C O M P O S I T I O N
Raised on a mixed diet encompassing The Beatles, the Miles Davis catalogue, Bossa Nova, flamenco and classical music, James reflects a range of influences in his compositions. He mainly composes for mixed ensembles.
James composed the majority of Artephis' 'All Change No Change', a concept album entirely of original music. The album received praise from the likes of Jamie Cullum on BBC Radio 2, Alyn Shipton on Radio 3, and Mike Chadwick (Snarky Puppy, Band On The Wall). 'Tabula Rasa' (below) is an example of James' writing for the album.
"Impressive compositional maturity [...]. Seriously talented.”
- Ian Mann (The Jazz Mann)
One of his later compositions for Artephis, ‘Treading Water’, was released in 2020 as a single. Meanwhile, he writes co-writes with Agbeko and Lieko Quintet.
The film below is a live recording of the large-ensemble piece 'Feel No More', which James specially composed for the collaboration between The Untold Orchestra and Artephis. Subsequently, he co-composed/arranged the combined ensemble's full concert appearance at Brecon Jazz Festival.