James Gray

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James Gray Biog

Born into a family actively involved in the local Scottish Country Dance scene, James Gray grew up surrounded by a love of Scottish music and culture. He started piano lessons at the age of five, initially being taught by his grandmother, who played for his parents' dance classes.

During the last 15 years, he has played as a solo musician at dance schools in the US, Europe and New Zealand, and was the director of the first RSCDS youth school.  The Host of the Air was his first ensemble release, which featured many of his compositions, and was widely acclaimed as the most innovative Scottish Country Dance CD to date.  In December 2006 he released his first solo piano album Piano Dance.

He currently plays in the dance bands Scottish Measure and Rantin' Rovin' Reelin', and in a duo with Keith Smith.  Scottish Measure released its first CD, a first dram in 2002.  Rantin' Rovin' Reelin' has been well received for its new and exciting sound in Europe and also at the show 'Dancing Forth' in the 2004 and 2005 Edinburgh Fringe Festivals.  James's accompaniment style is very suited to the fiddle and hence it is no surprise that he and Keith Smith are in great demand as a duo.

Outside of dancing, James also plays with champion Scottish fiddler Gregor Borland and on the accordion with the folkie collective Bothy Tam's Vintage Steam Engine Rally. James features on Gregor Borland's CD Bowstroke, which was released in September 2006.