Half of the donations received from listeners to the Mike James concert will be donated to toward Yea Music! Yea Music, which supports musical education for youth.

Mike James will be performing an evening of music that he terms a “Mixed Bag” – a collection of songs which cover different eras and styles. He will be singing and playing guitar, with Bruce Cannavaro playing bass on selected numbers. James’ wife, Val James, will be singing harmonies and the Ad Hoc Trio will be helping out on a song or two.

Mike James is a retired educator/counselor who lives with his wife in Port Townsend, Washington. He grew up in Michigan and moved to the Seattle in 1983. He has been involved in music all his life and enjoys performing solo or with others at various venues, including concerts, festivals, or backyard jams. Everything from jazz to folk, to maritime and music for kids are fair game to him.

Mike is known locally for his community efforts to keep our maritime history alive through music. He has also been active with Key City Public Theater, playing various roles in their old-time radio productions.

Mike views songs as stories having musical backgrounds and interprets them with a seasoned approach playing guitar and, occasionally, a bit of banjo. He and his wife, Val, have recorded several CDs as a duo or with others featuring songs from the “American Songbook”, old and new folk songs, maritime, and originals for both kids and adults.