Adam James(XXXV)

Adam James was born in Kapuskasing, Ontario. He studied jazz drumming at McGill University where he earned a B.Mus. (distinction). While still a student he sang jazz while playing drums with the group he co-founded, Panache. The money the group made performing in clubs and at concerts paid for their studies as well as their first CD "Take Us Home."

Three years later Panache released their second CD "It's About Time" to critical acclaim. The disc contained seven jazz standards and eleven original compositions. The success of this release led to the association with Montreal's Preservation Records label and the band's third release "Styles."

Acclaimed as an award winning singer/songwriter while fronting Panache, Adam pursued many solo performing opportunities. In the year following her father's death, Tina Sinatra chose Adam to portray her father, Frank, in the first-ever musical theater production about his life entitled, "Sinatra: Remembered." Following this career-defining run, Adam was lured to New York to co-star in one of the longest running off-Broadway shows of all-time, "Our Sinatra" at the legendary jazz venue Birdland. London's West End production of "The Rat Pack" had Adam cover the role of Sinatra for their North American premiere run last year. Most recently, Adam replaced fellow Canadian crooner Michael Bublé starring as the vocalist/ emcee for the American tour of "Forever Swing."

Adam also continues to perform internationally with symphonies and big bands starring in the show he co-created with conductor/arranger David Martin, " A Toast To Ol' Blue Eyes." In the show Adam sings in his own style and tells stories about the greatest singer of the 20th century - Frank Sinatra. Most recently, Adam performed his show to five packed houses while opening the pops season as guest artist of The Detroit Symphony. He has also performed his show with Orchestra London, the Macon Symphony Orchestra, the Atlanta Pops and numerous jazz ensembles.

Since The Jazz Report named Adam James "Best Vocalist with a Group" in 1997 for his work with the Trio Panache, he has been increasingly recognized as one of the top male vocalists internationally. He was honored this past year with the nomination for a Genie Award (the Canadian "Oscar") for singing and co-writing the theme song Mambo Italiano. Adam has shared the stage with Ray Charles, Tony Bennett and Liza Minnelli.

Currently in pre-production for his first solo CD, Adam is thrilled to be creating with renowned composer/arranger/producer Dave Pierce. Dave has worked with artists such as Jann Arden, Michael Bublé, Petula Clark and Supertramp plus numerous Broadway and touring musicals. For the past twelve years Dave has been the resident composer of The Calgary Stampede's Grandstand Show (which this summer will feature Adam as lead singer in a cast of 200 performers!) Most recently Dave composed and conducted the music for The Queen's visit to Calgary.