James has previously held organ scholarships at St Paul's Cathedral, King's College, London, the Royal Hospital Chelsea, and Truro Cathedral. He recently obtained a distinction in his Master's degree at the Royal Academy of Music, where he was a Bicentenary Scholarship holder.  

He is a regular performer, both as a soloist and an accompanist, and has appeared on broadcasts and recordings, as well as in a number of concert halls and cathedrals in the UK and abroad.

A pianist as well, James has won several Accompanist prizes and regularly performs alongside both instrumentalists and singers.