James Girling and Bim Williams

Bim Williams based in Manchester, is an up and coming young jazz guitarist who has become a regular face on the North West jazz scene. Bim studied with both Mike walker and Hannes Riepler and has played with some of the countries leading jazz musicians such as Neil Yates, Adrian Cox and Sara Oshlag.

James Girling is an award-winning, versatile British guitarist, improviser and collaborator now based in Oslo. Tutored by classical guitarist Craig Ogden and jazz pianist Dan Whieldon, he graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music with a Masters in 2018. James has been featured as guest soloist with the RNCM Big Band, with whom he also performed for the duration of his conservatoire studies.

James tours the UK and Europe playing in various ensembles, at the heart of whose music is original composition and improvisation, including the acclaimed Afrobeat/Ethio-jazz-inspired 11-piece Agbeko and Prohibition-era septet The Easy Rollers - both releasing new albums in 2022. During 2015-20, he and trumpeter Aaron Wood co-led Artephis quintet: Jazz North alumni, whose music was broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and Radio 2. James has played across the North’s jazz festivals, at Manchester International Festival, Love Supreme Festival, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Brecon Jazz Festival and Wimbledon International Music Festival.

James has performed alongside eminent soloists such as the late Pee Wee Ellis and Tina May, Tim Garland, Nikki Iles, Julian Joseph and Markus Stockhausen. An in-demand, published arranger, James has been commissioned by vocalist Jacqui Dankworth, composer/saxophonist Andy Scott, The Hallé, and Aquarelle Guitar Quartet with pianist/vocalist Clarice Assad.

‘Watch out for James; he’s an awesome player!’

— Martin Taylor, MBE