London-based guitarist James Kitchman hails from the forsaken realm of Northumberland. Described by All About Jazz as possessing ‘an exalted lyricism and a sophisticated grasp of harmony’, he is recognised as one of the most distinctive and sought-after jazz guitarists of his generation.
Projects have encompassed a broad array of musical styles and disciplines; he co-led the Southern Cone Quintet’s take on Argentinian, Chilean and Uruguayan folk music; he was a part of the Orpheus Sinfonia in Grammy-nominated composer Tarik O’Regan’s electro-acoustic opera; and in 2020, released a guitar/vocal album as Kitchman / Schmidt exploring the Anglo/American folk songs of the Appalachian mountains.
Kitchman frequently appears at London’s most prestigious venues in collaboration with UK and international artists, including a recent series of concerts with indie-rock group The Libertines. His latest recording ‘First Quartet’ (Ubuntu Music) has been played by BBC Radio 3, Jazz FM, & Worldwide FM, receiving critical acclaim. Recognised for carrying his distinctive voice across all his work, Kitchman is in continual pursuit of artistic development.