Lara James Biography

Lara James is a saxophonist known for her work as a collaborative musician and soloist. She has established herself as a musician with a busy and varied portfolio career ranging from recital, chamber, orchestral and band performances to lecturing, and performs across a variety of musical genres from classical to pop. She has appeared with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Opera North, Liverpool Philharmonic, Welsh National Opera, the Martel Ensemble, Cornelius Cardew Ensemble and many others. Her recent projects have included concerto performances with world renowned conductor of the wind band repertory, Tim Reynish; and chamber music recitals through the medium of saxophone and piano duo, reed quartet, and a saxophone, cello and piano trio. Lara works regularly with internationally acclaimed musicians Jeremy Young (piano) and Kathryn Price (cello). Forthcoming work for 2009/10 includes a UK tour with Cape Town Opera company, recitals with the Triquetra Trio and band work for 'Strictly Come Dancing' stars Anton du Beke and Erin Boag's 'Steppin' Out' tour.

Lara has performed as a concerto soloist and recitalist throughout the UK, while freelance recording work includes sessions for radio, BBC TV and CD recordings. As a soloist Lara has been broadcast around the world including the UK (BBC Radio 3, Classic FM, Ireland's RTE Lyric FM) in the USA (NPR) and on ABC Classic FM Australia. Lara's debut CD 'Facades' was 'chosen as Presenter's Choice' for Instrumental and Chamber Music in Classic FM Magazine, May 2009.

Lara was an invited performer and lecturer at the 7th British Saxophone Congress, and has been invited by various institutions as a visiting artist and  external assessor. She regularly contributes articles and reviews to CASS Magazine, the publication of the British Clarinet & Saxophone Society, and has ongoing research interests in matters related to the saxophone. Lara studied at the Royal Northern College of Music gaining her degree and professional performance diploma, and the Manhattan School of Music where she became graduate assistant to the esteemed performer, musicologist and saxophone historian Dr. Paul Cohen. Following her study in the USA Lara went on to complete her Masters degree in musicology at the University of Manchester, where her specialist research area was 'The Saxophone in Britain, c. 1860-1960'.

Lara is a Tutor of Saxophone at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, where she also coaches chamber music and teaches junior students at the RWCMD Department of Junior Music and Access Studies. She is in demand as an adjudicator for national youth music competitions and college auditions, as an external assessor and as a coach for national youth music organisations.

In addition to Lara's classical work she has undertaken session work for CDs, radio and TV broadcasts.  She was a member of Graham Massey's Toolshed on live tour performances in concerts double billed with Jah Wobble and Badly Drawn Boy, and has appeared with numerous big bands, fusion, cross-genre and world music bands including Orquesta Timbala, the huge Afro-Cuban Festival Band. 

Plans for some interesting collaborations are in the pipeline for 2010...

Lara James endorses Gonzalez Reeds and is a Gonzalez performing artist.