James Russell
James began playing saxophone at the age of 10 and completed his degree in jazz studies twelve years later. He studied performance with Phil Chapman and Al Wood and composition with Tony Faulkner and Niki Illes also gaining a chair in the Duke Ellington Repertory Orchestra.
James has toured nationally with his own shows commisioned by Northern Arts and The Peoples Theatre. These include The Romeo And Juliet Jazz Suite (jazz octet) and an adaptation of Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood for jazz quintet and nine actors. He is also a member of Bourbon y Tequila, a nine piece salsa jazz group currently impressing jazz festival audiences around the UK. As well as his performance credits James is also a published pop song writer.