James began playing the lute while at Napier University. Initially taught by Robert MacKillop he then studied at the Royal College of Music with Jakob Lindberg and at Trinity College of Music with Jacob Heringman and David Miller, with additional lessons from Paul O’Dette.

Since graduating he has performed throughout Europe with many leading ensembles and soloists including Fretwork, The Parley of Instruments, the Scottish, English and Irish Chamber Orchestras, The King’s Consort, The Hanover Band, The London Handel Orchestra, The Armonico Consort, The Scottish Ensemble, The Musicians of the Globe, Ex Cathedra, Emma Kirkby, James Bowman and Michael Chance.

As a soloist he has performed in Scotland and England and toured Denmark performing largely Renaissance Lute repertoire of the 16th century and 17th century, though 2009 sees James’ first full length theorbo recital in Engelsholm Castle in Denmark.

James has broadcast for BBC Radio 3, BBC 1, BBC News 24, France Musique and RTE Lyric (Ireland) and appeared in A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, and King Lear at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London. He has appeared on TV and film soundtracks including Robert Newman’s The History of the World Backwards; Bob the Builder and Robin Hood.

James is the first associate artist with the renowned Scottish Ensemble. With them he has performed and directed workshops and masterclasses throughout Scotland to raise the profile of plucked string instruments and their repertoire. Future projects include a recording of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons juxtaposed with Piazolla’s Four Seasons and a series of chamber music concerts highlighting the ensemble possibilities of the lute and theorbo.

Recent recordings include the premier of Howard Skempton’s Lamentations and Air de Cour by Sebastien le Camus with mezzo-soprano Claire Wilkinson.

His debut album with Natural Studio Records is scheduled for release in the Summer of 2010.