About James Elmore III

James was born in New York City but lived in Birmingham, Alabama for his early elementary years. His first musical experience was playing violin in a school-sponsored music program with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. After moving back to New York, James transitioned to the saxophone in middle school and began playing for his school’s Concert Band. As a Saturday extracurricular activity, he played with the Manhattan Borough-Wide Band, where the highlight of this experience was a performance at Carnegie Hall. James attended LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and the Performing Arts and Queens College. He studied under the tutelage of Bob Stewart, Sir Roland Hanna, Todd Williams, privately with Bobby Watson, and Master Classes with members of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. He performed in the 2^nd Annual Essentially Ellington competition at Lincoln Center (2^nd place) with LaGuardia High School’s Big Band and was also a member of the Queens College Undergraduate Symphonic Orchestra.