet's follow-up record ‘What’s New’. After the success of Bridge Quartet's debut England tour in 2025, they return on tour in July 2026: London, Manchester, Ambleside, Newcastle, Leeds following the tour's launch in Oslo.

Meraki Duo debut album: Notes from the Living Room (Delphian, 2026)
James' Meraki Duo with flautist Meera Maharaj were recently awarded 1st prize in the International Chamber Music Competition for Flute & Guitar, held in Spain. They dedicated the prize money towards the recording of their debut album, on Delphian Records. Due for worldwide release on CD and digital album on 11 September 2026, the official Album Launch concerts are: 7/9 Upstairs at Ronnie Scott's, London; 1/10 RNCM, Manchester. Tickets are now available.

The Easy Rollers: 2025 album & 2026 tour
The Easy Rollers released their studio album ‘...And Another Thing’ in September 2025 to critical acclaim internationally. A culmination of the band's journey to date, it features several originals alongside a selection of reimagined classics and lesser-known gems from the '20s/'30s.
"A deeply informed dive into the world of 1930s swing" - Jazz In Europe
The band's extensive 10th Anniversary Tour in 2026 follows autumn 2025's sold-out London album launch at PizzaExpress Live, Holborn.

Agbeko latest album: When the People Say (2026)
With 12-piece band Agbeko, James had the honour of performing at the opening concert of WOMEX24 at The Bridgewater Hall as representatives of the band's hometown, Manchester: host city to that year's most diverse global-music meeting in the world. WOMEX took place shortly after Agbeko had returned from their Spain debut.
Agbeko's latest album When the People Say, is due for release 23rd October 2026 on 12" vinyl and digital album, following their summer Single Launch UK Tour in support of lead single 'Know How'.

Paraorchestra: BBC Proms debut
In summer 2024, James made 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.
This project reprised at Southbank Centre, London in June 2025.

The Past & I (2024): Arthur Keegan (composer/arranger/producer) /
Lotte Betts-Dean (mezzo) / James Girling / Ligeti Quartet
In July 2024, 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 has featured across various BBC Radio 3 programmes.
