James Scott was born into a musical family in Farnworth, Lancashire where his father Archie was employed as a miner. He was also a member of the bass player section in the famous Besses o' th' Barn Band. From his childhood he remembers walking the eight miles to the Besses band room where he would then sit and listen on a wicker basket. He had his first cornet lesson at the age of eight, and at the age of twelve he was appointed principal cornet of the Ibstock Band. He continued to progress and at fifteen he was the principal cornet with the City of Coventry Band and then at eighteen he held the same position at Grimethorpe Colliery Band. t was his move to Munn & Felton's, a band which in 1962 became known as GUS (Footwear) Band, which brought him to greater prominence as its principal cornetist. He won the Cornet Championship of Great Britain in both 1959 and 1960. James is a gentleman and his philosophy has always been 'Self praise is no praise...', therefore it has always been left to others to extol his virtues as a cornetist. His technique was flawless, his sound was sweetness itself, yet powerful and incisive when required. A soloist with brilliance and flair. In 1960 he retired from cornet playing and moved back to the North of England, to begin what was to be a remarkable conducting career. At the same time he did play he gained valuable experience as a trumpet player with the major northern symphony orchestras. He has conducted with great success a number of bands which includes: Cammell Laird, Brighouse and Rastrick, Grimethorpe, Foden's, Wingates and Yorkshire Imperial Metals. In 1977 he was awarded the 'Iles Medal' by the worshipful Company of Musicians of the City of London in recognition of his significant contribution to the brass band movement. These days he is still in great demand as an adjudicator and conductor at band contests and concerts both at home and abroad. His guidance and experience is often called upon as a musical advisor.