James is the leader of award winning band ‘The Subterraneans’, 15 piece ‘Sonic Mayhem Orchestra’, James Ryan’s Shuffle City and more.

The Subterraneans debut album won the 2011 Australian Jazz ‘Bell’ award for Best Blend Album.

He has released 13 albums under his own name and with The Subterraneans and Sonic Mayhem Orchestra. He has toured extensively throughout Australia, India and Europe performing at national and International festivals.

At the age of 23 he was the first person to graduate from an Australian university with a Masters of Music majoring in jazz.

James has held teaching positions at The Australian National University, Queensland University of Technology and Griffith University.

He has performed with The Sydney Symphony Orchestra, George Benson and The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra amongst many, many other musicians and groups and is on 100’s on recording sessions for TV, film and recordings.

He is also the co director of recording label Rippa Recordings.