Colin James

1. Artist Header

Artist name: Colin James
Country / region: Canada
Active years: 1980s–present
Primary role(s): Guitarist, singer, songwriter, bandleader

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2. Overview

Colin James is a Canadian guitarist, singer, and songwriter associated with blues, blues rock, and roots-oriented music. He began recording as a solo artist in the late 1980s and has released numerous albums under his own name. James has maintained a long-running recording and touring career in Canada and internationally.

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3. Style and Genre (Established Terms Only)

Primary genres:

• Blues

• Blues rock

Associated styles:

• Electric blues

• Roots rock

• Contemporary blues

Instrumentation:

• Electric guitar

• Vocals

• Bass

• Drums

• Keyboards (in band arrangements)

Notes:
James’ recordings are guitar-led and use blues and blues-rock song structures consistent with post-1960s electric blues and roots-rock traditions.

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4. Career Outline (Factual Timeline)

• Began professional music activity in Canada during the 1980s

• Launched a solo recording career in the late 1980s

• Released albums on major and independent labels

• Maintained an active touring and recording schedule through subsequent decades

• Continued releasing studio albums into the 2020s

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5. Discography (AllMusic)

Studio Albums

• Colin James — 1988

• Sudden Stop — 1990

• Colin James and the Little Big Band — 1993

• Bad Habits — 1995

• National Steel — 1998

• Fuse — 2000

• Traveler — 2003

• Limelight — 2005

• Watermark — 2008

• Blue Highways — 2016

• Miles to Go — 2018

• Open Road — 2020