Jamie Akers

Critically acclaimed musician James Akers was hailed as ‘the great Scottish guitarist’ by Classical Guitar Magazine and, in a review from Gramophone, his playing was described as, ‘containing all the warmth, colour and expressive richness one could hope for.’ James has, throughout a varied career, explored music from a historical and stylistic perspective, combining diligent research with expressive performances to communicate the continuity of musical endeavour through the centuries.

James was born in Scotland and began playing guitar at the age of 10. He was largely self-taught before having lessons with Robert Mackillop at Napier University, Edinburgh. Whilst at Napier he turned his attentions to playing period instruments and pursued this as his principal study at the Royal College of Music, with Jakob Lindberg. James completed his studies at Trinity College of Music, studying with Jacob Heringman and David Miller, with additional lessons and advice from Paul O’Dette and Elizabeth Kenny.

As a soloist James has performed throughout Europe, the U.S.A, the Middle East and Australia.  Widely active as a chamber musician, he has accompanied leading singers and vocal groups including Dame Emma Kirkby, Miriam Allan, I Fagiolini, Ex Cathedra, Stile Antico, Solomon’s Knot, the Dunedin Consort and the Marian Consort and instrumental groups such as Fretwork, Chelys Viol Consort and The Rose Consort of Viols. As a continuo player James has worked for many major opera companies including, English National Opera, Welsh National Opera, Opera North, Glynebourne and Innsbruck Festival Opera and orchestras and ensembles including The Scottish, Irish and English Chamber Orchestras, Northern Sinfonia, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, The Ulster Orchestra, and The Essen Philharmonie.

James has performed on numerous recordings, film soundtracks, theatrical stages, and broadcast for the BBC, France Musique and RTE Lyric, Ireland

James lectures in early plucked strings at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.