A Biography

Leigh James - Bio
From early beginnings listening to, and emulating the singer songwriters of the 70s like Don McLean and James Taylor, through forming his own ‘World Music’ band ‘Funjungle’ with jazz masters in the 80s, Leigh has been refining his guitar and vocal presence into a unique and ever contemporary sound.

Leigh James has a true voice and an original and rhythmic approach to acoustic guitar, widely regarded as one of the finest singer/songwriter/guitarists on the North Coast of NSW. An accomplished solo performer, Leigh has also led duos, trios and bands in 25 years of professional playing throughout Australia. Four Dolphin Awards to his credit, for Funk, Pop, Gospel, and Country, he has supported/backed Shane Howard, Graeme Connors, Kate Ceberano, The Black Sorrows, James Morrison, Renee Geyer, Marcia Hines and Brian Cadd to name a few!

Original CD releases include Hip Pocket's Get Loved in 1993 and Share with partner Elizabeth Lord, launched on the Midday Show, September 1997 and a solo CD of originals entitled The Circle Turns is to be released in 2007. As well as being in demand as an original musician at festivals as diverse as Woodford to Tamworth, and in recording studios as a session singer and acoustic guitarist, Leigh has a vast working repertoire and has played restaurants, hotels, clubs, resorts, islands and cruise ships throughout Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Since 2006, Leigh has pooled live arrangements of the best of James Taylor's live concerts for the last 20 years(!) and produced a Tribute to James Taylor and featuring a 'killer' 4 piece Australian band: Alan Park: Keyboards; Greg Lyon : Bass; Scott Hills: Drums and Matt Hanley: Electric Guitar
The JT show has also featured on the Cruise Ships, Pacific Princess, Pacific Sun and Pacific Star out of Sydney and Brisbane...

Lately...Magic has been happening...Two trios: Elizabeth Lord(vocals/percussion), Leigh James(guitar/vocals) and John Hoffman(flugelhorn) combine to create sublime renditions of jazz/pop standards, some originals and some surprises!

The other, Leigh James(guitar/vocals), Greg Lyon (bass/vocals) and Matt Hanley(guitars/vocals) combine as a vehicle for blues/funk/gospel you name it 'originals' and tasty covers of all kinds of interesting music! Check it out!