Brief Biography
A life long resident of the Niagara Region, James began playing professionally at the age of 17. As lead alto saxophonist in his award winning high school jazz ensemble, Westlane Secondary, James earned a spot in the acclaimed Niagara College Jazz Band. Playing with many of the finest instrumentalists in the region, this opportunity provided tremendous growth and opened several doors to playing with other bands.
After graduating high school, James went on to study music at Mohawk College in Hamilton and then to Brock University in St. Catharines while continuing to play professionally in a variety of music groups. These bands included the legendary LMT Connection, Sandy Vine and the Midnights and the Grammy winning Walter Ostanek Band.
At 30, James began his teaching career as an elementary school music teacher in Grimsby at Grand Avenue Public School. After two years he moved to Beamsville Secondary to run the music program which included vocal and instrumental band classes.
After a wonderful eleven years in Beamsville, James went on to teach music at Lakeport Secondary and Eden High in St. Catharines.
Throughout his teaching career, James maintained an active performance schedule were he developed his various music groups, playing many wineries and premium hotels across the Niagara Region. In the early 2000s, his duo, with pianist Doug Mundy (The Doug & James Duo) enjoyed a Friday night residency - October to May - for seven seasons at the historic Princes of Wales Hotel in Niagara on the Lake. They then moved over to Queen’s Landing Hotel, also in Niagara on the Lake for five summers of Friday nights on their patio.
In 2013, James formed the 4 piece classic soul/pop band, Generation Train which has performed many private and public events including St. Catharine’s popular Grape and Wine Festival.
Currently, James maintains an active performance schedule as a freelance saxophonist, flautist and vocalist along with fronting his several groups at many public and private events. Most recently, James had the privilege of playing several shows at Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls with the living legend Chubby Checker. James also teaches saxophone privately and runs master classes for high school saxophonist and jazz groups.