James began his singing life as a chorister in Manchester. It was these formative years that instilled in him his passion for church music making. It is no surprise that he has spent the last 18 years singing in Cathedral Choirs, most recently Winchester Cathedral and St. Georges Chapel, Windsor Castle as a Lay Clerk where, as well as many important occasions, he sang for the marriage blessing of HRH Prince Charles to Camilla Parker-Bowles. He has since moved to Gloucester to join the world renowned Cathedral Choir under Adrian Partington.

Outside of the Cathedral James is busy with consort work and sings with groups that include Tenebrae, Ex Cathedra, Sarum Consort, The Edington Festival Consort, and The Exon Singers.

As a soloist James is in demand in the role of Evangelist in Bach's Passions. Appearances this year include St. John in Cheltenham and Warwick plus Saffron Waldon and Dorking Parish Churches, and St. Matthew in Ely Cathedral, and LSO St. Luke's in London. 

Recent concerts have included Vespers by Monteverdi and Rachmaninov, Bach B minor Mass, Scarlatti Dixit Dominus, Puccini Messa di Gloria, Britten St. Nicholas and Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings, Handel Chandos Anthems, Messiah and Damon in Acis and Galatea in the Worcester Festival with Contrapunctus xiv, Mozart C minor Mass, Coronation Mass, Requiem and Vespers, Schubert Mass in A flat and Stainer The Crucifixion. He has also performed the title role in Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius.  

Forthcoming engagements include Bach St. John and St. Matthew Passion's Handel Messiah, Britten Seranade for Tenor, Horn and Strings, Rossini Messe Solennelle, in Kodaly Psalmus Hungaricus, Purcell King Arthur, Mozart C Minor Mass in Sheffield Cathedral, Rachmaninov Vespers in Bristol Cathedral, and an invitation to perform in a Bach concert to include the Cantata for solo Tenor no.82a Ich habe genug in Wellington Cathedral New Zealand.  

He has worked as a soloist with Orchestras that include BBC National Orchestra of Wales, The London Symphony, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, London Mozart Players, English Sackbut and Cornet Ensemble, The Correlli Orchestra, Charivari Agreable Symphonie and The English Concert. He has appeared on television as a soloist in England, Malta, USA and France.