James Arben

‘… on saxophone, bass clarinet, flute and oboe He moves effortlessly from bebop to free jazz and back...’

‘Plays solos that must leave the inside of his instrument molten…’

‘A hidden talent -versatile in any idiom from contemporary music to the West End…’

‘James is a talented improviser who plays in many acclaimed bands and leads his own varied projects.’

James is Musical Director for one of the greatest living Ethiopian musicians - Dr Mulatu Astatke.

Performance Credits

James has worked with, and recorded for, a wide variety of artists. His experience ranges from being a special guest soloist playing Will Todd’s Mass in Blue with the London Concert Choir at Cadogan Hall in London, to playing latin jazz with the great conga player Robin Jones at Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club. He has also played at the 02 with the O’Jays, performed ethio-jazz at the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Royal Festival Hall, and the Met in New York (but not all at the same time!)

Apart from the countless weddings and corporate gigs that all musicians have done, James has worked with and recorded for The Heliocentrics, Family Atlantica, London Concert Choir, London Vocal Project, Molotov JukeBox, The O’Jays, DJ Gaslamp Killer, Down to the Bone, Mary Wilson, Brazilian rapper Criolo, Talib Kweli, Snowboy, producer Tony Visconti, Jim Stapley, Robin Jones Latin Underground Orchestra, King Salsa, Steve Waterman, NYJO, David Axelrod, The Kooks, Maxi Priest, Steve Brookstein, Digby Fairweather, Rufus Reid, Byron Wallen, Finn Peters, Alexander Hawkins Large Ensemble, The Glen Miller Orchestra, Saravah Soul, Miss Hoodoo and the Delta Boys, The Black Jesus Experience , Joe Stilgoe, Big Band Metheny, David Okumu, Seb Rochford ,Tom Herbert, Steve Nieve, Camille O’Sullivan, Jolie Holland, Terry Edwards , St Etienne, Roy Hemmings, The Spike Orchestra, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, Alex Kapranos, Sam Amidon, Jason Lindner and last but not in the slightest least, The Hackney Colliery Band.

James has performed at many dance halls and very exclusive office cupboards throughout the land. He has also performed at various festivals in the UK, most notably Glastonbury, in Europe (Montreux Jazz Festival), Australia (Melbourne International Jazz Festival), Japan (Fuji Rock), and Canada (Montreal Jazz Festival). He has also played in Russia, South Africa Brazil and America.

He has performed live on the BBC National Radio and TV, which was fun.

West End and show experience includes: Queen of the Night (James sadly was not the Queen in this one), Jersey Boys, Dancing in the Streets, and Daddy Cool. A particular highlight was taking a centre stage solo wearing a tight muscle vest and shades while pretending to be the stepson of Michael Jackson.