Upright Bass/Guitar/Bass Guitar/Piano

James has performed professionally for more than 30 years, with extensive experience in upright and electric bass and guitar. He studied at DePaul University’s School of Jazz Music and privately with Larry Gray. James received scholarships from SIU and DePaul University.

For 19 years, James owned and operated Garage Band U where he developed rock bands of children and adults, directing, rehearsing and preparing them for live public performances. James has been teaching professionally for over 36 years.

As a jobbing musician, James has done radio and television jingles, studio session work, pit work and orchestral performances at Chicago’s Orchestra Hall and The Paducah Symphony Orchestra.

James has experience playing: swing, blues, classical, pop, rock and jazz and has also played country, zydeco and rock-a-billy. Some of the groups James has performed with include The Rhythm Rockets, The Willie Hayes Band, Pinetop Perkins, Barrel House Chuck, The Big Guitars from Memphis, Nick Moss, Burnt Toast and many others. James was nominated for a WC Handy Award with Nick Moss James has professional endorsements with Bag End, Gallien Krueger and Lakland Basses.