Dan James is a German big band leader and composer from Bremen, Germany, active in easy listening and jazz. He is associated with Orchestra Orlando, the James Last Orchestra, James Last und seine Hammond Bar Combo, Orchestra conducted by H. Last, and The James Last Band. He is linked to Happy Musikverlag GmbH & Co. KG.

James is identified as an independent singer and songwriter who produces his own CDs on his own label, Heavy Thinker Records. He starts writing his own songs in January 2006 after splitting from his previous indie rock band. His music centres on acoustic guitar and voice, and he describes his sound as similar to Johnny Cash, Ryan Adams, Damien Rice and David Gray.

His stated influences include John Lennon, Charles Bukowski, Ryan Adams, Bill Hicks, Bob Dylan, H.P. Lovecraft, soundtracks, Third Eye Blind, Clive Barker, Joni Mitchell, Neil & Tim Finn, Pablo Neruda, Stevie Nicks and Salvador Dalí. His first album, It's easy when you're lost, is published in 2006, and his second album, Every fault, Every Weakness, Every Flaw, is listed for release in 2007.