James Pillai

British/Sri Lankan horn player James’ interest in music started at an early age, taking up the tenor horn at 7 years old. At 10 he moved onto the French horn, soon joining the Royal College of Music’s Junior Department where he studied with Susan Dent before gaining a scholarship to the RCM where he studied with Simon Rayner, Nigel Black and John Ryan.

For the past 10 years James has led a busy and varied freelance career, regularly appearing as guest principal with all the London orchestras. A passionate chamber musician, James has collaborated with ensembles Ensemble 360 and Orsino and recorded with Mark Simpson for Orchid Classics (Gran Partita/Geysir 2020) as well as regularly being invited to festivals such as Southwell, Aldeburgh and Highgate. In September 2023 he joined the Oxford Philharmonic as Solo Horn.

James lives in South London with his wife, a bassoonist, their 3 children and cat, Cheryl. Outside of music James’ passions include cricket, coffee and wine.