The son of a North Carolina born career Air Force NCO and a Maine bred school teacher, James Harton is a Pennsylvania musician currently based in the dead center of the state.

His musical education began at the age of seven on the piano. After many years of frequent moving and many different teachers, he continued to learn and craft his vocation. In high school he was awarded the Louis Armstrong award for jazz performance and many other commendations, but those accolades only encouraged him further. His Bachelor in Arts in English Literature from Grove City College also includes a significant minor in music. Many hours were spent behind the piano as a soloist and accompanist, and many more behind the magnificent organ at the Harbison Chapel earnestly practicing.

The organ as an instrument in both secular and liturgical situations soon became a sincere passion. After some itinerant work as a church musician he was quickly corralled into his local popular music scene as a much-needed ‘young blood' keyboard player. His playing further evolved. Ever since, he has performed with some noteworthy and some not so noteworthy ensembles primarily on organ, but also piano.

Not to be limited by the modern music scene, James incorporated the fine traditions and sounds of the keyboards by being a traditionalist. After much searching and scouring of the area, he assembled an interesting collection of vintage keyboard gear and a reputation of knowing not only how to play them, but how to fix them as well. His reputation of being ‘that nut' who insists on carrying a real Hammond organ and Leslie speaker cabinet to gigs has caused pain, but created smiles from band members and the audience.

He has gigged with a 60's Hammond A101, and is currently installing an A100 inside a vintage Model A cabinet. Along with his trusty 1970 Leslie 145, he also uses a Wurlitzer electric piano and 'Jack' an Acme 120 bass accordion. Not being totally adverse to modern advancements, a sampler loaded with sounds from the incredibly unreliable Mellotron and the amazing Nord Electro has recently been augmented into his arsenal.

His style is a roots-based amalgamation of keyboard influences and non-keyboard influences: Booker T and the MG's, Billy Preston, Garth Hudson, The Beatles, ‘Groove' Holmes and Bob Dylan are just a few. His experience as a church musician, big band pianist, rock and blues sideman and solo pianist has earned him a diverse style and a quick ear.

He is currently seeking a permanent touring position with a well established band. In the meantime he has been working on developing his own music and playing with a few side projects.

In the past he has played with the Nashville based indie-country chanteuse Dawn Kinnard, critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Kris Kehr, the original jazz-funk fusion band veinmelter, surf-punk-abilly bar favorites The Four Horsemen, Austin based singer-songwriter Erin Condo, the Central Pennsylvanian roots-rocker's Jawbone, modern rock outfit The Fables, and the blues-rocking Catfish Soup. He can occasionally be seen sitting-in with local and regional bands.

The past few year have been productive in the studio for many projects. His playing is featured on recordings by Kris Kehr, The Asher Kahn Band, Erin Condo, The Youngers, Hannah Bingman, John Cunningham, Dawn Kinnard and others.