Biography
James ventures on a jazz journey where freedom of expression takes the lead. His interpretation of the American Songbook brings to life treasured melodies with unique yet accessible improvisations.
An accomplished jazz pianist in the Philadelphia area, James has worked with such luminaries as Clark Terry, Lee Konitz, Curtis Fuller, Slide Hampton, Alan Dawson, Sonny Troy, Sammy Kaye, Ray Eberle, Frankie Lester, Bob Hope, Joan Rivers, Lorna Luft, Little Anthony and the Imperials, and Petula Clark. For many years, Jim toured with Connie Stevens as her pianist and assistant conductor. He has recorded with Bobby Rydel, Al Alberts, and many other prominent local Philadelphia musicians. His musical journey has taken him to Las Vegas, Broadway, and Atlantic City through venues such as Carnegie Hall, The Wilmington Opera House, The Philadelphia Academy of Music, and the Keswick Theatre. Among the highlights of his career are command performances for Luciano Pavarotti and President Bill Clinton.
In addition to solo jazz performing, James is the keyboard player for Drivetime (www.smoothdrivetime.com), an urban organic jazz ensemble. They have recorded several albums, many of which include original compositions by James such as “Ignition,” “I Told You Once,” and “La Chanson de Mars.”
James is the pianist for The Jazz Sanctuary (www.thejazzsanctuary.com), an organization that provides music free of charge to charitable organizations and houses of worship.
James is a long-time leader and musician of Musicopia, a nonprofit organization that provides music programs to schools in the Greater Philadelphia area, he was the resident pianist at the original Four Seasons Hotel in Philadelphia for 25 years before its closing, and is the leader of The James D. Orchestras and Specialty Entertainment, LLC.
James is an avid composer of jazz and religious music and a teacher of jazz piano and accordion. James received his B.M. in Piano Performance from The University of the Arts and his M.M. in Composition from Combs College of Music.