James Collins was born in Exeter, U.K. 1984, and moved to Perth, Western Australia with his family before he was three. He began learning guitar with the late Andy Hassan at nine and made his first public appearance in the same year.

From school, James began a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Western Australia under the tutelage of John Casey. After winning the prize for the highest performance mark in the University of Western Australia School of Music, James moved to Manchester to take up studies at the RNCM with leading guitarist Craig Ogden, where he was awarded the Royal Northern College of Music Overseas Governor's Award. It was at the RNCM that he met the Irish composer Michael Doherty, who has collaborated with James in the six orchestral tracks of this recording.

James has performed extensively on the guitar and lute throughout England, as well as Scotland, Prague, Vienna and Australia, both as soloist and chamber musician.

As this CD is released, James is residing in Perth, and is also taking work as a recording and mixing engineer.

Album Notes:

1) Sunburst
A joyously explosive romp to open with, James' agility and subtlety of tone are brought to the fore in Andrew York's famous showpiece for solo guitar.

2) Danza Brasiliera
With it's propulsive rhythms and juicy harmonies, Jorge Morel's virtuosic number transports the listener straight to South America. The party atmosphere is deftly conveyed by James.

3) Nuages
Django Reinhardt's Nuages is a much loved jazz classic and has recently been rearranged by French guitarist Roland Dyens. This interpretation is smokily and seductively coaxed from the guitar by our soloist.

4) They Can't Take That Away From Me
A classic from the golden era of the musical, Gershwin's heartfelt love song takes on a new hue in this charming arrangement for guitar and orchestra, where the soloist first takes centre stage and then begins an improvisatory conversation with the orchestra. Relaxing yet thoroughly engaging!

5) But Not For Me
The Gershwin theme continues with this gem from Girl Crazy. At first poignant and then extroverted, this standard really lets James flex his jazz muscles, and he does so with ease and panache.

6) Romance
Often heralded as the lynchpin of the classical guitar repertoire, this anonymous elegy has many famous interpreters, but few have displayed the spectrum of colour and dynamic that James brings to this track.

7) Lagrima
The Spanish guitarist and composer Francisco Tarréga is not as well known as he ought to be. A true Romantic at heart and in style, his work tests the emotional capabilities of the soloist and in Lagrima James responds beautifully.

8) Hallelujah
Arranged by the Irish composer Michael Doherty, this modern classic that has spoken to a whole generation gets the guitar and orchestral treatment in this scintillating performance. Essential listening!

9) Deep River
A moving and soul inspiring interpretation of this American spiritual.

10) In My Life
A solo guitar here captures the modern romanticism of this Beatles' love song, with a stunningly evocative playing style.

11) Here Comes The Sun
More of Beatles Here, and a perfect complement to the previous track, full of joy and...well...sunshine!

12) The Way You Look Tonight
The title track, again arranged by Doherty, utilises the soloist's full range of colour and mood, culminating in an arresting solo codetta. A contemporary take on Jerome Kern's beloved masterpiece.

13) Can't Help Falling In Love With You
Covered many times, but never quite like this, Messrs Weiss, Peretti & Creatore's most famous tune has never sounded so good!