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Simon

About Me

Simon James - musical education 2 years Leeds College Of Music, 4 years Trinity College Of Music (London).

Successful performer, recording artist, arranger, composer, producer. Co- founded band Acoustic Alchemy 1980, left 1985, made one album with them as performer and composer (Early Alchemy). The band is still going and has made more than a dozen albums. Co- founded Kymaera 1998 which has at present made six albums; acted as producer and financial controller for all of them, performer on all of them, composer on four of them. All still available. Founded Almaraya 2006 which opened the Croydon Jazz Festival that year. Has also made three solo guitar albums, latest one Azahar released 28 th September 2007 features as composer, arranger and performer on this.
Music written for TV includes The Complete Skier (series), Channel 4; Serial Killers (series), Sky TV; many one- offs either commissioned or through library usage. Video - History Of Bullfighting, Planeta Agostini (Spain only), co- composer. Other works include corporate video and adverts. Founded own publishing company Designer Music Ltd. 1987.
Has toured most of Europe and appeared in many UK concert halls including Wigmore Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room as well as Ronnie Scotts. Live broadcasts for BBC Radio, BBC TV and ITV (Granada); also Dutch TV and Radio, Spanish TV and Radio.
Extensive teaching practice concurrent with performing career has included tutor at Trinity College Of Music and Purcell School Of Music.