James was educated at Melbourne University, where he completed a Bachelor of Education, majoring in music education, conducting, instrumental performance and drama.  He has studied conducting with world renowned, Barry Bignell for three years, in which time James was appointed the Musical Director of many prestigious appointments and Head of Brass Studies at St. Leonard’s College.

James moved to Sydney in 1996, to accept the Principal Euphonium/Trombone position with the R.A.A.F Air Command Band (1996-2007). Throughout his celebrated 11 year career, James has performed extensively throughout Australia and overseas, with highlights of ‘Tour De Force Concerts’ in Dili-Timor (2000), Sydney Olympics Closing Ceremony (2000), Gallipoli ANZAC Commemoration Services (2002), New Zealand Bledisloe Cup (2004), Coordinator/Designer of the RAAF Air Command Band Marching Display at the Taranaki International Tattoo (NZ-2004), two Live to Air Broadcasts on ABC ‘Sunday Live’ (2003-2005), performed at most of the headline Australian Jazz Festivals with the internationally acclaimed RAAF Air Command Big Band (96-06), and countless Prime Ministerial, US Presidential, and two Royal Ceremonial visits for Her Majesty the Queen.

Presently, James is the Musical Director for the West Pennant Hills Public School Band Program, consisting of three bands and has recently been appointed as Ensembles Co-ordinator and Director of the ‘Hard Knox Big Band’ at the Knox Grammar School.  In addition to this James is currently the Musical Director of the Castle Hill RSL Youth Band, the Castle Hill RSL North West Wind Ensemble, the Macquarie Towns Orchestra, and in addition, James teaches many Brass students in the Hills area.

James was appointed the Musical Director of the Castle Hill RSL Youth Band and the North West Wind Ensemble in April 2005, and proudly led both bands to 'A Grade championship' success, in both Junior and Open fields, throughout both of the 2006 & 2007 Australian National Band Championships. Both bands are also the NSW State Champion bands in the same grades.

James has also attained his A Mus A on Euphonium with Distinction in 1993 and Licentiate Diploma in 1995, being the first Euphonium player to attain this diploma in Australia.  To further promote the Euphonium and the repertoire written for the instrument, James recorded and produced his own solo euphonium CD, Symphonic Variants for Euphonium in 1995.  Since then James has also attained his A Mus A on Tuba in 1998, performed with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.