James Colah is now available to hire for your projects!
If you're interested in James production services, which can include co-writing/arranging/performing/producing and recording, please email him at jammy.c@hotmail.co.uk
All the music on this website was composed, performed, produced, and recorded by James Colah in his studio!
'OCEAN TIDE' CAN NOW BE DOWNLOADED BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW!
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 and 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 school Soul, Jazz/Rock and 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.
James Colah is high end producer who has worked with many famous names and can make great tracks to a professional standard from as small a start as a hummed melody line. He is eager to work with all the new and exciting talent on MySpace and beyond who want to have their ideas fully and professionally realised.
James Colah is an experienced, professional Keyboard player/producer/arranger/composer with a credible and impressive history of achievement in the music industry.
James has worked for small production companies in the media, and larger national corporations including the BBC. Along side this he worked with a range of high profile international professionals including: Edwin Starr, Ballet Rambert Dance Company, Virgin Recording, Sheena Easton, Haysi Fantaysi, Pendragon and EMI
James has continued to develop as both a musician and musical producer.
Experience
The Early Years:
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. By the age of 17, the Colah’s, with a track record of consistently impeccable and highly rated gigs and a firm fan base, began their 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 for Thames Television Studios.
Upon leaving school, James and his identical triplet brothers turned professional and reached the semi finals of the Young Jazz Musicians of the Year, along with an accolade of other competitions which included: Vitavox Live Sound Award and EMI. James then decided to take a year out of working with his brothers and joined the classic soul group, 'The Foundations'. Touring throughout Europe and UK.
Next the Colah’s were signed up by SONY records with a two 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 Edwin Starr.
After the Colah’s disbanded, James came into his own, utilising his experience he decided to set out as a freelance session musician. This resulted in a constant stream of gigs and recording sessions flooding in.
James spent 6 months working with Chrysalis Recording Artistes: ‘The Adventures’ and toured the USA and Canada supporting internationally acclaimed band: ‘Tears for Fears’. He then joined the progressive rock band: ‘Pendragon’ for a UK national tour. This was followed up by a further 6 months work with Virgin Recording Artistes ‘Frazier Chorus’ where he completed two UK tours.
The time was right to start up his own recording studio. where he composed, programmed and produced songwriters and musicians from beginners to successful artists. He is known particularly for his arrangement and composition skills and building songwriters tracks up from just a melody line. He produces to a professional standard and many of his productions have been professionally released. He also published some of his studio work through his contract with Zomba. His philosophy for his collaborators is ‘ As long as you have a tune you can hum, I can make something great happen!”
James co-wrote and performed the title music for the BBC's, 'Terry Wogan's Friday Night Show' and was featured in the prestigious, 'Keyboard Player' magazine.
Since starting up his own studio, James has co-written, arranged, performed, produced and recorded songs for over 300 Artists. This has included a significant number of professional liaisons, including: writing, arranging, producing and performing songs for Touchwood (Chrysalis) recording artist - Kay Samuels. Singles released on Seal Records and songs with 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
Over the years he has developed a vast library of compositions suitable for theme tunes, jingles and film/incidental music, specialising in soul/pop/dance music.
James has also done a large number of residency gigs which include: Empire Ballroom Leicester Square, Club de Luxe Dean Street, Toppers Hostess Club Soho, II Carretto Restaurant Streatham.
He was the Musical Director of the band, 'Station to Station' performing throughout the UK.
Videos, TV and Media:
'The Colah's' for Sony records. Sheena Easton, Haysi Fantaysi, The Rhona Cameron show, for BBC 2 The Consumer Magazine Advert, for Sky and Channel 5.
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!
Having recently revamped his production suite and honed his skills to knife-edge perfection, James is now available and hungry to work with more talented and creative artists. It only takes one message here to get the ball rolling and you could be weeks away from your best recording so far!
I'm excited to announce the release of my Enchanted Garden CD a guided meditation with music by Joanne and Leah Shenandoah! It makes a great Holiday Gift!
Hi James, Just listened to Ocean Tide, Very nice James, I'm off sick at the momment, (just a bug) Hope you are well, its been a while since we talked, looks like your projects are going well, Stay well, Stay Blessed, Speak soon, Terance. Fat Tee
Just downloaded my mp3 of Ocean Tide. Yes it really is superb. Your keyboard playing is expressive, slick and right on the money!!!. Michael's sax playing is smooth, warm and colourful. Overall a great meaty full production and who is playing that guitar? Overall It reminds me of that feelgood vibe you get with the likes of Al Jareau Sadao Watenabi and George Benson. Looking forward to more... Very well done...
Hi James, thank you for the add and compliment! I am honored to consider you as a friend. And thank you for the great music that you are doing is very positive and sweeten me all day! Ivana
Hi James, greetings from Kent! Many thanks for the friendship, comment, and great music! I really enjoyed the songs on your page :) Thank you for taking the time to listen to my tunes, and glad you liked them too :)
Hi James, How are you, hope you are well, its been a little while since i passed through, I've been writing some new songs, they are coming on really well, all a bit different, ones finished and another three are almost there, one is very current, i think its a cracker, as usual the composition is holding me up but i'm hoping to get some help with that, oh I've also taken up guitar, its something i've been wanting to do for a while (they say its never too late to learn) I hope they are right !! anyway I wish you luck in all that you are doing and wish you all the best for the future. Stay Blessed James. Terance Fat Tee
hey, just stopping by to say hi - hope you're doing well. I've got a new video up on my page at the moment, as well as my new single, The Waiting. If you get a minute, I'd love to know what you think. Just spreading some love your way - Thanks and catch you soon! Kevin
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