James B Gibney is a South Oxfordshire-based guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and frontman of the band Big Sky Orchestra. With over 17 years of experience as a performing and recording artist, James brings deep musicality, passion, and technical expertise to everything he does — from the stage and studio to private teaching sessions.

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Born and raised in Worcestershire, James grew up in a family of music lovers, surrounded by a rich mix of musical influences. At just eight years old, he picked up his first guitar, a knock-off Stratocaster, and began teaching himself by mimicking the sounds of the music he loved. 

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Over the years, his musical world expanded through indie rock, psych, funk, soul, and global styles, eventually leading to a creative turning point with the discovery of the Grateful Dead, Steely Dan, Little Feat, The Allman Brothers & Frank Zappa (to name a few!). These sounds had a transformative effect on his approach to guitar, improvisation, and songwriting - an evolution that continues to this day with his latest love for bluegrass music and artists such as Tony Rice, Doc Watson, Norman Blake and Billy Strings. 

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James is the co-lead guitarist, lead vocalist and principal songwriter for Big Sky Orchestra - the leading UK-based jam band, cofounded with his long time musical partner and collaborator, Benedict Mann. Known for their improvised live shows, layered harmonies, and genre-spanning grooves, the band has played stages at El Dorado Festival, Camper Calling, Wychwood Festival, and more.

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With BSO, James is a driving creative force both on and off stage, overseeing arrangements, recording sessions, and live performance production. The band is currently touring across the UK with new music on the way.