JamesColah's profile

'Ocean Tide' from 'The Parlett - Colah Project' has just been released and can be downloaded from a selection of stores here: http://artistcamp.rebeat.com/default.ashx?guid=cffe0975-3ba2-494b-af52-e475c95ebefd&rid=USRBD10001074

Within the next few months it will be available in over 300 stores around the world!

James Colah is an experienced professional Keyboard player/Producer/Arranger/Composer, with a credible and impressive history of achievement in the music industry.
Playing the piano at the age of four was the beginning of a musical career that has lasted many years and which still continues to thrive.
From initially being classically trained, James diverted into the more main stream genre of 'Fusion' which encapsulates Jazz and Rock.
James has acquired an accolade of achievements, working for small production companies in the media, and larger national corporations including the BBC.
Along side this, the passion for his art has continued to develop and prosper as over the years,working with a range of high profile international professionals, James has gleaned his experiences and continued to develop as both a musician and musical producer.

Experience - The Early Years:
James began his music career at the tender age of 4 years old with an important grounding in classical piano studies and demonstrating a keen and intuitive skill for the keyboard, using a mature and innovative way of learning which included the use of visualisation.
James ambitions grew alongside his skills. He joined forces with his identical triplet brothers to form the band: The Colah's, aged only 12 years old.
The young talent was instantly appreciated by music moguls as The Colah's were performing on a regular basis for charity and local gigs.
This experience provided James an ideal outlet for his musicality and nurtured his innate talent in the music field.
Success was sure to follow, by the age of 17, The Colah's, with a track record of consistently impeccable and highly rated gigs, with a firm fan base, began their very first tour in Europe while still at school, but having time off allowed by their very understanding headmaster!
Following on from this, The Colah's wrote and produced the Rock Ballet 'Fire Sermon' which was subsequently performed by, 'The Ballet Rambert Dance Company', with excerpts being filmed at the highly prestigious Thames Television Studios, a firm recognition then of the success of this production.
Upon leaving school, James and his identical triplet brothers turned professional and reached the semi finals of the 'Young Jazz Musicians Of The Year' competition, along with an accolade of other competitions which included: 'The Vitavox Live Sound Award' and 'EMI Talent Search'.
James then decided to take a year out of working with his brothers and joined the massively successful group, 'The Foundations'. He toured with them continually for 1 year throughout Europe and the UK. This was invaluable experience for a young man still in his teens!

The Twenties - Professional Recognition:
The rise to fame would have been difficult to ignore, and so it was the smash hit group: The Colah's were signed up by CBS/SONY Records, with a 2 year contract.
The band released the record 'Hesitation' which entered the UK top 100 charts.
With the band becoming increasingly interested in the production side of music, they co-wrote the hit single 'It's not Fair' with soul legend Edwin Starr.
Shortly after, The Colah's decided to split up, and it was here that James came into his own, utilising his early stardom, his innate talent and the experience gained to date that he decided to set out as a freelance session musician. This resulted in inevitable success, with a constant stream of gigs and recording sessions flooding in.
As if success, breeds success, more was to come.
James spent 6 months working with Chrysalis Recording Artistes: 'The Adventures' and toured the USA and Canada supporting the internationally acclaimed band: 'Tears for Fears'.
James continued to work, concentrating and developing his already wide repertoire of skills and experience by working with progressive rock band: 'Pendragon', with a UK national tour.
This was followed up by a further 6 months with Virgin Recording Artistes: 'Frazier Chorus' where he completed two UK ours!

The Thirties:
The time was right to start up his own recording studio and production company, where he composed, performed and produced various types of music.
He formed the group 'Elevation' with Peter Corkhill and Jackie Parrara. This was followed on by the release of the single: 'It's not love you need' through the Catatonic Record Label.
The rise to fame was further perpetuated by James co-writing/arranging and performing the title theme music for the BBC's, 'Terry Wogan's Friday Night Show' and was featured in the prestigious, 'Keyboard Player' magazine.

Since this time James has done a large number of residency gigs which include: 'Empire Ballroom' Leicester Square, 'Club Deluxe' Dean Street, 'Toppers Hostess Club' Soho, 'Il Carretto Italian Restaurant' Streatham.

Since starting up his own studio, James has co-written, arranged, performed, produced and recorded songs for over 300 Artistes!
This has included a significant number of professional liaisons, including: writing and arranging, performing and producing songs for 'Touchwood' (Chrysalis) recording Artiste - Kay Samuels. Singles released on 'Seal Records' and songs for 'Dee Majek' released on 'PWT Records'.
Further to this sessions have been completed for top producers including, Gus Dudgeon, who produced 'Elton John', and Nicky Graham, who produced, 'Bros' and 'The Colah's'.
Recordings have also been done with David and Carrie Grant of 'Fame Academy'.
He was the 'Musical Director' of the top covers band, 'Station to Station' performing throughout the UK!

Expertise has been developed in creating and maintaining a vast library of compositions suitable for theme tunes, jingles, and film/incidental music, with specialisms in Soul/Pop/Dance music.

Videos worked on include: 'The Colah's' for CBS/SONY Records, Sheena Easton, Haysi Fantaysi, The Rona Cameron Show, for BBC2 and 'The Which' consumer magazine advert, for Channel 5 and Sky.

The Colah Triplets have done many photo shoots, including: 'Handspring Treo' mobile phones.

The life of 'The Colah Triplets' will be acknowledged in a feature article in 'The Daily Mail' newspaper!


Finally, James is now in a position to be open to any serious fee based professional projects - but no time wasters please!


My Influences:
Influences include Old Skool Soul artistes including: Barry White, Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, Anita Baker.
Other influences also arise from the genres of Jazz/Rock/Funk, these include: Mahavishnu Orchestra, Weather Report, Tower of Power, Jeff Lorber, Chick Corea.
These distinctive artistes and genres certainly provide influence and inspiration.

Sounds Like:
Music is very transitional and is very difficult to place in one subset.
It would be fair to suggest that with the above influences of Old Skool Soul, Jazz/Rock/Funk, the music is influenced by sensory and cognitive perceptions.
To clarify, the style could vary from up-tempo to more melodic sounds, and is as diverse and varied in tone as feelings and experiences are varied!

Websites: http://www.myspace.com/jamescolahmusic


Record Label: (Ex) SONY RECORDS
Label Type: MAJOR


Contact: jammy.c@hotmail.co.uk

Tags:   keyboard  player  producer  arranger  composer  soul 

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