James William Blades is a composer and producer based in New York. Working primarily as film composer, he has worked across a wide range of productions including feature films, documentary, art exhibition, sound installation as well as producing music for recording artists.

James scores explore the use of timbre, harmony and musical aesthetics relating to sonic narratives. James textured and detailed musical productions aim to develop sonic landscapes that create new moods and new meanings.

In 2021 worked with Beyoncé composing the score to her film Black Is King for Disney. James has had a solo exhibition installed at the V&A Museum in London, and produced music that had been presented at the Venice Biennale, Serpentine Gallery, New Museum, The Shed, 180 The Strand and Palais De Tokyo, where he produced music for artist and musician Theaster Gates exhibition. In 2022 James composed the music to Kiin: a three part companion film to Silent Twins directed by Fenn O’meally, released by Focus Features.

More recently James scored the Showtime documentary Point Gods produced by Coodie and Chike and Kevin Durant (Jeen-yuhs 2022). James also created the score for Daron, Daron Colbert which premiered at the Locarno Film Festival in August 2022.

In 2023 James scored the music to Mutt and Power Signal, both of which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival 2023.

James has had repeated collaborations with Kahlil Joseph, producing music, soundscapes and additional score for his film Flypaper, Black Mary and for Sampha’s film Process as well as creating music for long term collaborator and fashion designer Grace Wales Bonner, providing music productions and music direction.

James has a Masters in composition at Royal College of Music and a guest lecturer at Yale University.