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

Solo engagement highlights include recitals at London’s Purcell Room, Wigmore Hall, Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, at the British Saxophone Congress, Banff International Festival, for ABC Australia and South African SABC television and radio, and live for BBC Radio 3, Classic Fm and the BBC Proms Inspire! series.

Competition success includes the KPMG Martin Musical Trust, the Countess of Munster Trust, 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.

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

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