Brief Bio . . .
James has played professionally since his early teen years, in styles ranging from swing, classical, folk, jazz, rock, theater, blues and even square dance.
He attended Berklee College and B.U. summers on scholarship while still in high school. He also wrote music for theater and played in the orchestra for three summers at the Stockbridge Playhouse (MA) and Somers Point Theater (NJ).
After two years with a rock group, he settled in Manhattan for the next 15 years, where he first played in avant-garde groups and finally came full circle to compose and play on dozens of TV/radio commercials, records, corporate films and documentaries. During this time, he was musical director for LIFE magazine's 50th birthday gala at Radio City Music Hall.
His String Trio was recorded by musicians from the NY Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera and is posted on his download site: www.reverbnation.com/JamesBarr This piece was used in a documentary film he wrote and directed in Seville, Spain about the international olive industry.
James has played with diverse recording personalities such as Luther Van Dross and Gil Evans, as well as on many cabaret, folk and rock recordings. Paul Bley, Hal Overton, and Gerard Saulter were among his coaches. Other profound influences were Indian music studies with Dr. Wansantha Singh and eclectic cabaret work with Joanne Beretta in NYC. His film scores, as well as his compositions, were performed by New York's top studio and classical musicians. He has also worked in Copenhagan, Paris and London.
After a foray into film making, advertising, and marketing in Florida, James returned to music, focusing on classical guitar repertoire, as well as pop music played in his unique style, influenced by his jazz, classical and Indian studies.
James is a member of the Asheville Chamber of Commerce, and a past or current member of AFM#802 NYC, SAG, AFTRA and other professional associations.