From 1965 to 1967, James was inspired by such pioneering British Blues-influenced acts as - The Rolling Stones, Manfred Mann, Cyril Davies, John Mayall, the Yardbirds, Chicken Shack and many others. His next major influences were: - Sonny Terry, Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter, Paul Butterfield and ultimately – Charlie McCoy. By 1967, while still a schoolboy, he was one of East Kent's outstanding Blues harmonica players and a regular feature at Folk clubs all over the area. In 1968, James sat in with Peter Green's original Fleetwood Mac, at Folkestone's Leas Cliff Hall.
Throughout the mid ‘80s, James enjoyed considerable success on the London pub and club circuit as harmonica-player with hot-shot guitarist, Geoff Peel’s, Texas and Chicago-inspired Blues band – the Flametops.
World Champion
In 1987, he won the World Harmonica Championships and was immediately signed by President Records to make an instrumental solo album. Written and produced by ace guitarist, Ray Fenwick, it features the talents of drummer, Cozy Powell and pedal steel guitarist, B J Cole. The album, "Southern Region Breakdown" won enormous critical acclaim, a lot of airplay, and was compared favourably with the best of Nashville session-man, Charlie McCoy's, solo recordings.
In 1989, James teamed up with singer-songwriter-banjoist, Keith Pearson, to form Country-Rock band, the Hitkickers and play the cowboy hat and line-dancing circuit. Eventually disillusioned with the British Country scene, James joined guitarist, Tony Farinha’s superb Rock 'n Roll band -The Werewolves of London, in 1993. This band recorded a great album for President Records and made a big impact upon the ‘90s pub and club circuit.
Session-man
Throughout 25 of his 53 playing years, James has played on many recordings, such as: - the "Jamaica" album for producer, Mickie Most, the 1994 album by Italian singer/songwriter – Erz; the album “Shire Boy” by Folk singer/songwriter, Emily Slade; various corporate videos, radio commercials and ‘soundalike’ albums, the "Subaru Outback Whip" series of commercials, starring Paul Hogan, for composer, David Dundas; the sound track of the BBC film "The Merriehill Millionaires"; the "Gophers" TV Series and the 1989 Robbie Coltrane TV special. He has worked with TV composers, Bill Connor and Simon Brint and recorded with Rik Mayall and Jools Holland. Recently, he played on the debut album from veteran band JFK Blues.
The full range of James’s favourite music
In 1999, Keith Pearson, having welcomed James back into the fold, launched his finest live act; the ace Folk/Bluegrass 4-piece, Keith Pearson’s Coup de Grass. Coup de Grass played at Folk clubs, Bluegrass clubs and festivals all over the Green Note in Camden Town. In 2008, they did a 2-week stint at the Tamworth Country Festival in Australia. Their last album, “After the Treacle” contains some of James’s best ever playing.
Meanwhile, back in London, between 2006 and 2014, James was also the main, front-line soloist for the sensational North London Rhythm ‘n Blues big band – the Bizzarros. The 11-piece Bizzarros played an irresistible mixture of total dance-music: - Soul, Motown, Funk, Rock, Blues, Reggae and Ska.
Still young and ever-hopeful
Sadly both Coup de Grass and the Bizzarros have come to the end of their working lives and James is currently available for sessions or gigs with any good quality Blues, Rock, Folk, Country or Bluegrass band that will have him!
