Bandstanding: James Fromont

Walking along the Oakley Creek and being near the water are relaxing and inspiring to James Fromont – guitarist extraordinaire and teacher of some 25 years experience. He’s also learning about Impressionist art and has a growing interest in physics and science. But of course it is music that really floats his boat. “Music is something that I love, it has given me my life-long passion. I like that it is rich in history and has great diversity in style, culture and creative imperative. It expresses human experience in all its emotional, intellectual and cultural manifestations. It’s great for children’s learning – research has shown it improves their language and maths skills as well as their ability to listen and empathise. It is awesome!”

James’ involvement in music started at age 15. “My father got into Led Zeppelin after my uncle Chris played him the Led Zep 2 album. I was just a kid but I fell in love with the sound of electric guitar. I remember listening to Jimmy Page’s Stairway to Heaven solo on The Song Remains The Same and the impression it made on me. It was as if human emotions were being articulated in a much more direct and honest way.

“I never considered playing myself though until I met and became friends with a dude who knew some songs and strum patterns. After that I was hooked. I played for hours trying to learn from the recordings of my favourite artists. I’d go to see my favourite West Auckland band Blue Network and try to pick things up by watching their guitarist Mark Peterson, and others as well. After a while I got a call to join a local band called Dry Ice. We played around halls and pubs in the late ’80s doing a raw version of punk and hard rock covers.”

Then came The Peter Thornley Experience. “We were a more focused outfit and I began to write songs – this is how my interest in writing began to develop. Unfortunately we split up before we should have and nothing came of it. I continued to play in bands and duos but I never had another opportunity to write in a band like I did in the Thornleys. Thus began my slow transition to solo performer.”

James says his main musical influences on guitar are Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Johnson. “But I’ve found myself in the last 10 years playing much more acoustic music and I’ve found this interesting. So I started adapting my playing style to suit solo playing and then went to open mic nights to try things out. After a couple of years I was comfortable enough to try solo gigs and so here I am. Now I am really enjoying my solo gigs. I love playing on my own, it is so freeing. I can play what I want and since my taste is varied this allows me to indulge it a little. I get a feeling of satisfaction at being able to play my own compositions, as well as my favourite covers.”

The break up of The Peter Thornley Experience also kick-started a teaching career for James, beginning about 25 years ago at Dennis Doherty Music in Avondale. “It was a way to pay the bills. But more than that, I’ve found out over the years how teaching guitar is a great way to share something which I really believe to be good”.

James has also worked as a session musician but prefers to focus on his own thing for the moment. “When I turned 50 I realised that I have all this music that I’ve written over 32 years, and I’m currently working on recording it all. Developing my inner voice has taken time. When I am teaching I suggest to students that a good way to get started with writing music is first to sing. It’s not important if their voice doesn’t set the world on fire, but what singing does is strengthen their inner voice. In a nut shell, it’s about humming and listening. For me ideas usually come when I put my guitar down and listen to what’s in my head. I listen to my head rather than my fingers more often now and I’m finding that my more satisfying songs are done by trying as much as possible to distil a musical idea that is quite specific. I’m learning about my own perceptions musically and about my strengths and limitations. Recording and hearing my music has been and continues to be a great experience – and it makes it seem real, which is a good thing! My plan is to finish home recording my songs, choose my favourite 10 and for the first time in my life go into a studio and record them professionally”.

Born and bred in West Auckland, James now teaches students aged from 10 to 80 years old from his office in New Lynn. You can catch him playing at The Base café in Titirangi every Friday from noon til 2pm, at Kiwi Valley on Saturdays from noon til 4pm and at the Titirangi RSA (check website for dates). You can check him out on YouTube and he’s also available for private gigs and functions – contact him at james. fromont@gmail.com or 021-268-2615.

>> Life should always be an adventure ... Continued from page 6 “We went rock climbing, swimming and then had a barbecue,” says Trish. “It was a lot of fun, but sad too. Now it’s time to look after ourselves but no-one can take great memories away, and we’ll always have those.”

Bronwyn says it was quite emotional closing the door to the scout hall that last time but, with her never-quit attitude, pointed out the group could be recreated if new leaders and volunteers are interested. Call 0800 SCOUTS or contact Tracy Hallett on 838 2237 or email azl. moanarua@zone.scouts.nz

The New Lynn Sea Scout group caters for boys and girls aged 5 – 19 years. If you want a slice of the summer action on the water, or to go camping and explore our adventure playground contact Andrew Stevens on 027 6939 756, email 72andrewstevens@gmail.com or visit www.newlynn.seascouts.org.nz.

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