Paul James is one of the most exciting and energetic Toronto-based Canadian musicians – past, present and future.
Paul James has received many music awards during his long career in the music business. He is winner of a Juno Award, multiple Toronto Music Awards,‘The Maple Blues (Lifetime Achievement Award for Blues Music in Canada), the London Fire Hall Lifetime Achievement Award, and he has many more music awards to grace his mantle. However, winning the respect of his musical peers always rated more highly than winning any awards for Paul.
Bo Diddley asked Paul to open his show and to back him up over 100 times between the years 1973 and 2007. Paul co-wrote a song with Bo, recorded with him and helped him to create the whole soundtrack for the movie, ‘Diary of a Sinner’. Bo Diddley played on Paul’s first vinyl album,’ Almost Crazy’, and wrote the liner notes for his second album, ‘The Paul James Band’. In 1986 Bo wrote: “From the beginning of his young career, I predicted that Paul James would be a big star one day and that time is now! The man is a true professional and dynamic! Listening to Paul James is listening to the building of a new thing, and he is a new thing. Paul James is a great musician, He’s a great tribute to Rock’n’Roll.”
- Legendary Backing: Paul James has shared the stage with music icons including Bo Diddley, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and Bob Dylan.
- Bob Dylan Connection: Dylan famously sat in with James at a Toronto club in 1986 and later invited James to open for him and join him on stage during several tours.
- International Presence: James served as the guitarist for Willy DeVille’s band, Mink DeVille, during a 1982 world tour that included a notable performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival.
- Awards: He is a Juno Award winner and recipient of the Maple Blues Lifetime Achievement Award.
Career Highlights and Collaborations
- Legendary Backing: Paul James has shared the stage with music icons including Bo Diddley, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and Bob Dylan.
- Bob Dylan Connection: Dylan famously sat in with James at a Toronto club in 1986 and later invited James to open for him and join him on stage during several tours.
- International Presence: James served as the guitarist for Willy DeVille’s band, Mink DeVille, during a 1982 world tour that included a notable performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival.
- Awards: He is a Juno Award winner and recipient of the Maple Blues Lifetime Achievement Award.
