Hailed by The Times as "a player of real charisma", Sarah James maintains a diverse and active career as an acclaimed saxophonist, orchestral performer, chamber musician and multi instrumentalist for top UK and international stage productions. 

Sarah's solo engagements include recitals at London's Purcell Room, the Wigmore Hall, Manchester's Bridgewater Hall, the British Saxophone Congress, live on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM, at the BBC Proms, the Banff International Festival and on both ABC Australia and South African SABC television and radio. Sarah has commissioned and premiered many new works for saxophone by composers including Joe Duddell, Philip Cashian and Nigel Wood. 

​Competition success includes the KPMG Martin Musical Trust, the Countess of Munster Musical Trust, the Manchester Midday Concerts Society, the Australian Music Competition and the Hattori Foundation. Sarah was also a finalist in the Royal Overseas League International Music Competition.

As an award winning graduate of London's Royal Academy of Music, Sarah achieved the Dip RAM - the Academy's highest performance award - for her joint final recital playing both saxophone and clarinet. Sarah was the recipient of the 2000 RAM Meaker Fellowship, and was awarded the prestigious RAM Final Recital Award - twice. 

In 2022, Sarah was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music.