James works closely with a number of outstanding directors, performance coaches, musicians, recording professionals and photographers who have either performed with him or helped him record and produce his music.
Musicians/Accompanists
Daryl Kojak (piano) performs with James at private events as well as club venues. He has worked on the New York music scene for more than twenty five years as a pianist, producer, composer, songwriter, arranger and musical director. The musical genres and styles of his extensive recording experience include jazz, classical, blues, rock, R&B, pop, new age and musical theatre. An accomplished and widely diverse composer, Daryl has created and scored music for film, television, stage, artist’s recordings and video games. He has also worked closely with many New York Cabaret artists.
Misha Tsiganov (piano) worked closely with James on his CD and his piano playing appears on ten songs along with synthesizer and Hammond B3 organ. His touch on the jazz songs and his play on Spain/Fragile, Every Breath You Take and Do It All Over Again are truly noteworthy. Over the past 10 years, Misha has performed and recorded with musicians such as Gary Bartz, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Joe Chambers, Richie Cole, Wynton Marsalis, Clark Terry, Dave Valentine and Ray Vega. He can be heard weekly as the featured pianist on the Bill Cosby/Nickolodean TV cartoon Little Bill. Misha's identifiable piano sounds are also featured in Paramount Pictures/Viacom's Little Bill videos.
Steve Sweeting (piano) performed with James in New York City and has worked closely with James as an accompanist. Steve is also a gifted song writer.
Dmitri Kolesnik (upright bass) performed on many of the songs on James' CD. Dima has also performed live with James in New York City and at private events. He has played with artists such as Sheila Jordan, Pat Metheny, Dave Brubeck, Lenny White and Billy Taylor. Visit Dmitri's web site here.
Nick Lazarev (electric bass) performed several songs on James CD. In addition to being a great guy, Nick's artistry and talent on the electric bass are unmatched. Nick has played with Larry Coryell, Dean Brown, Vic Juris and Ron Afiff to name a few.
Abe Fogle (drums) performed with James in New York City and is the drummer on the jazz arrangements on James CD. Abe is an accomplished drummer and musician, and has performed with artists such as Alex Bugnon, KC andThe Sunshine, and Kool and The Gang.
Dwayne “Cook” Broadnax (drums) has performed with James at various private evewnts and at James' cabaret debut. He is also a regular with jazz legend Jimmy Scott and has performed with Lionel Hampton.
Dioni Collins (background vocalist) has appeared in a number of Broadway and off-Broadway shows and is a gifted actress and vocalist.
Chris Washburne (trombone) performed on James' CD and can be heard around New York City with the Syoto Orchestra, an outstanding Latin jazz group he founded. Visit Chris' web site.
John Walsh (trumpet/flugel horn) performed on James CD and is also a member of the Syoto Orchestra with Chris.
Ole Mathisen (tenor & soprano sax) performed on James' CD and has performed with him on several occasions. is also a member of the Syotto Orchestra with Chris Washburne. Among Ole's credits are his recordings with legendary bassist, Ron Carter.
John Scarpula (baritone saxophone) performs on Do It All Over Again, the title song of the CD. John can often be found playing his various brass instruments in the Broadway show Movin' Out. Visit John's web site.
Directors, Performance Coaches and Other Resources
Lina Koutrakos (singer/songwriter and director) can be seen unplugged in TORCH- a one woman show running monthly at the Metropolitan Room. Lina also leads a rock/blues band featuring her award winning original material. Her work as director is featured through many rave reviewed talented soloists around town and has won her almost as many NYC awards as her singing has! Lina directed James' cabaret debut One Step Forward at the Metropolitan Room.
Norma Garbo (vocal performance coach) works with James on applying critical vocal approaches to different styles of music and delivering live performances of his songs.
Kat James (CD artwork design and development) is the creative leader who developed the photo concepts behind James' CD, and was instrumental in guiding the photography sessions. She is the author of The Truth About Beauty and Total Transformation Programs. Visit Kat's web site.
Dr. Bill Reed (vocal coach) works closely with James on vocal technique and song interpretation. Bill has worked closely with hundreds of successful vocalists in New York City including award winning Grammy and Tony artists.
Kimberly Vaughn (performance coach) is a 3-time Tony Award nominated Broadway producer, teacher, director, dramaturge, Broadway performer,and is passionately committed to the creative art of storytelling. Kimberly Vaughn Performance Studio's teaches ongoing classes in musical performance audition technique, monologue and scene script interpretation, and conducts master classes with industry leaders.
Barry Yee (photographer) is the photographer for the photos on this web site under About and Music.
Jen Greenwald (photographer) is the photographer for the cover shot on James' CD as well as shots shown on the web site home page as well as under Events, Partners and Contact.
Creative, Recording, Production
Gennaro Tedesco (producer, recording engineer, vocalist, guitarist). Gennaro led the creative role in producing Do It All Over Again with James. He is also performing as a background vocalist, guitarist and percussionist on several of James' arrangements.
© Copyright 2009 James Hammel / BMI / Indigo Sea Publishing. All Rights Reserved.