James Mainwaring was born in Morriston, Swansea. He started
learning the clarinet when he was 9 years old and entered the
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama as a clarinet student at 18.
While at RWCMD, he also took up the saxophone before going
on to study at the Royal Academy of Music.
After completing his studies, James worked in Germany for five
years as a 'doubler' (clarinets, flutes, saxophones). On his
return he toured Britain playing for various musicals including
Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast and Miss
Saigon.
James has played on the QE2, and for Northern Ballet, the City
of London Philharmonic, BBC NOW, Welsh National Opera, various
television and radio companies, and has recorded for Russell Watson
and for the Sochi Winter Olympic Games. He’s also played with
a wide range of artists including Larry Adler, Brian May, Idina
Menzel, James Galway, Bryn Terfel, and recently with George Michael
at the Paris Opera House as part of his Symphonica Tour.
In the last decade, James’ main employment has been in the
West End, playing as part of the orchestra for major West End
productions including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The
Producers, From Here to Eternity, Billy
Elliot and A Chorus Line.
James has performed the Mozart Clarinet Concerto with the
Stevenage Symphony Orchestra and most recently the Copland Clarinet
Concerto with Hertfordshire Symphony Orchestra.