Biography
Born into a musical family in Denver, Colorado, cellist James Todd counted a cellist among his great-grandfathers and a violinist-conductor among his grandfathers. At five he joined an ensemble directed by his siblings on mandolin, took up piano in second grade, and moved to cello by fourth grade. Throughout high school he played annually in Denver’s All-City Orchestra. After a year at the University of Denver he transferred to Metropolitan State College of Denver, where he majored in business education while serving as principal cellist for both the orchestra and the chamber ensemble. He completed a B.S. in business magna cum laude yet chose a professional path in music that included performances with the Denver Symphony and numerous visiting artists.
He later assumed the principal cello chair with the Arapahoe Philharmonic. Beyond classical engagements he accompanied an array of touring pop acts appearing in Denver—Ray Charles, Led Zeppelin, Yes, Brian Wilson, Yanni, Stevie Wonder, Linda Ronstadt, and Smokey Robinson among them. He also recorded and performed with singer-songwriter Celeste Krenz and contributed to three albums by the new-age ensemble Music for Candles.
His first solo release, Quiet Beauty, contains original compositions. Supported by pianist William Morse, Todd layers two or three cello lines to position the instrument as lead voice. Issued in 2005 on his own Celloman Records imprint, the album marks his debut as a composer-performer.
He later assumed the principal cello chair with the Arapahoe Philharmonic. Beyond classical engagements he accompanied an array of touring pop acts appearing in Denver—Ray Charles, Led Zeppelin, Yes, Brian Wilson, Yanni, Stevie Wonder, Linda Ronstadt, and Smokey Robinson among them. He also recorded and performed with singer-songwriter Celeste Krenz and contributed to three albums by the new-age ensemble Music for Candles.
His first solo release, Quiet Beauty, contains original compositions. Supported by pianist William Morse, Todd layers two or three cello lines to position the instrument as lead voice. Issued in 2005 on his own Celloman Records imprint, the album marks his debut as a composer-performer.
Albums
