DISCOGRAPHY
James can be heard on dozens of CD’s as both a performer on Acoustic/Electric Guitar and Banjo, or employing his creative skills as a Composer/Arranger.
MOST RECENT PROJECTS
Cecile McLorin Salvant – WomanChild (2013), Mack Avenue Records. Acoustic Guitar/Banjo
Gil Evans Centennial Project: Newly-discovered works of Gil Evans dir. by Ryan Truesdell, Artist Share Records (2012) Multiple Grammy Award nominee; winner of Jazz Journalist Association Jazz Awards – Record of the Year and Large Ensemble of the Year; http://gilevansproject.com/ Acoustic and Electric Guitar.
SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY AS COMPOSER-ARRANGER-CONDUCTOR
James Chirillo – Sultry Serenade (2000) Nagel-Heyer Records
Selected by Dan Morgenstern as a 2000 Critics’ Picks – Jazz Times; and as one of C. Michael Bailey‘s Top Ten List of Jazz Releases for 2000 – allaboutjazz.com Composer, Arranger, Acoustic and Electric Guitar.
Gotham Wind Symphony– New Year New Music(2009) ArtistShare http://www.artistshare.com/v4/Projects/Experience/36/216/1 Featured Composer: March – to the memory of Bill Finegan
Warren Vaché and the Scottish Ensemble – Don’t Look Back (2006) Arbors Records
Composer, Arranger, Conductor, Electric Guitar
Including original composition: Valse Prismatique
Gotham Wind Symphony – American Gotham (2006) Wack Cylinder Records
Featured Composer: Prelude (to a minor insensitivity)
Loren Schoenberg and his Jazz Orchestra – Out of This World (1999) TCB Records
Arranger (including title tune), Acoustic and Electric Guitar
Ken Peplowski – A Good Reed (1997) Concord Jazz
Arranger, Composer, Conductor, Guitar
Including original composition: Homage Concerto for Clarinet and Jazz Orchestra
Note: contrary to the liner notes on the recording, the Homage Concerto was completed in April of 1996, and was never in any way dedicated to, or associated with, Benny Goodman. I wrote the three movements in homage to three composer/arrangers whose work had a profound impact upon my musical outlook, and whose music I find constantly rewarding and which I love to play. The first movement was inspired by Eddie Sauter (particularly his writing for the post-WWII Ray McKinley Orchestra), the second mvt by John Carisi, and the third by Billy Strayhorn.
SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY AS PERFORMER
Evan Christopher – The Remembering Song (2010) Arbors Records
Electric Guitar
Benny Carter – Benny Carter Centennial Project (2007) Evening Star Records
Acoustic Guitar
Kenny Davern/Ken Peplowski – Dialogues (2007) Arbors Records
Banjo/Electric Guitar
Kenny Davern – The Kenny Davern Quartet : In Concert at the Outpost Performance Space, Albuquerque, 2004 (2005) Arbors Records
Electric Guitar
Kenny Davern – The Kenny Davern Quartet at the Mill Hill Playhouse (2003) Arbors Records
Electric Guitar
Scott Robinson – Melody From The Sky (2000) Arbors Records (selected as a 2000 Critics’ Picks – Jazz Times)
Electric Guitar
Bob Wilber/Dick Hyman – A Perfect Match (1998) Arbors Records
Selected as a Meilleurs disques chroniques en 1998 – The Hot Club of France; as one of the Golden Dozen for 1998 – Radio DRS Switzerland; and as a 1998 Critics’ Picks – Jazz Times.
Electric Guitar
Daryl Sherman – Celebrating Mildred Bailey and Red Norvo (1996) Audiophile Records
Arranger/Acoustic Guitar
Tony Bennett – Here’s To The Ladies (1995) Columbia
Acoustic Guitar
Marcus Roberts – Portraits In Blue (1995) Sony Classical
Featured Banjo soloist
Joe Lovano/Gunther Schuller – Rush Hour (1994) Blue Note
(Downbeat International Jazz Critics 1995 best album of the year)
Acoustic/Electric Guitar
Joe Wilder – No Greater Love (1993) Evening Star Records
Electric Guitar
Buck Clayton Orchestra – Live In Greenwich Village (1990) Nagel-Heyer Records
Electric Guitar
Claude Williams – Live At J’s, Vols. 1 & 2 (1989) Arhoolie Records
Electric Guitar
Benny Goodman – Yale Archives, Vol. 1 (1988) Music Masters
Acoustic Guitar