James, more widely known as Jay, began playing the bass guitar at age 13. He made
his playing debut with the Westcoast Women’s Chorus performing the song, My
Mind’s Made Up recorded by Rev. Milton Brunson and the Thompson Community
Choir.
While Still in his teens, Jay travelled the world with the Westcoast Gospel Chorus of
Florida and the HLP Love Campaign®. Those concerts and tours gave Jay the
opportunity to travel all over the Continental United States, Africa, Europe and the
Caribbean. The television appearances aired on local and national network
television stations including FOX, NBC, The CW and BET Network.
James has an Associates and Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Performance from
Florida International University, and is versed in many genres of music ranging from
R&B (Pop, Rock, Soul, Jazz, Gospel) to Latin.
His playing ability opened other doors for him with Gospel greats such as Hezekiah
Walker, Kim Burrell, Shirley Ceasar, the late Albertina Walker, Dorthy Norwood, Kurt
Carr, Byron Cage, Richard Smallwood and the late Bishop Walter Hawkins. Secular
artist include, Terrell Carter, Quin from the R&B group Blackstreet, Chester Gregory
(The Eve of Jackie Wilson) and Broadway artist, Melba Moore.
James served as the Assistant Music Director and Bassist for Recording Artist
Chadwick on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. He is currently the Resident Music Director
for the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe of Florida, Inc. in Sarasota, Florida and over
the last 10 years has co-arranged over 15 new musicals and well has composed
many songs for those new original musicals.
He has also traveled throughout the United States and Germany as Music Director
and Bassist for The Soul Crooners, the last 10 years (An International touring group).
This show won “Best of the Best “at the National Black Theatre Festival in WinstonSalem, North Carolina.
In 2017 He formed “JD Productions, LLC” where he offers Music Director for hire
services, recording services, bass lessons and artist job placement and sound
reinforcement to artist. He is a producer, composer, arranger, songwriter, and most
importantly a loving husband to his wife Renae and their two boys, Jay 3 and Kai.