James Davis was born and educated in Dorset, and after working for several years as a scientist for the Admiralty and the Atomic Energy Authority, his interest in music developed and he decided to change careers. He studied singing with Kenneth Ellis and Eugenie Campbell. For some years he was Director of Music in state schools but continued to sing professionally. Eventually he became a free-lance musician, which allowed him greater freedom and flexibility to pursue a singing career.

James has an extensive repertoire of songs, ensembles, operatic and choral works, having sung the Bass/Baritone roles in all the major standard choral compositions of the last three centuries. His repertoire ensures that he is kept busy throughout the year, travelling widely to sing with choirs and Music Societies across England. He has sung leading roles in a wide range of operas – including all the popular Mozart works, Beethoven’s “Fidelio”, Rossini’s “Barber of Seville”, Britten’s “Peter Grimes”, Verdi’s “Nabucco”, Saint-Saëns “Samson et Dalila” Puccini’s “Tosca” and “La Bohème”. Recently he sang the role of Valentine in Gounod’s “Faust” and has just performed the roles of Lindorf and Dr. Miracle in Offenbach’s opera, “The Tales Of Hoffmann” with White Horse Opera. Later this year he will be singing the role of  Gremin in Tchaikowsky’s “Eugene Onegin”.

His knowledge and love of French song has led to several recitals in France. As baritone soloist, he sang with the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus on their Italian tour and has performed with the London Welsh Male Voice Choir. In 2004 he sang the baritone solos in a combined French/English choir performance of Fauré’s “Requiem” for the 60th anniversary of D-Day in France with Christopher Dowie. He has worked with many national and international conductors including John Eliot Gardiner, Bernard Keeffe, Odaline de la Martinez and Walter Wangenheim.

In addition to performing, James is a teacher of singing and a vocal coach. In his spare time he enjoys composing. He has written several songs, a cantata and two musicals; “Adelaide” (book by Leon Garfield) and “David” based on the life of the biblical king.