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The English treble, James Rainbird, was educated at King's House School, Richmond, Surrey. As a member of the King's House School Choir he has been a featured soloist on tour in France in 1984 with concerts in Fontainbleu, Larchant Cathedral and Notre Dame, Paris; and in 1985 on tour in New York State. London engagements with the choir included venues such as The Royal Festival Hall, The Barbican, the Grosvenor House Hotel, and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Among the recording credits with the Choir included backing Tina Turner for the song "We don't need another hero" from the film "Max Max Beyond Thunderdome."
In January 1986 James Rainbird understudied Aled Jones on three occasions for "The Snowman" and in February sang "Walking in the Air" under Howard Blake's baton - this successful concert for Raymond Gubbey Concerts was repeated in April. James recorded two scores for Nigel Hess - the first being "Winter's Tale" for the Royal Shakesspeare Company at Stratford and after this for a play starring Helen Mirren. In December 1986, he was a guest soloist for BBC Radio 2 "Friday Night is Music Night: with the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Stanley Black and also for a Gala Night of 100 Stars from the London Paladium - broadcast on LWT on Boxing Day. James' main achievement during December 1986 was an invitation from The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden to study the role of Amahl in Menotti's opera Amahl and the Night Visitors. The opera directed by the composer was presented by The Royal Opera House during December in honour of Menotti's 75th birthday. It was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and later James recorded the rold for TER Records.
James Rainbird has recorded the solo vocal music for "Empire of the Sun," a film by Steven Spielberg, and performed in the Volte-Face production of Benjamin Britten's Church Parables in the Camden Festival. He then recorded "Jonathan's Song" - the title song for the film "Magic Toyshop" and was invited to perform with the Wren Orchestra conducted by Stanley Myers at the Grosvenor House Hotel for the 1987 International Confederation of the Variety Clubs...and subsequently for the occasion to honour Sir Alec Guinness at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival where he sang in front of Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince and Princess of Wales.
Since 1987, James Rainbird worked extensively with Andrew Lloyd Webber, performing regularly at the Barbican, Royal Festival Hall and other enues throughout Europe and the USA. James went on to study as a Music Scolar at Frensham Heights School. Under the expert guidance and training of Edwin Rolles, he continued his musical career as a soloist with many guest performances. Today he continues to sing, living and working in central London as a singer/songwriter. |
