James Kitchman

James Kitchman

James Kitchman is a London-based guitarist. He is originally from Northumberland, and is also associated with the Old Hat Jazz Band. He is known for a lyrical approach to jazz guitar and a sophisticated grasp of harmony, and works across a range of musical styles and disciplines.

Career and collaborations

Kitchman co-leads the Southern Cone Quintet, a project focused on Argentinian, Chilean and Uruguayan folk music. He also takes part in the Orpheus Sinfonia’s performances of Tarik O’Regan’s electro-acoustic opera; O’Regan is a Grammy-nominated composer. He frequently appears at major London venues with UK and international artists, including a series of concerts with the indie-rock group The Libertines.

Recordings

His recording First Quartet, issued on Ubuntu Music, receives airplay on BBC Radio 3, Jazz FM and Worldwide FM. He also releases a guitar and vocal album under the name Kitchman / Schmidt, which explores Anglo-American folk songs from the Appalachian mountains.

Musical profile

Kitchman’s work is marked by a distinctive voice across different projects, and he continues to develop his approach through collaborations in jazz, folk and other cross-genre settings.