Taylor James

Taylor James Bio

Since moving to Vancouver from her native homeland North Bay, Ontario in 1990, Taylor has achieved widespread recognition. She first began performing in the country music scene, sharing concert stages with Blue Rodeo, Prairie Oyster, Ian Tyson, Ronnie Hawkins, Lisa Brokop and Patricia Conroy while touring extensively throughout Western Canada. She was also invited to participate in a European tour to the Netherlands opening for Dutch recording artist, Rudd Hermans.
In 1994, Taylor moved into rock, blues and alternative folk, which lead her to her first live recording, “Voices” with rock bassist Scott Brown (Paul Laine, Trooper). She spent the next 10 years honing her craft and acquiring loyal audiences from her many live performances. She has toured in the US, Germany and Ireland sharing the stage with such diversified acts as, Jeff Healy, Colin James, Jim Byrnes, Jerry Doucette, Paul Hyde (Payolas), Chilliwack, Hubert Sumlin and Ten Years After to name a few.
During this period she began to develop confidence and skill in her songwriting efforts. She was awarded the coveted “Independent Artist Recording Loan” from FACTOR after a panel of experts reviewed a two-song demo of original material, allowing her to record her first studio release of original pop-rock songs titled, “Can I Try You On”. Fuelled by a growing local buzz she recorded “Taylor James, Live At The Yale,” an outstanding live collection featuring her rockin’ blues band at their finest. With Taylor’s undeniable ability to command her stage in any setting, it was a natural progression from the blues to her latest solo acoustic/roots release of live-off-the-floor recordings titled, “Pardon My Heart,” inspired and dedicated to her loyal fans. With four distinctive albums to her credit, she has a new studio production in the works featuring her outstanding skills on electric guitar.

Taylor is also known for her local support hosting and organizing high-profile showcases for bands and singer-songwriters, as well as fundraisers for local charities. She has graced the stage at many concerts, festivals and special events not only as a performer but also as emcee, charming the crowd with her knack for humorous banter as well as her musical talent.
Drawing from such influences as Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, James Taylor and Joni Mitchell she has an undeniable power over her listeners, continuing to attract new fans with an energy that is contagious.
Today, Taylor continues to write songs and is gaining respect and attention for her solo acoustic performances. You can also catch Taylor fronting her four to seven-piece rockin’ band, “The Taylor James Band” a hothouse of some of Vancouver’s’ finest musicians.
Whether she’s gliding down the guitar neck with a slide solo, commanding the stage front and center with a microphone in her hand or delivering an intimate acoustic composition, she’s giving you all she’s got and has something very special to say.