James has released three records of original music through the last decade, including two with his Pittsburgh-based organ trio. Click on the album covers below to learn more about the music, listen to selections from them, and purchase them.
released October 2014
James' second organ trio collaboration with guitarist Ken Karsh, Please Do Not Clap On One And Three, features eight fresh, new tunes — including "35th And Archer" — and a fresh arrangement of "New York State Of Mind." James and Ken are joined by drummer Kevin Lowe, who performs with the Zeropoint Big Band.
released April 2013
Modern Organ Trio was James' maiden voyage into jazz organ, with four new tunes and fresh takes on "Indiana" and guitarist Ken Karsh's "The Ducks of Boston." D.C.-based drummer Shaun Chesley rounds out the trio, while Duquesne University jazz department chair Mike Tomaro appears as a guest soloist on tenor sax.
released July 2012
After moving to the East Coast from Pittsburgh in 2007, James came roaring back with +17, an intense collaboration with the Zeropoint Big Band from State College, Pa., with guest vocal appearances from Carolyn Perteete and Michael Andrews.This modern big-band album features three charts from James' Pittsburgh era, three brand-new works, plus three inventive, fresh, but accessible arrangements with the vocalists at the fore.