Hi Folks

welcome to this site and thank you for visiting!

in the self-depreciating dept. quoting Nathan Tinkham who i am doing the Patsy Cline show with : "there are many drummers in nanaimo and James is one of them!" this is the beginning to my 'obscure' bio which i will get around to writing one day when i am wondering why the phone never rings... reviews for this show are  here, here and here... a current photo of me with Nico and Marisha is included here.

i'm a versatile drummer, drum teacher and composer living in nanaimo b.c. on vancouver island. words that reflect what i gravitate towards musically would be 'iconoclast' which suggests certain musical freedoms and 'improvisation' which also suggests much the same..   music usually defies categorization in spite of the efforts or requirements of those in the industry...  i'm presently leader of a few music ''projects''  :  The Message, The Big Bossa and a jazz piano trio, Brio Trio..

2 months ago i got back from doing a series of gigs with The Aaron Cadwaladr Band this oct/nov 09... i really enjoyed the music and working with all the musicians that were a part of this.

i am a part of the musical theatre show "A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline" which performs at the Chemainus Theatre opening Jan 21st - Feb 27th 2010.. i'm having a great time being a part of this, performing and working with a wonderful group of people at Chemainus Theatre.. it feels like one big happy family in the short time i've known them all...

More Living a vancouver island publication, has an article on me in the current issue winter 2010.. the freelance writer of this article is Dave Morrison, a person i continue to get to know better, who among other things has excellent writing and person to person skills.. i think you'ill enjoy the article hopefully as much as i have!

here is a great website Rick Gibbs runs for staying on top of current events on vancouver islands jazz scene.

Michael Patrick is really fine musician and sweetheart of a guy who had me play on some songs on an upcoming cd that he will be releasing soon hopefully.. i really like the music..

feel free to ask questions or comment..  thanks!

paraphrasing Bryan Stovell at our oct 2nd gig :  "keep on doing what you're doing.. it's very good for the musical community here in Nanaimo."