BIOGRAPHY

James Boyd is one of the finest classical guitarists playing today. The great maestro Julian Bream summed up his unique artistry – ‘James has the art of communication. You can’t teach that ….it’s a gift….’

Long ago he awarded James the Julian Bream prize in recognition of this extraordinary talent. Since then James’ playing has been heard at the World’s great concert halls and festivals.

  • ‘I will remember your performance for the rest of my life'

    - audience member, Delft Chamber Music Festival, Holland
  • ‘That concert... I said to my wife ‘We’ll remember this for the rest of our lives’

    - audience member at a privately curated event, Barningham Hall, England
  • ‘We feel that you are playing for us personally and that we are part of the performance…’

    - audience member, Cley Contemporary Art, England

James releases a small number of concerts each year and works with private clients to create extraordinary musical experiences in secret locations. He has produced unique concerts all around Britain: from a seventeenth-century courtyard in a hidden Cornish valley to the hold of a sailing barge on the Thames. He sailed his yacht Concord to the Aldeburgh Festival to give the acclaimed premiere of Jonathan Dove’s The Immortal Ship and his Wilderness Concert productions have become renowned for the way they touch all of the senses in settings of dramatic beauty.

James is a passionate advocate for new music, working with some of the finest composers. He has commissioned and premiered many new works. The Royal Academy of Music has elected him an associate in recognition of his distinguished contribution to music.

James is also a respected public speaker, has lectured at the Royal Academy of Music and regularly speaks on a variety of topics from the Art of Learning to the Transformational Power of Music. He delivers seminars on world-class learning and performance to elite business leaders.

‘The power of narrative is the foundation of our society. And James is the master-craftsman of this foundational aspect of our story’

– Brynn Bayman, Framlingham College

James Boyd Website Portrait 2 Image
James Boyd Website Portrait 3 Image
  • James Boyd Website Concord Image
  • James Boyd Website Concord Image
  • James Boyd Website Concord Image
  • James Boyd Website Concord Image

Concord of Mersea

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James loves walking and sailing. His classic boat Concord of Mersea is a muse that provides escape and inspiration. Passionate about learning he has embarked on many journeys from cold water swimming to walking a slackline.

A creative first and foremost he can often be found carving wood, building furniture and dream-like creations for his children. Fine wine, good food and good company are a triad he likes to return to as often as possible.