Born in 1984, James began playing the oboe aged seven. Following studies with Irene Pragnell and Melanie Ragge, James attended Christ Church college, Oxford University where he graduated with First Class Honours in Music. James subsequently learnt with Celia Nicklin, Tess Miller and Chris Cowie while studying for a Postgraduate Performance Diploma from the Royal Academy of Music. He completed his studies after four years of tuition from Nicholas Daniel at Trossingen Musikhochschule, Germany. It was during his time in Germany that James became particularly keen on performing contemporary music and in commissioning new repertoire for the oboe.
As a soloist, James has performed live on BBC Radio 3’s ‘In Tune’ and on BBC Television’s ‘Songs of Praise’. James has given recitals throughout the UK following selection for the Countess of Munster Recital Scheme and the Making Music Concert Promoters’ Network. He is also an active chamber musician and has performed with numerous ensembles including the Allegri Quartet during their Jubilee Season as well as appearing in concert with The Berkeley Ensemble. In 2010 James gave his debut recital at Wigmore Hall and recorded a disc of contemporary oboe music for Quartz Music to be released in early 2011.
James has freelanced throughout Europe with orchestras such as the Russian Chamber Orchestra of St. Petersburg, Kammerorchester Pforzheim in Germany and the Wroclaw Philharmonic in Poland. In the UK, James has played with the Britten Sinfonia and has been selected for the London Philharmonic Future Firsts orchestral training scheme.
When not playing the oboe, James follows his local football team Crystal Palace and enjoys photography and web design.
