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.

 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!

NEWS UPDATE :- James' new single ' Touched By The Light 'is now available.

BUY IT :- from iTunes | Listen To Samples at the James Colah EPK


Reviews : Better Days

The James Colah Project - Better Days by Wes Gillespie, Editor, JazzNet247.com

And just when the cold and rain were making you look forward to ' Better Days ' ! ...... along they came in the musical form of the new single by London keyboardist and producer James Colah.

This driving track is a menu of delights from start to finish and offers a diversification to the plethora of sax tracks which seem all too prevalent in the smooth jazz charts at the moment. James has teamed up with the accomplished guitarist Ant Law to offer a fresh mid tempo summer groove which has all the traits and trimmings of Lee Ritenour meets Jeff Lorber. The musicianship is superb and James' arrangement with those driving horns add interest and a musical spectrum which is lacking in much of today's Smooth Jazz recordings.

The ingredients of a ' standout track ' in my opinion are a memorable hook that will be remembered after just one listen and a differentiation of composition that will retain interest to the listener throughout the entire track, ' Better Days ' has both in abundance and is like a musical storyboard from your favourite Disney Movie.

' Better Days ' is the first release from James Colah under his new guise ' The James Colah Project ' and is a worthy progression to the highly acclaimed singles ' Blissful ' and ' Ocean Tide ' taken from a collaboration with Mike Partlett and the ' The Partlett-Colah Project ' from 2009.

' Better Days' is also is featured on the starting grid of a new Smooth Jazz CD compilation called ' Jazz Infusion ' from ' ussmothjazz.com ' and this classy track starts the mood for a feast of delights which is sure to be playing on your MP3 and CD Players all summer long and way beyond.

' Better Days ' is available now from iTunes or through James' own Electronic Press Kit at www.JazzNet247.com/JamesColah The CD ' Jazz Infusion ' is being released on May 23rd 2010.



James Colah - ' Blissful ',' Ocean Tide ' and ' Better Days ' by Ronald Jackson

I don’t normally review singles, preferring a full CD project, but I found exception in three super smooth and funky singles that you can scoop up on I-Tunes by multi-instrumentalist James Colah. One single called “Ocean Tide” (actually found under The Parlett-Colah Project) glides along with a kind of bop-and-stroll feel that is both joyful, funky, and, yes, even sexy in its own way.

It has a marvelous hook that stays with you. Another by the artist, “Better Days,” (performing as The James Colah Project) has that mellow mid-tempo drive with really cool guitar chops, courtesy of one Ant Law, rather reminding one of a Norman Brown or Nick Colionne groove. Bright horns, funky piano, excellent phrasing, and smart chords certainly mark this one as a keeper.

The third single, “Blissful,” (also performed by The Parlett-Colah Project) is loaded with soulful funk and attitude. Highlighted by colorful sax work by Mike Parlett, it had no problem capturing my attention.

For those unfamiliar with Colah, he hails from and still lives in London, England. He’s an accomplished keyboard player, producer, arranger, composer and session man. In a three decade career to date, he has worked as a musical director or session man with a range of high profile international artists which include : Edwin Starr, Ballet Rambert Dance Company, Virgin Records, Sheena Easton, Haysi Fantaysi, Pendragon and EMI. He now steps forward with these singles, and I certainly hope and look forward to a full CD project from him. His talent and insight are clearly evident.

More information on Colah can be found at www.jazznet247.com/jamescolah

Posted by Ronald Jackson - Smooth Jazz Vibes for Smooth Jazz Gateway