JAMES PEARSON & FRIENDS

James Pearson is a pianist, composer and creative tour de force.

He is the Artistic Director at Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club where his trio are the house band. Their last album ‘Swing the Club’, recorded live at the venue, received excellent reviews across the board.

“James Pearson is in shattering form on these sessions.” – The Sunday Times

The recording was ranked at No. 6 in the Sunday Times albums of 2009, and they were delighted to sell out four nights at the legendary Birdland Jazz Club in New York.

James is equally at home as a concert pianist. He has played concertos with the Philharmonia and the BBC Concert Orchestra amongst many others. His performance of Rachmaninoff’s 2nd Piano Concerto was broadcast on Classic FM and Gershwin’s Piano Concerto and Rhapsody in Blue on BBC Radio 2. With collaborations ranging from Paul McCartney to Wynton Marsalis, James is fast becoming one of the country’s most sought after pianists.

Recent commissions by the BFI and BBC have seen James back in the composing chair. The Big Smoke, commissioned by the BFI, is a collection of footage of London accompanied by an 80-minute score composed by James. His work can also be heard performed by Brodsky String Quartet, Sir John Dankworth, The BBC Concert Orchestra and The BBC Big Band.

“The harmony of Messiaen mixed with the rhythmic pulse of George Shearing.” – The Sunday Times

James Pearson is one of the country’s most respected musicians. His work covers all genres of music, especially contemporary 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.

James has broadcast on all the major radio and television networks, and he was the pianist in the Steve Martland Band. His work as a Jazz musician has taken him all over the world. 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, The John Wilson Orchestra, Elvin Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Joss Stone, Dave Stewart, Buddy Greco, Johnny Griffin, Joseph Horowitz, Richard Rodney Bennett, Ray Davies, Polly Gibbons, Nigel Kennedy, Robbie Williams, Rufus Wainwright, Gregory Porter, Imelda May, Jeff Beck and Paul McCartney.

We are delighted to now be able to announce the friends that James Pearson will be bringing with him this year – Vanessa Haynes and Tom O’Grady.

Vanessa Haynes

Vanessa is a singer based in London. She works as a solo artist, and is also a lead singer with Incognito. Credits include, Van Morrison, Dave Stewart, Billy Ocean, Anastacia, Chaka Khan, Lulu, Leon Ware and others.

Tom O’Grady

Whilst Tom is primarily a pianist, he will be coming with his trombone on this occasion. Tom composes for and plays keyboards for his own jazz funk band ‘Resolution 88’ and co-writes and tours with the soul jazz singer Myles Sanko. He has performed on a world tour with jazz funk legends Incognito and shared the stage with Don Blackman, the Blackbyrds & Larry Mizell, Mike Clark, Underground Resistance, Eumir Deodato and Clare Fischer.