Recognised as one of the top guitarists in Canada , James Bryan is also a hit making songwriter and producer . With over a dozen top 20 hits, awards, and numerous gold and platinum credits, James has worked with the who’s-who of the Canadian music community including : Nelly Furtado(Interscope/Universal), Fefe Dobson(Island/DefJam), and Divine Brown (Warner Canada , Universal Canada) and is widely known as a member of multi platinum bands The Philosopher Kings(Sonybmg) and Prozzak(Umi/Universal) .
James has been touring the world ‘s stages extensively from the age of 18, first as lead guitarist in The Philosopher Kings , and more recently as Nelly Furtado’s guitarist since 2007 . James had already played lead guitar on Nelly’s multi platinum debut album Woah Nelly ( including a signature solo on “Turn off the lights “) and on her followup “Folklore” in 2002. But since joining Nelly’s band , James has played many of the world’s premiere venues .Highlights include : performing at London’s Wembley Stadium for the historic “Concert for Diana” , playing in Paris at the base of the Eifel Tower for over one million people on Bastille Day , as well as tv performances on The Tonight Show , and Late Night with Conan O’Brien. Over his live career , James has been honoured to share the stage with legendary International artists such as Sir Elton John , Rod Stewart, Al Green , Kool and the Gang , Seal , and Alicia Keys.
This led James to further collaborate with Nelly , from 2008 to the spring of 2009 , on her upcoming Latin album , Mi Plan , as a songwriter and producer . Their chemistry produced 5 tracks for the album , including the title track and first singles "Manos al Aire " , released in July , which quickly became a hit . It reached number one on the US Latin charts , Germany , Italy , Colombia , and central America .
As a member of the Philosopher Kings , James had a hand in many top ten singles and his guitar skills and onstage persona helped make them one of Canada's best loved live acts of the 90's . But it wasn't until the release of his hit animated project Prozzak in 1998 , that James' songwriting and production skills came to the forefront . The album went 5 times platinum and spawned 2 number one singles .
This success led to other top 10 collaborations with artists from : Fefe Dobson(Island/DefJam) in 2003 , who's debut went gold in the US and platinum in Canada , to Divine Brown , for whom James co-wrote and produced the number one radio hit , "Old School Love " in 2005 .
In 2005, James decided to step out as a solo artist, with the critically acclaimed release of “Beautiful World” (Blacksmith/Universal). The album highlights James’ incredible guitar work, in the tradition of Santana and George Benson , as well as his distinct production skills . He had the honour of openng for the legendary Tower of Power across Canada in 2005.
The same year,James launched his own label , UMI Entertainment. , with the release of Prozzak’s Cruel Cruel World . 2007 saw the release of Sunshine State’s debut album , a beautiful twist on jazzy soulful acoustic pop , featuring James ‘ innovative acoustic guitar playing and production .
In 2008 , the album was released in Japan on Dreamusic where single , Day Job , , was 1 on many radio stations . The album was also released in korea and Taiwan later that year , where it also hit 1 on radio .
Also in 2008 , James established a productive creative relationship with top UK writer/producers Martin Terefe (KT Tunnstal , Jason Mraz ) and Sacha Skarbek(James Blunt , Adele) . Working out of their studio in west London , Kensaltown , James continues to solidify his presence in the UK , working with
many upcoming Uk acts , including Charlotte O'Conner (Columbia ) and Katie Vogel .
Wherever you hear him, it is the unmistakable sound of his guitar that is the heart and soul of this multitalented artist.
SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY
2009 - Nelly Furtado - Mi Plan (Universal Latino/Nelstar)
Producer/writer/guitarist
5 songs including hit first single "Manos al aire "
2008 – Divine Brown –The Love Chronicles (Warner)
Producer/songwriter/guitarist of Single “Lay it on the Line , which reached 1 on Canadian AC radio
2007 Sunshine State (UMI Entertainment)
Artist/producer/songwriter
Single “Dayjob” reaches 1 in Japan and Taiwan on radio
2006- Philosopher Kings - Castles (Sony/BMG)
*co-producer, co-writer and performer
-single “Castles” reaches 3 on Canadian radio
2006- Susan Cagle – The Subway Sessions (Columbia US)
co-writer
2005- James Bryan –Beautiful World (Blacksmith /Universal)
* Artist/producer/songwriter
2005- Prozzäk'- Cruel, Cruel World (Maple Music Recordings/ UMI Entertainment)
* Artist /co-producer/songwriter
2005- Divine Brown- (Blacksmith / Universal)
Producer/songwriter/guitarist of Single”Old school love” , which reached 1 on Canadian radio
2003- Worldwide release: Nelly Furtado-“Folklore” (Interscope / Universal)
*Musician
2003 - Worldwide release: Fefe Dobson (Island Def Jam /Universal)
Co-producer/songwriter/musician
Single “Everything “ reached 1 on MTV’s TRL and Muchmusic
2002 – US release of Kaci (Curb records)
Co-producer/songwriter/guitarist
Single “I think I love you “ reached top 10 on UK radio
2000 - Worldwide release of Nelly Furtado's multi-platinum selling album Whoa Nelly! (Dreamworks / Universal)
*Performed on four songs, including top ten radio hit "Turn Off The Lights" featuring one of James' signature guitar solos
2000 –B 4-4 (Sony Canada)
co-producer/writer,musician of 1 Canadian radio hit “Get Down”
2000 - Release of Prozzäk's Gold selling album Saturday People (Sony)
* co-creator, co-producer, writer and musician
1998 - Release of Prozzäk's multi-Platinum selling album Hotshow (Epic /sony)
*co-creator, co-producer, writer, musician
-single “Sucks to be you” reached 1 on Canadian CHR radio and Muchmusic , 2 on MTV 2 in US
1998 - Performed on Maestro’s 1 radio hit "Stick to your vision"
1998 - Release of Philosopher Kings’ album One Night Stand ( Columbia /Sony)
* co-producer, co-writer and performer
1996- Release of Philosopher Kings’ Platinum selling album “Famous, Rich and Beautiful” ( Columbia /Sony)
co-producer, co-writer and performer
single “Hurts to love you “ reached 1 on Canadian radio
1994- Release of Philosopher Kings’ Gold selling self-titled album ( Columbia /Sony)
*co-producer, co-writer and performer
Live Tours Credits:
2007-Nelly Furtado (Interscope/Universal) *Guitarist on her “Get Loose” World Tour.
2006 Sunshine State – Cross Canada tour in support of the Philosopher Kings
2006 - Philosopher Kings(Sonybmg) -Cross Canada theater tour in support of “Castles’ * James Bryan & Sunshine State also opened up on the tour.
2005 – James Bryan(Blacksmith/Universal) , cross Canada theater tour opening for Tower of Power
1999 – Headlined Massey Hall, Toronto
1999 - Prozzäk sold-out National arena tour
1997 – Opened for Al Green at Roy Thompson Hall, Toronto
1997 – Headlined across Canada - DuMaurier Jazz Festival
1996 – Canadian tour in support of Joe Cocker
1995-1996 – 3 US tours, headlining & opening
* Opened for such acts as: Kool and the Gang, The Fugees, The Isley Brothers and Maxwell
1995 – Headlined club tour in Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto) , including Blue Note Café , and Club Quattro
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