James trained at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, and very quickly became established as one of the country’s leading contemporary classical and electric guitarists, beginning with performances of works such as Steve Reich’s Electric Counterpoint with the Rambert Dance Company, and in Boulez “Le Marteau sans Maitre”.

He is in continuing demand and much sought after by various contemporary music ensem- bles, such as Lontano and the London Sinfonietta, and is a long-standing member of both the Gavin Bryars Ensemble and Icebreaker. He performs regularly as soloist and ensemble player with the London Chamber Symphony, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, BBC Symphony Orchestra, the LSO, The New London Chamber Choir, Music Projects London, Almeida Opera and the BBC Singers.

James’s name is already familiar to listeners of Radio 3, being frequently mentioned during broadcast performances of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, in works featuring classical, elec- tric guitar, or bass guitar.
He is a frequent collaborator with a number of contemporary dance companies, in particular being associated with Richard Alston for the last two decades and with The Merce Cunningham Dance Company from 1999 until it’s close.

As a solo classical guitarist James has given numerous concerts. Repertoire over two decades has included Tippett, Britten, Kondo, Schlee, Elliot Carter, Takemitsu, Sauguet, Milhaud and Bach. A special dedication to new works but also to the music of Bach and particular Baroque composers of lute and harpsichord music, such as Denis Gaultier and Froberger has brought him to the attention of many composers. Recently Howard Skempton invited James to perform for Radio 3 the Interludes for guitar composed especially for him.

The programme for the evening will be:

* JS Bach Lute Suite in D minor BWV997

* Gavin Bryars "Epilogue from Wonderlawn" [arr. J Woodrow]

* Benjamin Britten Nocturnal Op70

INTERVAL

* JS Bach Jesus Christus unser Heiland BWV 666

* Maurice Ravel Pavane pour une Infante Defunte [arr Duarte ,Gubbay]

* Michael Tippett The Blue Guitar.

Admission by Donation to the work and ministry of Clare Church