James started playing the tuba at the age of 11, playing in orchestras, wind bands and brass quintets whilst studying at the Leicestershire School of Music.

A founder member of Youth Brass 2000, James soon progressed to the Ancient Order of Foresters band, where he spent 7 years. He then moved on to the Rolls Royce (Coventry) Band, with the highlight qualifying for the British Open Championships.

After 3 years, James joined the Ransome Band in April 2000, to fulfil a dream of competing in all the major contests in the brass band calendar.