James began playing classical guitar at age 7. He attended the Queensland Conservatorium of Music studying classical guitar, and graduated in 1992; he is now based in Melbourne, Australia. James was the winner of the Ike Isaacs International Jazz Guitar Award. As a bandleader James has released six albums, and appeared on many recordings for other artists. For information about a selection of these releases, please visit the ‘Albums’ page.
James has an ongoing duo project with vocalist Kristin Berardi, the duo have toured extensively throughout Australia as well as Indonesia, South America, Japan, North America and Europe, which culminated in a performance on the Stravinski stage at the Montreux festival opening for George Benson and Al Jarreau. James also accompanied Kristin when she was awarded the 2007 Freedman Fellowship at the Sydney Opera House, and their second CD “If You Were There” won the Bell award for best jazz vocal release in 2010.
He works with a variety of Australia’s finest musicians as well as many visiting artists including New Orleans trumpeter Leroy Jones, New York jazz vocalists Sheila Jordan, Chris McNulty and Cyrille Aimee and master drummers Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts and Jon Riley. James has also performed/recorded with such diverse artists as British guitar virtuoso Martin Taylor, The Australian Chamber Orchestra, The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, The Queensland Orchestra, Katie Noonan, Megan Washington, Joe Camilleri & New York film composer Howard Shore. The James Sherlock Trio was featured in the ABC TV Jazz Series “The Pulse”.
“Sherlock is a wonderful guitarist, and a craftsman of songs possessing beauty and depth. Solo should make a few Top 10s of the year and help propel Sherlock onto the bigger stage he surely deserves. Definitely a name to watch out for.”
Ian Patterson, All About Jazz.
“This could be exhibit A in the case that some of the world’s most exciting jazz is being made in Australia.”
John Shand – Sydney Morning Herald (“Watermark” review)
James teaches at The Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne University, Monash University and The Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School.