STEVE JAMES-bio b.New York-15 July 1950. Early exposure to blues/folk through father, record collector and amateur guitarist. Self taught on guitar from age 12. Grad. high school and worked outside music and for guitar-builder Michael Gurian. Rel. to E. Tennesse in early '70s. Infl by area musicians incl. Sam McGee. Res. In Memphis 1975-77. Worked outside music, hosted radio show (WEVL),performed solo and as acc. For Furry Lewis, Lum Guffin, others. Rel. to Texas 1977. Played solo and led small combo (incl. Saxophonist Clifford Scott and drummer Bobby Irwin), also as support for Bo Diddley, John Hammond, Bill Monroe, Willie Dixon, John Lee Hooker, Dave Van Ronk, John Fahey, many others. Appeared at area clubs, concerts and festivals. Recorded regularly after 1988 (Antone's/Discovery, Burnside, Shanachie, Telarc, others) and toured internationally, principally as a soloist. Presently resides in Austin, Texas and augments performing activities with writing teaching, fishing, mixology.
STEVE JAMES artist profile Steve James is a well known name among devotees of contemporary acoustic folk and blues; this notoriety based on numerous critically acclaimed recordings, a tireless international tour schedule and a sheaf of published work including articles, instruction books and videos. His instrumental versatility (on guitar, slide guitar, mandolin, guitar-banjo) also makes him a favorite at music camps and workshop programs. He's been interviewed for features in Acoustic Guitar, Guitar Player, Blues Revue and Folk Roots (to name a few), and has been heard on "A Prairie Home Companion", The House Of Blues Network and many other syndicated programs worldwide.
In the studio, his solo efforts have been enriched by musical contributions from fellow travelers Bob Brozman, Bad Livers, Alvin Youngblood Hart,Cindy Cashdollar, Gary Primich, Ruthie Foster, and his frequent duet partner Del Rey. In turn, Steve has recorded with a diverse crew including Maria Muldaur, James McMurtry, Jesse 'Babyface' Thomas and Kevin Russell of the Gourds. He's played live with a slate of blues/roots luminaries including John Hammond, Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy and Howard Armstrong. His original songs have been variously covered by artists from new-folk phenom Ana Egge to folk/blues godfather Dave Van Ronk. Steve has also appeared on numerous compilation albums, including a recent Grammy-nominated tribute to Mississippi Fred McDowell and an homage to Charley Patton to which he contributed both music and liner notes.
A noted traveler, Steve James has toured extensively, playing at festivals,concerts and clubs throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Ireland and theU.K., continental Europe, Australia and Brazil and China.
CONTACT