James Michael Nugent

James is a professional pianist, composer, music educator, and writer with over 25 years of experience in the industry.

Despite a relatively late start - beginning private piano lessons at 17 - music quickly became a full-time passion for James. At 18, he began formal music education at Glasgow's North Kelvin College, where he studied piano and composition under BAFTA-nominated composer and classical pianist Ross Campbell.

James' early piano education focused on classical music, particularly the works of J.S. Bach and Claude Debussy. Studying Bach led to a keen interest in improvisation and sparked a shift from classical music to jazz. This transition began with ragtime, particularly Scott Joplin compositions like "Maple Leaf Rag," and developed into a lifelong passion for composition and harmony, influenced by Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, and Chick Corea.

James furthered his musical education at the SAE Institute.

As a performer, he has played in a wide range of venues, from the legendary King Tut's Wah Wah Hut to Glasgow's City Halls and Mitchell Theatre, both as a soloist and ensemble musician.

Over time, composition became a more significant part of James' work, including original pieces for national mental health campaigns.

James taught piano privately and in music workshops throughout his early career. Teaching gave him a new perspective and a chance to understand how different students interpret musical concepts. One of his most notable observations was how students respond to different instruments, particularly weighted versus non-weighted keys. This insight led to opportunities to test keyboard instruments and write about their pros and cons for players of all levels.

As a pianist and composer, James strongly advocates having a distinct musical voice. "We can't all play like Franz Liszt or Keith Jarrett, but if we sound like ourselves, we're on the right track."