Cover Notes - James Rainbird was born in
Rustington, West Sussex, in May 1975 and at the time of this recording
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 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, James 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.
He 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 this recording, James 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.
Download Empire of the Sun trailer (James Rainbird is the soloist with the Ambrosian Junior Choir - the boy in the film is Justin Bale)
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