James Sandon born in Perth, Western Australia,
started playing the alto saxophone at the age of six, switched
to the tenor saxophone at thirteen, and since then has been
playing professionally in a variety of genres, that include
cabaret, rock, pop, blues, soul, R&B, latin, and jazz.
James attended the West Australian Academy of Performing
Arts, at Edith Cowan University, and received an Associate
Diploma of Performing Arts in Jazz and Contemporary Music
(1995), and a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance (1998).
While attending the academy, James was a member of the West
Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) from 1992 – 1998,
and in 1995, received the WAYJO scholarship which took him
to the USA to attend and participate in the International
Association of Jazz Educators Conference, held in Atlanta,
Georgia in 1996. James received the Bob Wylie Jazz scholarship
for Graduating students in 1995.
Recording three live to air broadcasts for the ABC with the
Graeme Lyall Quintet, the “Three Tenors”- James
Sandon, Jamie Oehlers, and Carl Mackey, in 1997, and in 1999
performing original music in the James Sandon Quartet.
In 2000 James went to New York to experience the music scene,
giving him the opportunity to play and record with some of
the world’s finest musicians.
Appeared on a number of CDs that include
Forgotten Melody - Wayne Jones 2006 Melbourne
Crazy Way of Lovin' - Nina Ferro 2004 Melbourne
Soul Call - Nnenna Freelon, 2000 New York (album was nominated
for a Grammy)
Bluezone - Fred Grigson 1997 Perth,
Played with international and national artists, Chris Potter,
Ernie Watts, Frank Foster, Billy Harper, Sam Yahel, Gil Askey,
James Morrison, Barney Mcall, Graeme Lyall, Dr. Tony Gould,
Diesel, Renee Geyer, Ross Wilson, and Christine Anu. Also
making several television appearances on Good Morning Australia.
Has performed in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta,
Hawaii, Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, New Zealand,
and all major capital cities of Australia.
Now based in Melbourne, James is a sought after session musician
and performs regularly as a saxophonist and percussionist
in a variety of bands locally and nationally. |
