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James Stewart
Singer, songwriter, producer and musical entrepreneur. Asked to describe himself, James Stewart offers simply: "musician". Could he elaborate? He suggests "Couldn't I just hum it instead?"
James is South African. Cape Town-born. He cut his teeth in classical music with the usual childhood distaste and 'messed around with break-dancing and synthesizers in his early teens. The late 90's however would see him form his own band, abandon a law career and take a leap into the great unknown.
As singer/ songwriter for The Usual, he achieved fame with enduring classics like 'the shape that I'm in' and 'like a vision, securing the band a special place in the hearts and homes of music lovers throughout South Africa. James and the Usual were rewarded with 2 national number 1's, two national number 2's, two South African Music Awards and a string of top tens.
Recording progressively at Street Level — the recording studio and label operation he co-owns with industry veteran Richard Black — bringing in the cream of Cape Town musicians and a few surprise musical collaborators — James has woven a shimmering debut solo album that is a testament to his immense talents. A man like me was released to critical acclaim in early 2005 and has achieved top ten status across Regional Radio, after which Shine was licensed by Southern Sun for their ongoing television campaign for their 4 & 5 star premier hotels.
He has also completed a video of Shine, which was directed and shot by reknowned photographer and ex Calvin Klein glossy girl Josie Borain.
He is also a busy commercial producer and writer, and the creative brain behind the development of Street Level as an independent music leader. The Street Level Music Production team have one international and local advertising awards.
His musical exploits have taken him to the UK, USA, Thailand and Australia where he has been collaborating and networking with key writers, producers and industry leaders.
James has also recently been invited by Yoko Ono to perform John Lennon's classic Imagine as the soundtrack to the upcoming Amnesty International television and film commercial. The song will be a featured download on the Artists for Amnesty site to raise awareness and will also be included on a compilation album featuring other artists such as the Black eyed Peas, Maroon 5, Snow Patrol and the Cure.
He has recently returned from New York were he showcased his talent at the prestigious 'Living Room' and 'Cutting Room' resulting in a publishing deal.
His recent performances at 606 club in London have been a sell out success, where he will return shortly en route to New York to lock down a very exciting deal with a seminal adult-contemporary / Jazz label.
He has collaborated on a new song with Grammy award winning songstress Julie Gold who wrote "From a distance" together with 11 Emmy Award Winner A J Gundell. He is also enjoying a wonderful creative relationship with Curtis Aaron Richardson, who has written hits for J Lo & Joss Stone amongst others.
