James Morton is a long standing member of The Herbaliser and has developed an international career over the last 15 years. He has worked with artists including Kasabian, Raphael Saadiq, Cee Lo Green, Roni Size, George Clinton, Fred Wesley and The New JBs, and Carleen Anderson.

In 1965 Pee Wee Ellis joined James Brown’s band playing alto sax. Within six months he was bandleader and musical director and wrote songs with James Brown. ‘Cold Sweat’, widely acknowledged as the first true funk record, and many of JBs’ hits for the next four years were the fruit of this collaboration.

By 1970 Pee Wee moved on to CTI in New York and was producing and directing for the likes of Brother Jack McDuff, Esther Phillips and George Benson. In 1979 in California he caught the ear of Van Morrison and began a five year spell as Van’s musical director and bandleader arranging the horns on albums such a Into the Music, and Common One.
He has arranged for and recorded with Boy George, Joss Stone, George Clinton and Paul Carrack and was a member of Ginger Baker’s Jazz Confusion.

James has recently been commissioned by Canary Wharf, Chestochowa and The Polish Ministry of culture. Newly formed project Craqsquad formed with multi award winning producer DJ SUV includes members of Massive Attack, The Herbaliser and Roni Size Reprazent drew a crowd of 9000 people at the first performance in May 2018. 

His unique lyrical and rhythmic style, which allows him to directly “speak” to his audience, conveys a strong sense of emotion that really connects with people and is what makes him such a special – and in demand – player.

Join them and a full band for this special concert.