An infectious, entertaining blend of Oscar Peterson, Dudley Moore, The Beatles to Gershwin & Rachmaninov.
James Pearson is one of the countries most respected musicians. composer and creative tour de force. His work covers all genres of music, especially contempory music, jazz and classical. He graduated from the Guildhall School, having completed his degree and the Advanced Solo Studies Course.
He is the Artistic Director at Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club where his trio are the house band. There last album ‘Swing the Club’ recorded live at the venue received excellent reviews across the board.
The recording was ranked at No.6 in the Sunday Times albums of 2009 and they were delighted to sell out four nights at the legendary Birdland Jazz Club in New York.
James is equally at home as a concert pianist. He has played concertos with the Philharmonia and the BBC Concert Orchestra amongst many others. His performance of Rachmaninoff’s 2nd piano Concerto was broadcast on Classic FM and Gershwin’s Piano Concerto and Rhapsody in Blue on BBC Radio 2. With collaborations ranging from Paul McCartney to Wynton Marsalis James is fast becoming one of the country’s most sought after pianists.
Recent commissions by the BFI and BBC have seen James back in the composing chair. The Big Smoke, commissioned by the BFI is collection of footage of London accompanied by an 80 minute score composed by James. His work can also be heard performed by Brodsky String Quartet, Sir John Dankworth, The BBC Concert Orchestra and The BBC Big Band.
James has broadcast on all the major radio and television networks. Classic F.M broadcast his concert of Rachmaninoff’s 2nd piano concerto, and BBC Radio 2 broadcast his performance of the Gershwin Piano Concerto and Rhapsody in Blue. He was the pianist in the Steve Martland Band.
His work as a Jazz musician has taken him all over the world. This year his trio The James Pearson Trio played a four night run in Birdland Jazz Club in New-York. His fine piano playing and arrangements can be heard on over 50 albums. Amongst the many people James has worked with are, Dame Cleo Laine, Maria Ewing, Marian Montgomery, Petula Clark, Kevin Spacey, John Wilson, Elvin Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Joss Stone, Dave Stewart, Buddy Greco, Johnny Griffin, Joseph Horowitz, Richard Rodney Bennett, Ray Davies, Jeff Beck and Paul McCartney.
“JP is a forebodingly brilliant and melodically inventive jazz pianist and few can match him or his trio, leaving the others trailing behind – well and truly in a class of their own. Shine on you crazy jazz diamonds! Blues & Soul
“The Ronnie Scott’s house band is in safe hands. The pianist James Pearson gives a nod in the direction of Dudley Moore as he blows the roof off the Soho room.” The Observer
“Close your eyes and the ambient sound of glasses, cocktail shaker and subdued conversation will put you right there at a front-row table.” The Times
“..Pearson is in shattering form on these sessions – Sunday Times
“..there’s no question the house band, led by James Pearson, upholds the old traditions of Ronnie Scott’s. One of those multifaceted players capable of invoking everyone from George Gershwin to Oscar Peterson and Dudley Moore, Pearson is in shattering form on these sessions.” Clive Davis – The Sunday Times
“Three outstanding players. For poise, balance and swing they’re a joy to listen to.” – The Observer