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James Pearson- Composer, Arranger and Pianist

James Pearson is one of the countries most respected musicians. His work covers all genres of music, especially contempory music, jazz and classical. He graduated from the Guildhall School, having completed his degree and the Advanced Solo Studies Course. Whilst at college he studied with Robert Saxton, Francis Shaw, Peter Bithell and James Gibb. He regularly performed with the symphony orchestra, including a concert at the Barbican with Takemitzu. As a composer James’s repertoire is vast and varied. His commissions include Clarinet Sonata, Piano Variations, A suite based on Colette’s ‘Madame Alvarez’and Settings of Joyce’s ‘Chamber music’ (4 songs) In 2000 he wrote a jazz symphonic work (‘Millenium Celebration’) for Orchestra, 3 choirs, African Drummers, female soloist and Jazz rhythm section. There are several recordings of his works, notably his ‘Theme and Variations’ for double bass and piano, the Blake songs with Jacqueline Dankworth (on the Album ‘For All We Know’) and his Improvisation for Organ and Soprano Saxophone on ‘Jaime Le Fleur’ (with Christian Forshaw) Amongst the many ensembles he has worked with as an arranger are the Brodsky String Quartet, Sir John Dankworth, The BBC Concert Orchestra and The BBC Big Band. His arrangements have received much critical acclaim. Felix Aprahamian (Sunday Times music critic) said ‘The harmony of Messian mixed with the rhythmic pulse of George Shearing’ His film/theatre work includes ‘Calender Girls’, ‘Gangster no. 1’, ‘Beyond the Sea’ and the remake of ‘Alfie’, where Joss Stone performed his arrangement of the title song. He had a west end show ‘The Slow Drag’ (Whitehall Theatre) in which he wrote the original music, and was the Musical Director for Maria Ewing for two of her shows. As a performer James has broadcast on all the major radio and television networks. Classic F.M broadcast his concert of Rachmaninoff’s 2nd piano concerto, and BBC Radio 2 broadcast his performance of the Gershwin Piano Concerto and Rhapsody in Blue. He was the pianist in the ‘Steve Martland’ Band. His work as a Jazz musician has taken him all over the world. This year his trio “The James Pearson Trio’ played a four night run in ‘Birdland Jazz Club’ in New-York. His fine piano playing and arrangements can be heard on over 50 albums! Amongst the many people James has worked with are, Dame Cleo Laine, Maria Ewing, Marian Montgomery, Petula Clark, Kevin Spacey, John Wilson, Elvin Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Joss Stone, Dave Stewart, Buddy Grecco, Johnny Griffin, Joseph Horowitz, Richard Rodney Bennett and Paul McCartney. Currently James is ‘Artistic Director’ at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club.