At a young age, James Clarke is beginning to garner the attention of the Edmonton jazz community. James is a talented young pianist who is in the process of receiving his Music Performance Diploma from Grant MacEwan University, funded through a generous scholarship from Rawlco Radio.

Even though he is just finishing his second year of college, he is already beginning to establish himself as a promising talent. Under the teaching of CBC Galaxie Rising Star, Chris Andrew, he has already performed with veteran Edmonton musicians such as  Dave Babcock, Anna Beaumont, and Sheril Hart. Most recently entering the studio with Juno-nominee Sandro Dominelli, and veteran bassist John Taylor, James has completed and all-original EP, and has his first album in the initial stages. He is also in the recording studio with WCMA-winner Krystle Dos Santos for her next album.

Born and raised in Sherwood Park, James began his musical studies at age 4, taking his first classical piano lessons through a family friend. He continues his classical studies today with Shelagh Scott, but jazz has become his main focus. James has also studied under Dr. William Richards and Torben Holm-Pederson at Grant MacEwan recently.

At age 18, James is making a name for himself as a brilliant young talent in both classical and jazz. As a classical musician, he was awarded the Rose Bowl scholarship in the 2008 Sherwood Park Music Festival - a prize given to the top performer of the festival. James has a particularly strong interest in jazz. He plays in numerous jazz ensembles around the Edmonton area, and regularly performs at the Haven and  Yardbird jam sessions. James is also an artist of U22, an organization which promotes outstanding young talent, with which he will be featured in an upcoming CBC television documentary. 2009 marked his first performance in the Edmonton International Jazz Festival. James channels energy and passion into his music, whatever the style.

"When I heard Oscar Peterson's playing for the first time, I knew that I wanted to be a jazz musician. Music has become my world, and I can't see myself doing anything else."