He’s toured all over the world and released his first album earlier this year, but it was James Hudson’s time at Warwick that inspired him to become a professional jazz singer.

Although he studied Biological Sciences, James credits his involvement in societies such as Musical Theatre Warwick and Warwick Big Band for shaping his career.

“Before I went to university I didn’t know whether I wanted to go to drama school or not. I didn’t know if I was good enough. The main reason I went to Warwick was because it had all these societies and amazing facilities like Warwick Arts Centre,” he said.

“I didn’t want to let my love for singing and acting die. At Warwick I could study Biology, which I really enjoyed, and sing.”

James’ first album Tomorrow is inspired by the Great American Songbook and his love for artists such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme and Tony Bennett. Released earlier this year to critical acclaim, it was named Jazz FM’s Album of the Week.

“I didn’t want to go too far out - it was all about arrangements and interpretation that I had to give this album for it to be my own. I really wanted to keep that old school sound but give it a modern edge,” he explained.

James has fond memories of appearing in productions such as Beauty and the Beast and Sweeney Todd at Warwick and made lifelong friends through his involvement with societies. He admits his path at university wasn’t always easy – he didn’t make it into Big Band in the first year, and was unsuccessful in his first choral scholarship audition, but rejection built resilience.

“I’m glad I didn’t succeed at first because it made me work harder,” he said. “I ended up performing with Big Band for two years and receiving a choral scholarship really built my confidence. There’s so much more that’s given through a scholarship than financial support”

After graduating in 2014, James joined the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, and his career took off from there. Highlights so far including singing in countries all over the world, from India to Norway, and performing at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, where he met one of his favourite modern jazz artists, Kurt Elling.

“So many people I look up to have performed there,” he explained.

With venues closed, the Covid-19 pandemic has been incredibly tough for musicians like James, but creating the album helped him survive.

“It’s been my crutch to get through it. I’ve lost so much of my identity – the kick I get from performing on stage – I’m used to doing three to four gigs a week. I think my brain has missed that adrenalin so I’ve put everything into this,” he said.

As we head into the summer, James is planning a UK tour, and he hopes one day to come back and perform at Warwick Arts Centre, where it all started.