About Ingrid James

Award-winning jazz vocalist and educator in Queensland, Australia with an extensive history of performance throughout Australia and internationally. Highlights of her career include national television appearances & performances with the Queensland Symphony and Philharmonic Orchestras at the Queensland & Gold Coast Performing Arts Centres to intimate duos, trios, quartets or quintets at Festivals, Jazz Clubs and corporate events around Australia, together with appearances in London at Ronnie Scotts, 606 Club, Pizza Express Jazz Club, Spice of Life along with performances in Paris, Monte Carlo, Nice, Marseilles, Toulon and Prague and other venues throughout Europe. Ingrid also is currently performing in the Brisbane Contemporary Jazz Orchestra (19 piece) big band and has a joint project with long time musical collaborator Louise Denson titled Colours Of Your Love by “Wild Silk Strings Project” distributed by MGM's The Planet Company on 7 September 2019. Official Brisbane Launch Saturday 29 September (see gigs).

 

INDUSTRY REVIEWS 

Music critic Alan Bargebuhr in New York's Cadence Magazine described Ingrid's CD “Essence” as a probable candidate for his Best 10 list in 2005. Other reviewers acknowledge the heartfelt warmth and intimate style that characterize her performances. Tony Backhouse from New Zealand says "Ingrid James floats and swings effortlessly through the changes with a tone of honey. As well as great technique, there's an engaging warmth to her delivery like a close friend smiling at you". David Bentley, music journalist says "You've probably heard these songs before - but never like this. Thoughtful, inventive and, above all, swinging, Ingrid squeezes every line for nuance and meaning. The impeccable phrasing and accurate intonation come almost as a bonus." Scott Yanow (Author of The Jazz Singers, The Great Jazz Guitarists, Jazz on Film and Jazz on Record 1917-1976) says “Ingrid is one of the top jazz singers from Australia…has a beautiful voice, a wide range, and the ability to sing difficult intervals with ease, hitting every note perfectly in-tune. She is an original improviser, always swings, and is skilled at embracing lyrics that she believes in”.  Steve Robertson from Australia’s Portland Observer 2012 and Radio Presenter says “Ingrid is a singer whose note-perfect delivery and depth of lyrical expression has elevated her into the elite of Australia’s musical talents”.  And after touring and recording with Downbeat’s 7 time Trombonist of the Year winner, Bill Watrous noted “If this were the 50’s Jazz era, Ingrid James would be performing alongside other greats such as Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. She is by far one of the best jazz vocalists I have ever worked with”.

Ingrid has completed a Master of Music Studies from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music in Vocal Pedagogy (Contemporary Voice)) and has a Graduate Diploma in Film and Television from The Australian Film, Television and Radio School, Sydney. She teaches privately and regularly runs master classes and workshops as well as facilitates these workshops for national and international visiting artists. Ingrid also is a consultant for international touring acts. 

 

She has served as a committee member of ANATS (Australian National Association of Teachers of Singing) and executive committee of  Jazz Queensland. Ingrid is founder and presenter of the iconic monthly Jazz Singers’ Jam Night presented at the Brisbane Jazz Club and is Festival Director of the very first Brisbane Vocal Jazz Festival (kicking off in 2016 to present).

 

She is a strong advocate for encouraging emerging jazz vocalists in her State and through the creation of the Jazz Singers’ Jam Night (from 2001 and continuing) she has provided a “live” performance avenue through which 3 generations of jazz singers have been able to test, learn and develop skills in front of a supportive audience at the Brisbane Jazz Club.

 

Her last international CD collaboration “Trajectoire” (recorded in Paris) was released nationally in February 2016 through Newmarket Music.  This CD is an originals project and joint collaboration with French pianist, Alexis Tcholakian, who composed the melodies, while Ingrid wrote the lyrics.

 

She was invited to record and contribute original as well as non-original songs to both LOST MY HEART and BLUE CONFLUENCE (Executive Producer: Jim Lewis, Trombonist/Bandleader of San Gabriel 7, US).  She recorded and toured with Bill Watrous (7 time winner “Trombonist of the Year” Downbeat Magazine) on the Lost My Heart CD and Eric Marienthal (sax) on the Blue Confluence CD.

 

Other international CD collaborations have been with Paul Armstrong (trumpet) and Todd Harrison (drums/guitar) on their Global Collective CD “Pangaea” (released nationally through Newmarket Music 2011); as well as a joint collaboration with Australian-born/UK singer, Trudy Kerr on "Reunion" (recorded in London and distributed internationally and    through The Planet Company in 2010). Other CD’s include "Circumflex", a duo CD with pianist John Reeves (2009 Newmarket Music), "Portrait" (a joint project with Louise Denson - 2007 Newmarket Music) & "Essence" (2005 Newmarket Music).

 

Performance highlights/Festivals attended :

• Reduta Jazz Club, Prague
• Argharta Jazz Club, Prague
• Jazz Dock, Prague
• Jazz at the Tower, Folkestone
• 606 Club, Chelsea, London
• Ronnie Scotts Upstairs, London
• Pizza Express Jazz Club, London
• Baltic Bar, London
• Spice of Life, London
• Le Franc Pinot Jazz Club, Paris
• Blue Note, Monaco, France
• Montbardon Jazz Festival, France
• Swan Bar, Paris
• La Cave du Relais, Tourettes sur Loups, France
• Le Club Venture, Marseilles, France
• Le Castellet, France
• Le Bandol, France
• National Theatre Foyer, London
• Catalinas, Los Angeles
• The Jazz Bakery, Los Angeles
• Studio 188, Ipswich Civic Centre
• Jumpers and Jazz Festival, Warwick
• Magnetic Island Jazz Festival, Queensland
• Townsville School of Arts Theatre
• Devonport Jazz Festival, Tasmania
• Ellingtons Jazz Club, Perth
• Blue Dog Jazz Series, Sydney
• 505 Jazz Club, Sydney
• Manly Jazz Festival, Sydney
• Ellington Jazz Club, Perth
• Fremantle Jazz Club, West Australia
• Devonport Jazz Festival, Tasmania
• Paris Cat, Melbourne
• Dizzys, Melbourne
• Rising Sun Hotel, Melbourne
• The Basement Sydney
• Brisbane Jazz Festival, Powerhouse
• Harrigans Jazz and Seafood Festival
• Ipswich Jazz Festival
• Surfers Paradise A La Carte Festival
• Broadbeach Jazz Festival
• Empire Theatre, Toowoomba
• Sunshine Coast Jazz Club, Currimundi
• Brisbane Festival - Courier-Mail Spiegeltent with The East Coast Ensemble
• Creative Generation On Stage @ Queensland Performing Arts Centre
• Noosa International Jazz Festival (2001 - 2015), Queensland
• Ambiwerra Jazz Food and Wine Festival, Brisbane
• Kangaroo Point Jazz and Blues Festival, Brisbane
• Seafood and Soul Festival, Manly
• Harvey Bay Jazz Festival, Queensland
• Dingo Creek Jazz Festival, Queensland
• Red Dog Jazz, Sydney
• Jazz Worx Club, Brisbane
• Brisbane Jazz Club
• Gold Coast City Jazz Club
• The Basement, Gold Coast Arts Centre
• Women's Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Melbourne  
• Bennetts Lane, Melbourne
• Judith Wright Centre, Brisbane
• Jazz Queensland's Brisbane International Jazz Festival & Valley Jazz Festival, Australia
• ABC-TV's "Spirit of Christmas" with Queensland Orchestra @ QPAC
• Cole Porter Tribute with Soloist with Donald Cant & Qld Orchestra/Tommy Tycho @ QPAC
• Gershwin Tribute with Qld Symphony Orchestra/Tommy Tycho @ QPAC (Swing Diva)
• Gershwin Tribute with Qld Philharmonic Orchestra/Dobbs Franks @ The Tivoli (Swing Diva)
• Smith Family Fundraiser with Qld Symphony Orchestra/Tommy Tycho @ Gold Coast Arts
• Schools Concerts @ Chandler with Soloist Qld Symphony Orchestra
• Lord Mayor’s Lunchtime Concerts and Gala Dinners @ Brisbane Town Hall
• Ian Hangar Theatre, Conservatorium of Music
• 4MBS Performance Studio, Brisbane
• Burt Bacharach Tribute 2004 @ Brisbane City Hall
• 'Lush Lives' - a Toast to Ella, Anita & Sarah @ Brisbane Jazz Club 2004
• Groove and Grape Festival, Brisbane
• Noosa Jazz Festival, Queensland
• Manly Jazz Festival, Sydney, Australia
• Bellingen Jazz Festival, New South Wales
• Kiama Jazz Festival, New South Wales
• Riverfestival, Brisbane, Queensland
• Mackay Arts Festival, Queensland
• Gold Coast Jazz Festival, Queensland
• Kingscliff Jazz Festival, New South Wales
• 4BC Samford Valley Jazz Festival, Queensland (Artistic Director 2 years)
• Bayside Jazz Festival, Queensland
• Doo-Bop Jazz Bar
• Brisbane City Hall

 

Recent Career Highlights

Masters of Music Studies (Vocal Pedagogy) @ Griffith University, Queensland Conservatorium

of Music 2017 (Distinction)

 

Academic Award for Excellence, Griffith University, Queensland Conservatorium of Music 2016/2017/2018 

 

Member Golden Key International Honours Society 2017

Post-graduate studies in Vocal Pedagogy @ Griffith University, Queensland Conservatorium

of Music 2002 (distinction)

 

Academic Award for Excellence, Griffith University, Queensland Conservatorium of Music
Post graduate studies in Film and Television (Australian Film Television & Radio School, Sydney)

 

Academic Award for Excellence in Photography (QUT)

Colorama Prize for Photography, (QUT)

 

Winner: Queensland Industry Sunnie Awards for Best Jazz Album "Lazy Afternoon" &

 "Just Visiting"

 

Winner: Q Song Awards 2007 - Best original jazz song with Louise Denson - "Time to Be"

Professional artist/mentor/performer for Creative Generation Excellence Awards 2008-2011 & Schools OnStage @ Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane Entertainment Centre & Brisbane Convention Centre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre Concert Hall
 

Professional artist at Brisbane Jazz Club Talkin' Jazz Series for high school students (sponsored by Brisbane City Council)

 

Mentor State Education Department's Creative Generation 6 years

 

Conducted master classes and workshops in Brisbane, Mackay, Kiama, Los Angeles, France (Toulon, Marseilles, Montbardon), Prague, London (Guildhall), Devonport, Townsville, LA,

 

Private voice educator

Adjudicator for the Brisbane Vocal Eisteddfods and judging panels for Sheldon College, Conservatorium of Music, festival competitions, QSong, etc.,

Guest speaker at Contemporary Vocal Workshop DJ Arts, Convention Centre

 

Producer and presenter of monthly Jazz Singers' Jam Nights (held at Brisbane Jazz Club) since August 2001

 

Visiting artist workshop/masterclass facilitator (held at BJC & other venues) – Artists include Bill Watrous, Prof. Pete Churchill (UK), Aaron Goldberg, Reuben Rogers, Gregory Hutchinson, Eric Harland, Cathy Segal-Garcia, Dan Barnett, Matt Baker, Nic Jeffries, Chris McNulty, Malcolm McNeill (NZ), Libor Smoldas (Prague), Michelle Nicolle, Janet Seidel, etc., 

 

Artistic Musical Director Samford Valley Jazz Festival - 2 years

 

Guest lecturer at Queensland University of Technology, Music
 
Judge at ABC/Jazz Queensland Vocal competition for Biennial Valley Jazz Festival 2007/9

Queen of Noosa Jazz Festival 3 times between 2003-2014

 

Vice President - Jazz Queensland 2007-2013 (committee member 2013 - 2015)

 

Committee Member Australian National Association of Teachers of Singing
Member Australian Voice Association

 

Recordings to date

 

2018    "WILD SILK STRINGS PROJECT (released 7 September 2018 - MGM's The Planet Co)

Recorded in Brisbane, Australia. Producer: Paul Armstrong, Burning Sock Money Productions

Originals/covers - Co-production Ingrid James & Louise Denson

Musicians: Ingrid James (voice); Louise Denson (piano); Paul Armstrong (tpt/flugel); Paul Greggors White (tenor/baritone saxes); Martin Kay (alto/tenor); Christopher Todd Harrison (drums/percussion); Andrew Shaw (bass), Eugenie Costello-Shaw (violin); Richard Grantham (viola); Danielle Bentley (cello). 

 

2016    "TRAJECTOIRE" (released Newmarket Music, February 2016)
Recorded in Paris & Australia 2014/2015. Joint project with Alexis Tcholakian (piano, France)
Jazz – Features original material co-written by Alexis Tcholakian and Ingrid James.

2016 - SINGLE "I'm Not In Love" with San Gabriel 7

2014    "BLUE CONFLUENCE" Independent Release/Digital release worldwide
Recorded in Burbank, Los Angeles. Executive Producer: Jim Lewis
Features Eric Marienthal (sax) and Ingrid James (vocals)
Latin/Jazz/Funk – Features some original material as well as arrangements by Dave Cushman of Antonio Carlos Jobim,  Milton Nascimento, etc.,


2012    "LOST MY HEART" Independent Release/Digital release worldwide
Recorded in Burbank, Los Angeles. Executive Producer: Jim Lewis
Features Bill Watrous (trombone) and Ingrid James (vocals)
Latin/Jazz/Funk - Features some original material as well as arrangements by Dave Cushman of jazz standards, Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Horace Silver, Djavan, Miles Davis, George Shearing, etc.,


2011    "PANGAEA" (Newmarket Music)
Recorded in Australia & USA Joint project between Ingrid James (voice) Paul Armstrong (trumpet, USA) & Todd Harrison (drums/guitar, USA). Ingrid James & The Global Collective" -  Best described as World/Roots/Jazz (reworked/reinterpreted classic 70's songs from artists such as Bowie, Kansas, Blue Oyster Cult, Beach Boys, Janis Ian....etc.,)  


2010    "REUNION" (Jazzizit Records)
Recorded in London, UK Jazz –  Joint project – Ingrid James & Trudy Kerr
Australian distributor "Planet Distribution"
Jazz – Features material from Bob Dorough, Rogers and Hart, Bud Powell, Gerry Mulligan, Carole King, Baden Powell, Chick Corea, etc.,


2009    "CIRCUMFLEX (Newmarket Music)
Recorded in Australia – Duo CD with pianist John Reeves
Jazz - Features jazz standards, reharmonisations of Beatles, Beach Boys, Cream, Luis Bonfa, Mancini, etc.,


2007    "PORTRAIT" (Newmarket Music)
Recorded @ Griffith University, Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Australia
Joint project with Louise Denson (piano)
Jazz – Features original material as well as music from Grant Green and Billy Strayhorn
(Q Song 2007 Award Best Original Jazz Song for "Time to Be")


2005    "ESSENCE" (Newmarket Music)
Recorded in Australia featuring Matt Baker (p), Adrian Cunningham (sax/flute), Owen Newcomb (b) & John Parker (dr)
Jazz – Features jazz standards


2001    "LAZY AFTERNOON" (Independent)
Recorded in ABC FM’s Jazz Track with Malcolm Stanley as Producer/Engineer
"BEST JAZZ CD – Queensland Sunnie Awards Winner")


2001    "JUST VISITING" (Independent)
Recorded in Brisbane, Australia
"BEST JAZZ CD – Queensland Sunnie Awards Winner")


1991    "CAPTURED – LIVE @ MIDDENBURY" (ABC Music)
Recorded in ABC Studios, Brisbane, Australia


OTHER RECORDINGS as guest artist:

'FLAME TREE' by Louise Denson 2013 (Original music composed by Louise Denson. Some material co-written and performed by Ingrid James)

 

"UNDER THE COVERS" - "Strange Brew" from Circumflex featured on ABC Music release

 

"I'M NOT IN LOVE" - SAN GABRIEL 7 SINGLE RELEASE

 

"CAN WE STILL BE FRIENDS"  - SAN GABRIEL 7 SINGLE RELEASE

 

 

SONGS INGRID HAS CO-WRITTEN

Trajectoire

An Angel Touched Me

Dance With Me

It's Not Over

Blue Conflluence

Night Reflection

Jagged Thorn

Midsummer Flower

Circle of Love

A Page Has Turned

I Dream of You

Immigrant Song

Into the Groove

Not This Time

Lost My Heart

First Love

Think Twice

Gone Too Soon

Colours of Your Love

Wild December Wind

Maybe Tomorrow

Time To Be

Lost

Rent-a-Crowd