Phil James - Expert Drum Tutor
Phil has played the drums professionally for over 30 years and is now an established teacher in the Hertfordshire/Bedfordshire area.
Phil's playing credits include numerous record, TV and radio recordings as well as many touring and theatre dates. Artists he has worked with in the studio or on tour include Lulu, Shakin Stevens, The Beach Boys, David Soul, Tommy Steel, Roy Castle, Bruce Forsyth, Des O'Connor, The Two Ronnies and Bob Monkhouse. Other people he has worked with include Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. and Phil was the drummer of ‘Wall Street Crash’ for many years and eventually became their Musical Director, he has also played with Gloria Gaynor (“I will Survive”). Phil worked on many West End shows including 'Les Miserables', 'Starlight Express', 'Evita', 'Jesus Christ - Super Star', 'Me and My Girl' and 'Singing in the Rain' to name just a few. He was the resident drummer at 'The London Palladium' for many years.
Phil studied with the legendary Frank King and session giant Kenny Clare. He cites early influences as Brian Bennett (The Shadows), Buddy Rich, Kenny Clare, Ginger Baker, Ringo Star and Stevie Wonder and more recently, Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl, Omar Hakim and Dennis Chamber 
He played with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) for several years through the early 1970’s and was fortunate (or perhaps unfortunate) enough to be the only drummer to do a two drummer concert with the great Simon Phillips. This was a fantastic learning experience for Phil in that, he, at the tender age of 17, Simon played things Phil had never seen/heard/ or dreamt of, in the rock/funk idiom (and he just happened to be playing in 11/8 time).
Fortunately, Phil played things in the jazz/swing environment (triplets and big band phrasing) which, at that time Simon wasn’t too comfortable with, by his own admission. At the first break in rehearsal we naturally closed on each other and both voiced the question,” How the **** do you do that?” Bottom line is ‘We never stop learning’. About a year later Phil took over the drum chair in ‘Jesus Christ – Super Star’ from Simon Phillips. Many years later, Phil spoke on the phone with Steve Gadd (without doubt the man who has changed the face of modern drumming more than any other living person). And Steve freely admitted, if he heard something he thought he could use; take it! Always seek advice but never fail to give it when asked.
Phil is proud to carry forward the tradition within drumming that advice is always given freely. He is proud to continue that tradition and only asks that when you are asked for advice, you continue that tradition and pass on that knowledge, to the next generation. If you have a question - contact Phil James here.
Although as a private teacher (in any field) working from home, you are not required by law to have a Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure (CRB Disclosure), First Aid Certificate or any insurance cover. Phil has nevertheless gone through great lengths to secure this for your reassurance, all of which are available for examination at any time.
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