Present
James has found his true calling…teaching. He taught 4th-12th grade band at The Colorado Springs School from 1998-2005 and is currently the Instrumental Music Director at Falcon High School. He continues to delight and inspire audiences across the United States in about 10 concerts a year. Although his music will bless your heart, James’ desire goes beyond just impressing you with his musical skill; he has a heart that's hungry to see people turn to Jesus, forgive others who've wronged them, and grow to all the fullness God has for them. His experiences have made him compassionate. He and his wife Susan have four beautiful children. James currently has two albums out, Kumbaya, released in 2002, and Holy Saxophone, released in 1997. He has recorded as a sideman on at least five other albums. He performed at the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee from 2000-2004. A Virginia native, he currently resides in Colorado Springs.
Past
In 1986, James joined the Army Band and graduated from the Army School of Music. While in the Army, he gained valuable experience playing various styles of music; classical, jazz, marching, and more. He served in the Army for a total of ten years in Virginia, Japan, and Colorado. His three years in Japan gave him an appreciation for foreign cultures and a heart for world missions. James has also taken a weeklong missions trip to China, which he describes as a defining moment in his Christian walk. His worldview has been influenced by his visits to S. Korea, Okinawa, Hong Kong, Mexico and Italy. Music can be used as a wonderful tool to reach our world.
James grew up in the church but still had a lot to learn about what forgiveness truly means. His natural father was a wife-beater at a time when people looked the other way at that sort of thing. Children often perceive God to be like their fathers. Despite knowing God loved and cared for him, James saw God as being ready to send out thunderbolts for the slightest infraction of His word. He didn't fully understand the Father heart of God until he became a father himself. In addition, sexual molestation experienced as a child caused hate in James’ spirit for over 8 years. By the time he was 16, James had so much hate in his heart for the neighbor who molested him that he wanted to kill him. James’ mother had taught him from a young age the importance of reading and obeying the Bible. The Scriptures he read each day taught him about forgiveness, but James still had thoughts of revenge in his heart. Until James was able to forgive from the heart, like the Bible commands, and allow God to be the one to take revenge, he didn't experience growth in his Christian walk. He wants to share this message of forgiveness with those who are hurting.
Hear James' testimony by clicking HERE
Future
Only God knows the future!