James Manders
I live in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire (34 miles from North West of London, UK) with my beautiful wife Jody.
I work within all music styles and genres but have a passion for Soul, Rn'B, Jazz and Latin music. I have composed and recorded with some of Britains up and coming songwriters and worked along side some of the finest session musicians.
Since May 2006 I have been the resident session & touring guitarist for ‘The Beauty Room’ (Peace Frog Records). In 2006 the band performed on main stage at The Big Chill festival, live acoustic sessions on BBC radio 1, BBC radio 2 and BBC radio London. I also played acoustic guitar on The Beauty Room remix of State Of Grace featuring Mozez.
In January 2007 The Beauty Room head lined at the World Wide Awards hosted by Giles Peterson (BBC Radio 1 DJ).
In between gigs and showcases with the Beauty Room I front a 4-piece band which perform showcases and sessions for artists/bands. We also get hired for Parties and Corporate Events perfroming classic soul, rock and pop covers. Great fun!!!
Check out the track 'James Manders Band' above!
Most recently I have been managing and playing in a Band called Stone Cold Diva.
www.stonecolddiva.co.uk
Enjoy the mp3 song previews from my debut album 'Livin' Life Up'
Brief History
I grew up in Buckinghamshire England. Learnt the violin from the age of 8 and performed with the Aylesbury's Junior Orchestra.
I Picked up the guitar at age 15 and was tutored by Rai Scarlia until 1995, I was then accepted to study at the Guitar Institute London. In 1998 I then went on to graduate from The London College Of Music (LCM) .
On graduating my love for Jazz improvisation led me to put together my own quartet. I took the band to some of the UK's prime Jazz Clubs and festivals including Jazz Cafe and The Ealing Jazz Featival. I also worked as a Solo Guitarist performing Classical & Spanish music in London
I have also been resident guitarist for the MAYC Orchestra & Singers and performing to audiences in many theatres and arenas (NIA Birmingham and The Brighton Conference Centre).
Over the last 9 years I have been working with many Songwriters and quality musicians, performing on television and gigging all over the UK and Europe.
I am always gigging in and around London performing original compositions, Latin Jazz standards and some classic funk & soul.
Photography by Peter Griffith
www.jamesmanders.co.uk