He is a French horn player, also known as Jim Handy, born in England who started to play the piano when he was around four years old and gravitated to the French horn when he was still just ten. He went on to take his musical studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
He has been a member of the Albany Brass Ensemble, Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, English Brass Ensemble and performed with the Philharmonia Orchestra as No. 5 Horn since 1988.
Appearing on many recordings he can be heard on the soundtracks of Les Miserables, Lawrence of Arabia and Big Country, The Twelve Days of Christmas/Night in Vienna with the English Brass Ensemble, and in popular music appears on Come on Home and Baby, The Stars Shine Bright by Everything But the Girl.
Here is “Cross my Heart” from Everything but the Girl’s Baby, The Stars Shine Bright which James performs on…
Sources:
- https://www.philharmonia.co.uk/orchestra/players/13190/james_handy
- http://www.hornplayer.net/sections/s376.html
- http://freespace.virgin.net/michael.harrold/frames/engbra.htm
- http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=6987178&cart=598359343&style=classical
- http://www.topfoto.co.uk/imageflows/preview/t=topfoto&f=ARP1276673
- https://www.discogs.com/artist/480802-Jim-Handy