Roger James

Artist Information

Biography

Contact Email - fun@rogerjames.com
FAQ-
Q- What do you play?
A- Celtic , Bluegrass, Blues, Folk, Humorous songs, Social Satire, Original, Political Sati....
Q- No, I meant what instruments do you play.
A- Oh,Guitar, Banjo, Bodhran (Irish Drum), Piano.
Q- What do you mean "Comedy and Music"?
A- OK, I'm playing a song, If you're laughing it's comedy, if you're not, it's music.
Q- How long have you been playing?
A- I started with Violin in grade 3, switched to Guitar in grade 6, played in High School Rock bands and a Jazz trio. 1969- Played Detroit Coffehouse circuit, Blues, Folk and Comedy, joined Irish band Tinkers Dam in '72, formed Cobblers Awl with David Craig in 1974 went Solo again in '78 settling in Kingston, Ontario.
Q- Have you ever had a real job?
A- No
Q- What is the major export of the Brazil?
A- Tin
Q- Where have you played?
A- U.S., Canada, Ireland, England. Clubs, Festivals (e.g. Blue Skies, Summerfolk, Mariposa) TV, Theatre, Radio, Records, Boats, Busses, Backalleys. Over 5000 appearances in 86 cities and on one big river.
Q- What is the fastest land animal?
A- I don't know.
Q- What is the Secret of Life?
A- Keep breathing.
Roger James describes his show - "O.K., I'm playing a song, if you're laughing it's comedy. If you're not, it's music".
An evening with Roger features social satire, humorous original songs, and inventive tributes to songwriters such as: Shel Silverstein, Groucho Marx, Allan Sherman and Tom Lehrer.
A terrific banjo and guitar player, Roger also plays Bodhran (Irish drum). Combine this with musical styles as diverse as Bluegrass, Celtic, English, 50's& 60s, Blues,and Folk and and you have a entertaining collision of humour and musical skill.
Roger performs at festivals, events, conferences, on riverboats and in concert. You can also find him sharing a stage with Wendell Ferguson, comedy songwriter and award-winning guitarist, and Nancy White, comic singer-songwriter of CBC Sunday Morning fame. "Roger is possibly the most hilarious man on earth", says Nancy.
Roger has performed in Canada, USA, Ireland, and England. He's given more than 5000 performances in 81 cities. Film historians, please note, Roger appeared onscreen as a fishmonger / street musician in the 1999 HBO movie "Vendetta". His role lasted 52 seconds.
At festivals, Roger takes on the roles of: Stage performer, MC, Workshop Host, using: guitar, frailing banjo, bodhran, tasteful humour, music, humorous music, he pumps the gas, runs the general store and he�s the Sheriff.
"Roger is wonderful to work with, always professional, a great crowd pleaser."
Sandra Jass, Chair and Organizer,
City of Kingston First Night
Roger is a family oriented musical comedian owing to his firm, if redundant, belief that �Without children there would be no people�
in fact after a recent performance for a Queens University Theological College conference ( which some comedians would consider a challenging audience) an attendee was quoted:
"I'm going to nominate him for our next Moderator"
Rev. Allan Reeve, Bobcaygeon, ON
occasionally Roger�s bios will include quotes that contain no useful information whatsoever.
"Could just as easily have been a doctor, but no...." Roger's Mother

Instrumentation

Roger James- Solo musical comedian. Brings lively, tasteful humour and Guitar, Banjo, Bodhran (Irish Drum) to events, fairs festivals, and conferences

Discography

With Tinkers Dam-
Do Ye Good and Help Ye Too Kevin Records
With Cobblers Awl-
Awl in Good Time Highbutton Records
Cobblers Awl Sandcastle Records
Solo-
Compulsory Fun Endorphin Releases
Row Faster The Captain Wants To Water Ski
REEL Endorphin Releases
With Nancy White and Wendell Ferguson-
Songs From Songs With Punchlines Endorphin
Compilation and Guest appearances-
Blue Skies 25th anniversary DVD
Mariposa 2002
One Voice a tribute to Norm Hacking Festival
An Gorta Mor The Great Irish Famine Rankin
Nightsun - Home Joe Radio
Nightsun - Drive
Hemoloxsoup - Souvenir
The Mahones - The Hellfire Club Sessions
Oskar Graf Guitars 25th Anniversary Collection
With Kyra and Tully-
Artists for The Algonquin
Skeleton Park Music Festival CD 2008

Official Website

http://www.RogerJames.com

Audio

• Ancient Scottish Banjo tunes
  Listen   Download
• Wooly Bully Lessons (Live)
  Listen   Download
• Big Strong Man
  Listen   Download

Video

Roger James - Tasteful Comedy and Music

Photo Gallery

Press

• Danforth Music Hall Review [+ Show ]
  

  "Roger James talked fast, moved rapidly...the crowd stormed him back for an encore..." Wilder Penf..."Roger James talked fast, moved rapidly...the crowd stormed him back for an encore..."
  Wilder Penfield III,
  The Toronto Sun

• Napanee District Community Foundation concert review [+ Show ]
  

  “He came, he conquered, he made us laugh...Roger James' instrumental talents are nothing shorr of am...“He came, he conquered, he made us laugh...Roger James' instrumental talents are nothing shorr of amazing.”
  Sam Anderson, Napanee District Community Foundation 2005

• Avonmore Fair review [+ Show ]
  

  With dazzling agility and an unprecedented enthusiasm for dashing wherever inspiration beckons, Roge...With dazzling agility and an unprecedented enthusiasm for dashing wherever inspiration beckons, Roger James mixes a staggering array of musical styles with an astonishing repertoire, resulting in a hilarious yet intelligent entertainment roller coaster ride. We couldn't have made a more fortuitous addition to the entertainment package at this year's Avonmore Fair. When the band that was to perform at this year's dance phoned to say they'd be unavoidably delayed, Roger agreed to extend his contracted performance time to help us calm the restless crowd. By the time he was done his on stage time had spanned 6 hours. As amazing as the endurance, was the fact he only repeated himself a couple of times, and that was by special request. Even as Roger James left the performance tent, fair board members were talking about having him back next year. Terry McRae,
  Entertainment Committee,
  Avonmore Fair Aug. 2000

• Excerpt from Whig Standard Review [+ Show ]
  

  "A gifted musician...hilarious ..." The Whig Standard King..."A gifted musician...hilarious ..."
  The Whig Standard
  Kingston Ontario

• Excerpt from 2005 Markham Theatre Programme [+ Show ]
  

  Roger James, a tremendous multi-instrumentalist, is a master of the hilarious medley and his scholar...Roger James, a tremendous multi-instrumentalist, is a master of the hilarious medley and his scholarly translations of incomprehensible rock and roll songs will bring you to tears. Drawing on styles as diverse as 50s and 60s rock and roll , blues folk and bluegrass, you have and entertaining collision of humour and musical skill.
  

• The Shaw Leadership Conference2004-2009, Queens U. [+ Show ]
  

  "Roger's zany humour and impressive musical talents helped our group to gel and made our educational..."Roger's zany humour and impressive musical talents helped our group to gel and made our educational experience more memorable and engaging... a highlight of the week and helped bring the group together."
  Paul Bowman,
  Continuing Education Officer
  Queen's Theological College 2005

• Dundas Theatre concert review [+ Show ]
  

  “...He commanded the audience to laugh hysterically at itself and the human condition...James easil...“...He commanded the audience to laugh hysterically at itself and the human condition...James easily made the theatre ring with laughter...”
  Jillian Morrison,
  Dundas Star Journal,
  Dundas ON
  (double bill with Jackie Washington)

• Theatre Kingston Review [+ Show ]
  

  “On Behalf of the Board of Directors of Theatre Kingston, I would like to thank your for your wonder...“On Behalf of the Board of Directors of Theatre Kingston, I would like to thank your for your wonderful performance at our Cabaret . The audience LOVED your act (as did I) and I can’t think of a more entertaining way to have opened our season.”
  Kathryn MacKay,
  General Manager
  Theatre Kingston Sept. 2000

• Excerpt Ottawa Citizen review [+ Show ]
  

  "...His banjo style, for one is unique, fast-fingered and fluid. But this is serious talk when the ..."...His banjo style, for one is unique, fast-fingered and fluid. But this is serious talk when the subject is someone who plays Inna-Gadda-Da-Vida on an Irish Bodhran Drum."
  Evelyn Erskine
  The Ottawa Citizen

Setlist

12 technicians with white coats and clipboards are currently working on this section

Basic Requirements

Calendar