Biography
James began playing the clarinet at the age of 9 at his school in a group lesson. Two years later he won a Junior Exhibition to attend the Royal College of Music (RCM) Junior Department, where he studied clarinet with Angela Fussell for 7 years.
James simultaneously followed degree courses in Music at the Royal College of Music and Physics at Imperial College, studying clarinet with Colin Bradbury (Principal Clarinet of the BBC Symphony Orchestra), and E-flat clarinet with Richard West (Academy of St. Martin in the Fields). During his studies, James was Highly Commended in the RCM Concerto Competition, performing the Mozart Clarinet Concerto. James has since performed the Weber, Mozart and Finzi clarinet concertos with orchestras in London and across the UK.
After graduating, James completed a PhD in Astro-Particle physics at St. Catherine's College, Oxford University.
James has performed as an orchestral and chamber musician in many of the country’s leading concert halls including the Barbican, Festival Hall and the Purcell Room, as well as giving solo performances at the Royal Festival Hall and the Royal Albert Hall, and performances for BBC Radio 3. He has also participated in masterclasses with many leading clarinettists including Jack Brymer, Gervase de Peyer and Andrew Marriner.
James is based in the New Forest in Hampshire, from where he freelances with orchestras and chamber ensembles across the UK. He teaches privately in Hampshire and Dorset, and holds teaching positions at schools and colleges in Hampshire and London.
As a music practitioner for The Amber Trust, James works with young people in Dorset, Hampshire and Berkshire aged between 2-13 years old who have visual impairments and learning disabilities, and runs workshops in schools for young people with learning disabilities and autism. James is also an adjudicator for awards and competitions and adjudicated the Beaulieu Music Awards in 2024.
James plays exclusively on Selmer Paris clarinets.