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Simon James attended Leeds College of Music for two years, where he studied privately with Gordon Crosskey, then professor of guitar at the Royal Northern College of Music, and Trinity College of Music for four years, where he studied guitar and composition with Hector Quine and David Newbold respectively. After obtaining his LTCL he joined the teaching staff at Trinity in 1977 and became guitar tutor at the Purcell School of Music in 1984. In 1981 he attended the first Master Class in Flamenco to be given by Paco Pena in Cordoba, and this traditional art from Spain has become a very strong influence in his music.
As a performer he made his debut at the Wigmore Hall in 1978, under the auspices of Trinity College of Music and while still a student, his first appearance at the Purcell Room took place in 1983 and his solo debut at the Wigmore Hall in 1985. A founder member of the band Acoustic Alchemy, who signed to MCA in 1986 and then recorded with GRP, he appeared with them at Ronnie Scott's in 1983. Tours, both solo and with Acoustic Alchemy, included England, Holland, Spain and the Middle East. Broadcasts for radio and television with the BBC, ITV, and various European stations have always been a regular part of his career.
In 1984/85 he and Nick Webb began a long and successful collaboration with the actress Sylvia Syms on a series of shows combining poetry and music. This involved both writing and arranging music for the shows as well as appearing in them. The shows still tour today and as a result of their work together Sylvia Syms appeared on a video, which was made as a companion to the recording 'Nothing But Love', entitled 'If This be Love' (named after one of the poetry shows) reading poetry in combination with the songs.
What is Love? ‘tis not hereafter;
Present mirth hath present laughter;
What’s to come is still unsure.
In delay there lies no plenty;
Then come kiss me, sweet and twenty,
Youth’s a stuff will not endure.
Present mirth hath present laughter;
What’s to come is still unsure.
In delay there lies no plenty;
Then come kiss me, sweet and twenty,
Youth’s a stuff will not endure.
(Twelfth Night, William Shakespeare)
A new recording of solo guitar was released by Barking Green Records on September 28th. This features the unique flamenco compositions of the guitarist Simon James as well as some of Francisco Tarrega’s finest solo guitar pieces. The album was recorded in the Norman church of Ashford Carbonell over Easter and is named Azahar meaning blossom in Spanish.
“The tradition of solo Flamenco guitar playing that I follow is that of Paco De Lucia and Paco Peña, with whom I studied all too briefly. I have applied it not only to my playing but also to my compositions. There are many traditional elements within my pieces but also room for improvisation and exploration.”
“The tradition of solo Flamenco guitar playing that I follow is that of Paco De Lucia and Paco Peña, with whom I studied all too briefly. I have applied it not only to my playing but also to my compositions. There are many traditional elements within my pieces but also room for improvisation and exploration.”