About
A tenor shaped by two scenes
Gospel, jazz, choral and contemporary music, across Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Tochukwu Nzurike James is a professional tenor singer, backing vocalist, vocal coach and music director.
His performance experience spans Nigeria and the United Kingdom, including concerts, cultural festivals and collaborative musical engagements. He works across live concerts, gospel music, jazz, choral performance, ensemble singing and contemporary music.
In the UK he has sung as a singer and backing vocalist at concerts by Burna Boy, Asake, Ayra Starr and Erigga, backed Mercy Chinwo at Festival of Praise Manchester and Art Terry & the Black Bohemians at BOST Festival, and performed as a tenor at The Jazz Bar in Edinburgh.
He is trained in vocal performance and music theory, and is skilled in lead and backing vocals, tenor solo performance, vocal harmony, ensemble singing, repertoire preparation and vocal coaching.
Training
Voice, studied formally
A Diploma in Music specialising in Voice, with ABRSM qualifications in practical voice and theory.
- 2014 – 2016 Diploma in Music – Voice Major MUSON Diploma School of Music Nigeria
- 2015 – 2016 Music Studies SPAN Nigeria Nigeria
- 2016 Grade 7 Practical Examination, Voice Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM)
- 2016 Grade 7 Theory Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM)
Range
What he brings
On stage
- Tenor vocal performance and solo singing
- Lead vocals and backing vocals
- Vocal harmony and ensemble singing
- Live concerts and festival performances
- Stage performance and audience engagement
Repertoire
- Gospel
- Jazz
- Choral and classical
- Contemporary music
In the rehearsal room
- Music direction and ensemble coordination
- Vocal coaching and technique development
- Breath control, pitch accuracy and vocal expression
- Repertoire preparation and rehearsal
Ambition
To develop an internationally recognised career as a tenor singer and backing vocalist, contributing to high-quality live performances, musical collaborations and the UK’s diverse music industry.