Jim studied at the Leeds College of Music where he obtained a first class BA Honours degree in Jazz and Contemporary Music, studying piano with Nikki Isles.  After Leeds he moved to London, studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he gained a Post Graduate Certificate in Jazz and Studio music, studying, among others,with pianists Simon Purcell and John Taylor.  Moving to London in 1996 , Jim began to work with a broad selection of artists both in the jazz and the pop idiom and continues to enjoy a varied selection of work with many different performers both live and in the recording studio.  

He performed with artists such as Meshell Ndegeocello , Gary Barlow, Marti Pellow Cat Stevens Paloma Faith Chris Difford (Squeeze) , Hamish Stuart (Average White Band) ,Zero 7 (world tour), Brand New Heavies, Incognito(world tour) Omar, Lalo Schifrin US3(european tour), James Taylor Quartet, Patti Austin(Berghausen Jazz Festival), Gary Moore, Gerard Presencer Guy Barker International Septet, Jim Watson Trio, The Organ trio,(Jim Mullen), New York voices, Bobby Watson, James Moody (tour of spain) Javon Jackson, Herb Geller, Pat Kane(Hue and Cry), Jill Scott (Mobo awards), Dave O' Higgins Julian Arguelles Quartet, Omar (Montreux Jazz Festival),BBC big band, Clark Tracey, Alan Barnes, Peter King, Jean Toussaint. Recent work Currently playing keyboards in the Strictly Come Dancing House Band, M.D for Marti Pellow (Wet Wet Wet) , Keyboards and Piano with Katie Melua, and performing with Manu Katche's band (Sting, Peter Gabriel) Discography/Awards James appears on Manu Katches recent release on ECM Records, 'In a Sentimental Me' Marti Pellow (featured as Pianist/M.D and String/Band Arranger 'Soundtrack' by Guy Barker 'The Big Shake Up' and the Grinders Monkey' by the Dave O'Higgins Band,out on shortfuse records, 'Life, Stranger Than Fiction' by Incognito,'Autumnal'- Geoff Gascoyne Quartet, Gerard Presencers 'The Optimist' on Linn records,and NYJO's album '47 Frith St' recorded live at ronnie scott's.' 

 James was nominated for the '1998 BT Jazz Awards' in the rising star category,won the 'Best Soloist Prize' in the 'European Jazz contest held in Belgium in 1996,and was the overall winner of the 'Worshipful Company of Musicians' award in 1997.