Whether you catch Nathan James as his true one man band playing guitar, stomping out time on his custom suitcase drum set, while singing and blowing harmonica, or leading his new trio, you are sure to be moved and impressed with the unique energy and soul that he possesses. Nathan James is a well respected and experienced artist in his field. For over 12 years now, he has successfully made his living soley on specializing in his passion of blues, and American roots music. Starting his career of full time gigging musician at age 18, Nathan is no stranger to live performance.
While simultaneously discovering the guitar and the blues at age 13, Nathan James has since been in complete focus as to where his life goal would lead. Growing up in the small town of Fallbrook Ca, has been influential in deciding to choose this path. "There wasn't a lot to do here, so you either got in trouble, or found something productive to do!" Having supportive parents that didn't force him into the usual college after high school, allowed Nathan to go straight into the 'real working world' of playing music.
"Part of it was luck that I was able to get paying gigs right off the bat!" Local blues bands the Blues Pharaohs and Billy Watson gave Nathan a chance to get his feet wet with enough local gigs to support himself literally a month after graduating school! This led to also working with well known Southern California blues acts Jamie Wood, and Johnny Dyer. And while playing with them, Nathan got the call from internationally known blues veteran James Harman at age 19, to join his band and tour the country. With Harman is where he gained experience that has shaped most of his own career.
After touring and recording nonstop with Harman for 3 1/2 years, Nathan decided to have a go at literally a solo career- that is playing one man acoustic based blues. This was instantly successful, leading to playing over 30 gigs a month at times!! With the strain of carrying the entire show by yourself all the time, Nathan met up with harmonica player/vocalist Ben Hernandez, a like minded young blues musician aficionado, and together they started working as a duo. As word spread of these two and their ability to bring back to life the spirit of duos like Sonny Terry and Brownie Mcghee country blues, they gained international notoriety while traveling all over the West Coast and; In 2007, they entered the International Blues Challenge in Memphis TN, and took 1st place! This really has made their reputation spread like wildfire. That year alone the duo travelled to Denmark, Italy and Taiwan.
Most recently Nathan's duo partner Ben Hernandez has decided to move to Charlotte NC, so in between their scheduled tours Nathan will once again be focusing on his one man band act, and other new projects including leading his own band, working with local favorite Billy Watson; vocalist Olivia Pierson; and working with blues greats James Harman and Kim Wilson. He has also been working as a side man for hire with his talents on guitar, and upright bass. What ever combination you see him in, you're sure to catch a top notch show!
