Scottish born James Crabb is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading classical accordionists. He studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Music, Copenhagen with accordion pioneer Mogens Ellegaard and became professor there from 1995–2010. He also held a long-standing guest professorship at the University in Graz, Austria. James was awarded the Carl Nielsen Music Prize, Denmark in 1991 and critics internationally continually praise him for his breathtaking virtuosity and versatile musicianship.

In 2019 James gave the World Premiere of Brett Dean’s accordion concerto The Players in Sweden, (recorded on the BIS label); featured in Co.3 Dance company’s In Line production in Perth; play/directed Sinfonia Cymru, Wales; performed the on-stage role in Dean’s Hamlet with Cologne Opera; and gave a recital at UKARIA. This year James returns to both the Australian Chamber Music and Canberra International Music Festivals, MSO, ANAM and UKARIA. A passionate and sought-after music educator and mentor, James was Artistic Director of the Four Winds Festival in Bermagui, NSW, from 2016–2020 during which time he curated both the Easter and Youth Festivals and developed the music education programs.