performer
producer
educator
David James is a dynamic guitarist, songwriter, and full-time performer based in Detroit, known for his expressive playing and genre-spanning versatility. With roots in metal, hip hop, reggae, pop, jazz, and country, his current work fuses indie, soul, and jazz-inflected hip hop — blending groove-driven rhythms with emotive guitar lines and sharp musicality.
Beyond technical skill, David brings a deep emotional vocabulary to every performance, treating music as a language for exploring and elevating the human experience. He has co-written and recorded music for the Detroit Pistons, and has performed at major venues including Little Caesars Arena, St. Andrew’s Hall, Magic Stick, 20 Front Street, and MGM Casino.
Whether on stage, in the studio, or working one-on-one as a private instructor, David James delivers with clarity, nuance, and undeniable passion.