James King is best known as saxophonist, multi instrumentalist, and co-founding member of multi-platinum Elektra artists Fitz and the Tantrums.
His bari sax playing has been a key part of the LA band’s sound since their inception in 2008, featuring prominently on their radio hits “Out of my League”, “Fool”, “HandClap” and 2013’s alternative smash “The Walker” which he co-wrote.
On stage, his role in the band as multi-instrumentalist encompasses alto and bari sax, flute, guitar, keyboards, percussion and background vocals.
Aside from Fitz and the Tantrums, James has appeared on albums by Ringo Starr, Camila Cabello, Iggy Pop, Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, Elton John, Carly Rae Jepsen, Alex Lilly, Maria Del Pilar, Father John Misty, Jimmy Eat World, Queens of the Stone Age. Madlib, De La Soul, Ibrahim Ferrer, Jimmy Cliff, Broadheds, and Gold Cobra.
In 2011 he contributed the widely recognized zeitgeist-capturing sax solo to M83’s platinum hit “Midnight City”.
His live appearances have included work with Tony Bennett, Eddie Vedder, Spoon, Big Daddy Kane, De La Soul, Ghostface Killah, The Wailing Souls, Sara Bareilles, Obi Best, Harper Simon, Paul F. Tompkins, and Jeff Goldblum. He has performed on flute and sax with many prominent Latin pop and salsa artists, including Ray Barretto, Adonis Puentes, Joe Bataan, Perico Hernandez and Domingosiete. He was a longtime member of LA deep funk heroes Breakestra, Dakah Hip Hop Orchestra, and roots reggae collective The Lions.
As a composer, James’ credits include the soundtrack for the feature-length kids’ adventure “Nic and Tristan Go Mega-Dega”, and animation including “The Prince and Mr. Whiskers”, a special short for Nickelodeon. He has performed on numerous film and television soundtracks such as Spongebob Squarepants, The Offer, Strange Angel, Mr. Men, and The Hangover 2.
He arranged and produced the cover of the Allen/Bacharach classic “Arthur's Theme”, performed by Fitz and the Tantrums, for the 2011 ‘Arthur’ movie reboot starring Russell Brand.
James King grew up in a musical family, the son of a guitarist and a cellist. He studied saxophone with Mel Steinberg and flute with Karen Hayhurst while attending Los Angeles County High School of the Arts, and subsequently earned his BFA in jazz performance at California Institute of the Arts (‘99), where he studied with Paul Novros, Vinny Golia, David Roitstein, Gary Joynes, Pedro Eustache and Charlie Haden.
James King endorses reeds by D’Addario Woodwinds, and Theo Wanne mouthpieces.