James McVay Bio
James McVay is an award winning composer and songwriter who has spent the last 20 years in Los Angeles scoring movies and television shows . A guitarist and multi-instrumentalist since the age of 8, James has performed and recorded with some of the country’s top musicians including Stan Getz, Doane Perry (drummer for Jethro Tull), David Schwartz, Kate Wallace, Caren Armstrong, Sid Page, Eric Rigeler, Kate Markowitz and the list goes on.
He has written and conducted scores for more than 30 movies, hundreds of television shows and penned dozens of songs for movies and tv, along with numerous contemporary concert pieces including his “concertino” for guitar and orchestra called “The Industrial Day”.
James is also an independent record producer who has worked with many of L.A.’s best indie artists including Oscar nominee Kathleen “Bird” York.
James produced “Roots, Rock, and Revolution” a critically acclaimed CD by the eminent D.C. folk duo Emma’s Revolution whom Pete Seeger cited as the best new folk music out there today.
Currently he is working on a CD of stories with guitar accompaniment by the award winning Canadian actress Barbara Williams, and the 2nd CD of “Fame” star Valerie Landsburg, as well as the 2nd CD of his own music.
His first CD “Heroes On The Homefront” was called “a stellar collection of songs” by Dan Kimpel of Music Connection magazine . “Heroes… “ also won a place on CD Baby’s bestseller compilation CD and songs from the album have been featured on 2 other CDs; “Topanga:Music From The Mountains” and “Artists For Change”
As a teacher James began giving guitar lessons in High School and built up a student base of some 30 students per week at a local music store. James has recently returned to teaching and writing books on guitar. His 3rd and most current book is a revolutionary new approach to music called “The Right Brain Guitar Method”
James also does session work and performs locally as a solo artist, as a “sideman” on multiple instruments, and with his band Little Orchard.