Jazz Pianist & Improviser
James Elliot Quinn is a pianist, improviser and composer/arranger based in Brixton, South London. James’ sound is most heavily inspired by modern jazz and romanticism, combining Chopin-esque technique into jazz repertoire to feature sensitive harmonies and diverse reimaginings of traditional jazz standards.
James performs regularly in hotels, bars/restaurants, functions and corporate events, having recently worked with clients such as The National Theatre, Neal Street Productions, The Four Seasons Hotel, The National Portrait Gallery and Big Bus Tours Ltd.
James is an active player in the live London scene, having performed at venues such as Ronnie’s Bar - Ronnie Scotts, The Crypt - St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Larry’s Bar - The National Portrait Gallery, The Rudolf Steiner Theatre, The Courtyard Theatre, Hootananny Brixton, Mau Mau Bar, Paper Dress Vintage, The Jago, Gerry’s Club - Soho and many more including further afield at the Shaftesbury Fringe Festival and Maui Waui Festival in Norwich.
He is a founding member of Sunnymoon Jazz Band where he features his carefully crafted, original arrangements of classic jazz repertoire, alongside Simon Lawrence on vocals.
The Story
James is originally from Newcastle Upon Tyne and whilst growing up there was introduced to his first love, that of the guitar and the blues. He was exposed to the concept of improvisation early in his musical development which helped later give way towards both traditional and contemporary jazz disciplines.
It wasn’t until years later, after having moved to London in 2012, that the calling to the piano became too much to ignore and so James took to dedicating his insomniatic nights to the pursuit of jazz piano, devoting endless hours to the cause.
He shut himself away in his microscopic London room and, after a year of obsessive training, emerged a pianist.
This concentrated diligence paid off, as James went on to graduate from the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance with a first class honours degree, having performed his final recital on the piano, and the shift from the guitar to piano left him a far more versatile and experienced musician. He has played regularly in venues and bands in and around London for the past ten years.