He graduated from the Royal College of Music in 1992, having studied with Graham Mayger, David Butt and Sebastian Bell. During his time at the RCM, he won several prizes for chamber music playing, and particularly for performances of contemporary music ? including a performance of Berio?s ?Tempi Concertati? for flute and four ensembles. He also played in numerous other concerts in a wide range of repertoire, including a series of recitals at Apsley House as a member of ?L?Anima di Musica?, and appearances with the ?Perspectives? ensemble in concerts in London and the Vallodolid Contemporary Music Festival in Spain. He has also performed concertos by Mozart, Salieri, Cimarosa, Reinecke and Ibert.

His love of contemporary repertoire led to him being selected for a recital in the Park Lane Group Young Artist Series at the Purcell Room (accompanied by Mark Kinkaid) ? where he performed to critical praise the Boulez Sonatine, and also gave the world premiere of ?The Colour of Pomegranates? for alto flute and piano, written for him by the leading British composer Julian Anderson.

James joined the Army in 1997, playing as principal flute in the Band of The Scots Guards. He has won many prizes since then, including two Worshipful Company of Musicians Silver Medals. He has performed as a soloist in concerts all over the UK and Europe, as well as South Korea, and a tour of Australia. Recent appearances include solos at the Royal Albert Hall and the Beaulieu-sur-Mer Music Festival. In September 2005 he was awarded the Fellowship of Trinity College London in Flute Performance. He is also an experienced teacher, and is currently Flute Tutor at St. Helen?s School, Northwood.