Adam James was born in Kapuskasing, Ontario. He studied jazz drumming
at McGill University where he earned a B.Mus. (distinction). While
still a student he sang jazz while playing drums with the group he
co-founded, Panache. The money the group made performing in clubs and
at concerts paid for their studies as well as their first CD "Take Us
Home."
Three years later Panache released their second CD "It's About Time" to
critical acclaim. The disc contained seven jazz standards and eleven
original compositions. The success of this release led to the
association with Montreal's Preservation Records label and the band's
third release "Styles."
Acclaimed as an award winning singer/songwriter while fronting Panache,
Adam pursued many solo performing opportunities. In the year following
her father's death, Tina Sinatra chose Adam to portray her father,
Frank, in the first-ever musical theater production about his life
entitled, "Sinatra: Remembered." Following this career-defining run,
Adam was lured to New York to co-star in one of the longest running
off-Broadway shows of all-time, "Our Sinatra" at the legendary jazz
venue Birdland. London's West End production of "The Rat Pack" had Adam
cover the role of Sinatra for their North American premiere run last
year. Most recently, Adam replaced fellow Canadian crooner Michael
Bublé starring as the vocalist/ emcee for the American tour of "Forever
Swing."
Adam also continues to perform internationally with symphonies and big
bands starring in the show he co-created with conductor/arranger David
Martin, " A Toast To Ol' Blue Eyes." In the show Adam sings in his own
style and tells stories about the greatest singer of the 20th century -
Frank Sinatra. Most recently, Adam performed his show to five packed
houses while opening the pops season as guest artist of The Detroit
Symphony. He has also performed his show with Orchestra London, the
Macon Symphony Orchestra, the Atlanta Pops and numerous jazz ensembles.
Since The Jazz Report named Adam James "Best Vocalist with a Group" in
1997 for his work with the Trio Panache, he has been increasingly
recognized as one of the top male vocalists internationally. He was
honored this past year with the nomination for a Genie Award (the
Canadian "Oscar") for singing and co-writing the theme song Mambo
Italiano. Adam has shared the stage with Ray Charles, Tony Bennett and
Liza Minnelli.
Currently in pre-production for his first solo CD, Adam is thrilled to
be creating with renowned composer/arranger/producer Dave Pierce. Dave
has worked with artists such as Jann Arden, Michael Bublé, Petula Clark
and Supertramp plus numerous Broadway and touring musicals. For the
past twelve years Dave has been the resident composer of The Calgary
Stampede's Grandstand Show (which this summer will feature Adam as lead
singer in a cast of 200 performers!) Most recently Dave composed and
conducted the music for The Queen's visit to Calgary.
