James Pillai UK / Sri Lanka
British/Sri Lankan horn player James’ interest in music started at an early age, taking up the tenor horn at 7 years old. At 10 he moved onto the French horn, soon joining the Royal College of Music’s Junior Department where he studied with Susan Dent before gaining a scholarship to the RCM where he studied with Simon Rayner, Nigel Black and John Ryan. For the past 10 years James has led a busy and varied freelance career, appearing as guest principal with all the major London orchestras. A passionate chamber musician, James has collaborated with ensembles Ensemble 360 and Orsino and recorded with Mark Simpson for Orchid Classics (Gran Partita/Geysir 2020) as well as regularly being invited to festivals such as Southwell, Aldeburgh and Highgate. James lives in South London with his wife, a bassoonist, their 3 children and cat, Cheryl. Outside of music James’ passions include cricket, coffee and wine.
