Tony James

Tony James - (born August 10, 1976) is a Multi Award-Winning/Nominated Canadian Actor, Singer, Dancer, Artistic Director, Executive Producer, Executive Director, Publicist, Writer and Arts Investor. Originally from Canada's west coast, Tony began his career as a child actor, dancer, and vocalist performing in more than 50 projects before moving into film and television in his late teens. He became recognized as a professional performer in 1989. The youngest of 3 siblings, brother David (second oldest child), sister Michelle (third oldest child) & Eldest sister Nicole (deceased), Tony was born in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. He grew up in the family-oriented town of Esquimalt where he attended elementary school and high school. His father, David, is of English, Italian, American, and German descent. His mother, Lynn, born in Halifax, Nova Scotia is of American, English, Irish, Welsh, and Scottish descent. His parents divorced in 1989. Tony speaks fluent English, Italian & French. His mother is in the health field and his father (retired) worked in the prison security field. As a young boy, Tony was always performing to family and friends. As a teen he was creating shows, stage and voice characters, writing poetry, short stories and plays. Tony has said performing was "gifted to him" through his mother, a pianist and published writer, and his grandfather, who in the early 30's began singing in church and continued thereafter for more than 60 years. During his early years, having self taught himself to sing and dance, Tony originally planned to become a Teacher of Dramatics, however, his passion for performing became apparent after stepping onto the stage for the first time. Although the arts became his central focus it did not deter him from other passions such as athletics. Growing up he had an active interest in baseball, soccer, swimming, volleyball, ice skating, (silver medal winner) and 400 meter relay/100 meter dash. It was at age 15 that Tony began working as a Director/Producer, and by age 19, had received the "Award of Distinction" for service and contribution to the arts. As a performer his most coveted roles include the Master of Ceremonies in "Cabaret" where he was equally compared in performance to Joel Grey, Danny Zuko, in the critically acclaimed production, "Grease", Albert Peterson in the classic "Bye Bye Birdie", and Chino in the long running sold out production of "West Side Story" to name just a few. In 1995 Tony made the decision to leave performing and open a privately held international production company and to raise his child as a single parent. The company, named after his daughter Ocean, was designed with an emphasis on the global production and presentation of live theatre, dance, film and musical concerts. The company has since produced and presented works throughout North America, Europe and Asia. *The company will celebrate its 20th Anniversary in 2015. Throughout the late 1990's Tony broadened his work to include Talent Management where he represented many Actors, Dancers, Singers and Fashion Models, in Milan, Paris, Toronto, London, Vancouver and New York City, while continuing to host and lecture many events/workshops in theatre, concert production and dance. He remains an Artistic Consultant/Adviser on numerous projects globally. From 2003-2009 he held the prestigious position of Executive Director/Producer of two professional ballet companies and was credited with producing/presenting several Canadian & World Premiere ballets. During this time he lent his talents as a Marketing/ Communications Director at the Canadian College of Performing Arts, and found himself in college studying Psychology & Clinical Counseling where he was recognized as one of the top 5 students in his class. His primary psychology expertise is in relationships and children. In 2009, Tony created and produced the acclaimed "Great Ladies of Jazz" concerts, starring four of BC's finest diva's, along with presenting the 6-part "Legends Concert Series" featuring music by iconic 20th century jazz artists. The series starred such notable vocalists as New York based Recording Artist Dee Daniels, Juno Award Winner Denzal Sinclaire, Award Winning Actress/Singer Jayme Armstrong, and London born Award Winning Vocalist Niq Deanne. It was hailed as "One of the Jazz Highlights of the Season". In 2010 Tony expanded his company to include Cape Town, South Africa where he had a residence, and in this same year, founded "The Tony James International Foundation for Children", a private charitable organization providing basic developmental needs to dis-advantaged, displaced, homeless, at-risk, abandoned and orphaned children. In 2013/14 Tony produced Norm Foster's "Self Help", Frank L. Baum's "The Wizard of Oz", Grammy Winner Pablo Diemecke in "Classical Enchantment", Recording Artist Diane Pancel in "The Way We Were", Canadian Singer Tenaj Williams in "Unforgettable" and Recording Artist & Hall of Fame Inductee Sibel Thrasher in "Prelude to a Kiss" all while continuing his work as an Executive Producer in motion pictures. Tony has been the recipient of more than 15 awards for performing, producing, service and citizenship over his 32 year career. Most recently he received a prestigious award from the National Geographic Society for "Diffusing Geographic Knowledge and Promoting Research, Education & Exploration". His philanthropic work has been recognized by many over the last 15 years.