John James (musician)
Encyclopedia
John James is a Welsh
virtuoso fingerstyle guitarist and songwriter. He is best known for his original instrumental compositions for the guitar as well as interpretations of blues
, folk
, ragtime
, jazz
and classical tunes.
, and Reverend Gary Davis
); Critics dubbed him the "Welsh Ragtime Wizard".
He recorded several albums for Transatlantic
in the early 70s including a groundbreaking album of duets with fellow guitarist Pete Berryman called Sky in My Pie. He also became the first guitarist in the UK to arrange and record the music of Scott Joplin
. In the mid 1970s he was signed up by Kicking Mule records and in 1976 released an album of original fingerpicking guitar solos and duets called Descriptive Guitar Instrumentals. This also featured fellow guitarists John Renbourn
and Duck Baker
. According to Stefan Grossman
, James's compositions were written out in musical form without the aid of the guitar - this enabled him to develop original ideas without being limited by his existing guitar technique.
James has recorded over 15 albums and toured extensively, playing with artists as diverse as Jools Holland
, Ralph McTell
, John Renbourn
, John Martyn (Who was the best man at his wedding!) Led Zeppelin
(he played support at their debut gig at London’s Round House
in the 60s!), as a footnote, he was also a guest artist on the last ever Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry UK Tour of 1976. He has performed at many prestigious venues including the Royal Albert Hall
(London), the Paris Olympia
, Edinburgh and Cambridge
Folk Festivals etc.
Apart from his recording and live work he has been influential in guitar education with compositions featuring in several guitar tuition books by Stefan Grossman
(see "Bibliography" below). He was a columnist for Guitar International magazine and produced best-selling guitar tuition cassettes and videos. He has appeared on many UK radio and TV shows - including presenting a BBC TV series called Broadsides.
James plays fingerstyle on both a Martin M-36 acoustic and a Epiphone Emperor electric archtop guitar. His live shows are notable for his humorous anecdotes as well as virtuoso guitar picking.
John James lives in Lampeter, Wales, and still performs occasionally. A recent concert was at the Islwyn Acoustic Guitar Club in Wattsville, Wales on 17 September 2010. He does not have a website and his LPs and CDs are not listed on Amazon.
John James also appeared on the following anthologies:
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
virtuoso fingerstyle guitarist and songwriter. He is best known for his original instrumental compositions for the guitar as well as interpretations of blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
, folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
, ragtime
Ragtime
Ragtime is an original musical genre which enjoyed its peak popularity between 1897 and 1918. Its main characteristic trait is its syncopated, or "ragged," rhythm. It began as dance music in the red-light districts of American cities such as St. Louis and New Orleans years before being published...
, jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and classical tunes.
Biography
James learned the rudiments of music at the piano, switching to the guitar at the age of 12. Initially he learnt his craft playing in local Pop and R&B bands but later focused on solo acoustic guitar work. He first made a name for himself in the folk clubs of the UK around 1968, playing arrangements of old blues, jazz and ragtime tunes (by composers such as Scott JoplinScott Joplin
Scott Joplin was an American composer and pianist. Joplin achieved fame for his ragtime compositions, and was later dubbed "The King of Ragtime". During his brief career, Joplin wrote 44 original ragtime pieces, one ragtime ballet, and two operas...
, and Reverend Gary Davis
Reverend Gary Davis
Reverend Gary Davis, also Blind Gary Davis, was an American blues and gospel singer and guitarist, who was also proficient on the banjo and harmonica...
); Critics dubbed him the "Welsh Ragtime Wizard".
He recorded several albums for Transatlantic
Transatlantic Records
Transatlantic Records was a British independent record label. It was established in 1961. It started began primarily as an importer of American folk, blues and jazz records - by many of the artists who influenced the burgeoning British folk and blues boom. Within a couple of years, the company had...
in the early 70s including a groundbreaking album of duets with fellow guitarist Pete Berryman called Sky in My Pie. He also became the first guitarist in the UK to arrange and record the music of Scott Joplin
Scott Joplin
Scott Joplin was an American composer and pianist. Joplin achieved fame for his ragtime compositions, and was later dubbed "The King of Ragtime". During his brief career, Joplin wrote 44 original ragtime pieces, one ragtime ballet, and two operas...
. In the mid 1970s he was signed up by Kicking Mule records and in 1976 released an album of original fingerpicking guitar solos and duets called Descriptive Guitar Instrumentals. This also featured fellow guitarists John Renbourn
John Renbourn
John Renbourn is an English guitarist and songwriter. He is possibly best known for his collaboration with guitarist Bert Jansch as well as his work with the folk group Pentangle, although he maintained a solo career before, during and after that band's existence .While most commonly labelled a...
and Duck Baker
Duck Baker
Duck Baker is an accomplished and influential American fingerstyle guitarist, who in his playing combines genres as varied as rags, blues, country, gospel, cajun, bluegrass, Celtic music, ballads and jazz, swing, New Orleans jazz and free jazz.-Biography and career:Baker grew up in Richmond,...
. According to Stefan Grossman
Stefan Grossman
Stefan Grossman is an American acoustic fingerstyle guitarist and singer, music producer and educator, and co-founder of Kicking Mule records.-Early life and influences:Born in Brooklyn, New York, to Herbert and Ruth Grossman...
, James's compositions were written out in musical form without the aid of the guitar - this enabled him to develop original ideas without being limited by his existing guitar technique.
James has recorded over 15 albums and toured extensively, playing with artists as diverse as Jools Holland
Jools Holland
Julian Miles "Jools" Holland OBE, DL is an English pianist, bandleader, singer, composer, and television presenter. He was a founder of the band Squeeze and his work has involved him with many artists including Sting, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, The Who, David Gilmour and Bono.Holland is a...
, Ralph McTell
Ralph McTell
Ralph McTell is an English singer-songwriter and acoustic guitar player who has been an influential figure on the UK folk music scene since the 1960s....
, John Renbourn
John Renbourn
John Renbourn is an English guitarist and songwriter. He is possibly best known for his collaboration with guitarist Bert Jansch as well as his work with the folk group Pentangle, although he maintained a solo career before, during and after that band's existence .While most commonly labelled a...
, John Martyn (Who was the best man at his wedding!) Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
(he played support at their debut gig at London’s Round House
The Roundhouse
The Roundhouse is a Grade II* listed former railway engine shed in Chalk Farm, London, England, which has been converted into a performing arts and concert venue. It was originally built in 1847 as a roundhouse , a circular building containing a railway turntable, but was only used for railway...
in the 60s!), as a footnote, he was also a guest artist on the last ever Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry UK Tour of 1976. He has performed at many prestigious venues including the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
(London), the Paris Olympia
Paris Olympia
The Olympia is a music hall in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. Located at No. 28, Boulevard des Capucines, its closest métro/RER stations are Madeleine, Opéra, Havre – Caumartin and Auber....
, Edinburgh and Cambridge
Cambridge Folk Festival
The Cambridge Folk Festival is an annual music festival held on the site of Cherry Hinton Hall in Cherry Hinton, one of the villages subsumed by the city of Cambridge, England. The festival is renowned for its eclectic mix of music and a wide definition of what might be considered folk. It occurs...
Folk Festivals etc.
Apart from his recording and live work he has been influential in guitar education with compositions featuring in several guitar tuition books by Stefan Grossman
Stefan Grossman
Stefan Grossman is an American acoustic fingerstyle guitarist and singer, music producer and educator, and co-founder of Kicking Mule records.-Early life and influences:Born in Brooklyn, New York, to Herbert and Ruth Grossman...
(see "Bibliography" below). He was a columnist for Guitar International magazine and produced best-selling guitar tuition cassettes and videos. He has appeared on many UK radio and TV shows - including presenting a BBC TV series called Broadsides.
James plays fingerstyle on both a Martin M-36 acoustic and a Epiphone Emperor electric archtop guitar. His live shows are notable for his humorous anecdotes as well as virtuoso guitar picking.
John James lives in Lampeter, Wales, and still performs occasionally. A recent concert was at the Islwyn Acoustic Guitar Club in Wattsville, Wales on 17 September 2010. He does not have a website and his LPs and CDs are not listed on Amazon.
Discography
- Morning Brings the Light (1970). Transatlantic Records (TRA219).
- John James (1971). Transatlantic Records (TRA242).
- Sky in my Pie (1972). Transatlantic Records (TRA250).
- Head in the Clouds (1975). Transatlantic Records (TRA305).
- Descriptive Guitar Instrumentals (1976). Kicking Mule Records (SNKF128). Tracklist: 1. Trio, 2. New Nothynge (duet with John RenbournJohn RenbournJohn Renbourn is an English guitarist and songwriter. He is possibly best known for his collaboration with guitarist Bert Jansch as well as his work with the folk group Pentangle, although he maintained a solo career before, during and after that band's existence .While most commonly labelled a...
), 3. Rumble, 4. First Meeting (with Duck BakerDuck BakerDuck Baker is an accomplished and influential American fingerstyle guitarist, who in his playing combines genres as varied as rags, blues, country, gospel, cajun, bluegrass, Celtic music, ballads and jazz, swing, New Orleans jazz and free jazz.-Biography and career:Baker grew up in Richmond,...
), 5. Hanna's Skipping Song, 6. From The Bridge (with John RenbournJohn RenbournJohn Renbourn is an English guitarist and songwriter. He is possibly best known for his collaboration with guitarist Bert Jansch as well as his work with the folk group Pentangle, although he maintained a solo career before, during and after that band's existence .While most commonly labelled a...
), 7. Of Days Gone By, 8. Guitar Jump (with John Renbourn), 9. Feet On The Ground, 10. Bumpass Stomp (with Duck BakerDuck BakerDuck Baker is an accomplished and influential American fingerstyle guitarist, who in his playing combines genres as varied as rags, blues, country, gospel, cajun, bluegrass, Celtic music, ballads and jazz, swing, New Orleans jazz and free jazz.-Biography and career:Baker grew up in Richmond,...
, 11. Gazing High, 12. You & I Across The Water, 13. When I Was Young & Easy. - Guitar Jump (1977). Kicking Mule Records.
- Live in Concert (1978). Kicking Mule Records (SNKF136). Tracklist: 1. Picture Rags, 2. Opus 18, 3. Silver Swan, 4. Suitcase Shaped Like That, 5. Black And White Rag, 6. Rosebud March, 7. How Can I Tell You, 8. Pickles And Peppers, 9. Ragtime Millionaire, 10. Head In The Clouds, 11. Coconut Dance, 12. Victory Rag, 13. One Long Happy Night, 14. You And I Across The Water, 15. B Minor Run, 16. Tears, 17. Something There
- With A Suitcase Shaped Like That (1981). Tracklist: 1. Quirpa Guatireña, 2. Bro Gwalia, 3. Dança, 4. Santa Cruz, 5. La Alborada (F. Tarrega), 6. Reserl Polka, 7. Marie José, 8. Appenzeller Dance, 9. 12th Street Rag, 10. El Marabino (A. Lauro), 11. Habañera, 12. Ffarwel Philip Ystwyth, 13. Pant Corlan yr Wyn, 16. Minor Swing (D. Reinhardt).
- Acoustia Eclectica (1984). Stoptime Records (STOP101).
- Guitar Music (1988). Stoptime Records.
- Sky in My Pie/Head in the Clouds (1996). Essential Records.
- Guitar Greats: John James (2009) Stoptime recordings.
John James also appeared on the following anthologies:
- Heads and Tails (1970) Transatlantic Records - TRA/SAD18. ("Pickles and Pears").
- The Contemporary Guitar Sampler Volume 2 (1970) Transatlantic Records - TRA SAM 15 ("And the dog was sleeping in the corner").
- I Got Rhythm (1976) Kicking Mule ("Under the Moon", "Who's that knocking at my door", Ballin' the Jack).
- Fylde Acoustic (1977). Trailer Records ("A Toye" and "Corranto").
- Advanced Fingerpicking Guitar Techniques (1977) Kicking Mule. ("Rosebud March")
- Contemporary Folk Guitar (1982) Cambra ("Georgemas Junction", "And the Dog Was Sleeping in the Corner")
- The Entertainer: The Music Of Scott Joplin Arranged For Fingerstyle Guitar (1992) Shanachie records. ("Rosebud - Two step").
- The Art Of Fingerstyle Guitar (2005). Shanachie Records ("New Nothynge", "Feet on the Ground", "Guitar Jump", "Hannah's Skipping Song", "Trio").
External links
- John James (Live and studio video clips).
- Picture Rag (John James - audio only)
- Feet on the Ground (A John James composition - from "Descriptive Guitar Instrumentals" - performed on YouTube by a Belgian guitarist DaddyStovepipe)
- Manoir De Mes Rèves/Django's Castle (an arrangement by John James performed on YouTube by a Belgian guitarist DaddyStovepipe).
- Silver Swan Rag (James's arrangement of a Scott Joplin Rag, performed on YouTube by a Belgian guitarist DaddyStovepipe)