James Mirza was a regular performer in the Sydney international music scene by the early age of 15. After playing in local bands and performing regularly at private functions throughout his teenage years, James went on to join the international Armenian band ARAX in 1994 - a band he would ultimately stay with for 13 years. The band was known to play the music of 12 different cultures and performed in front of crowds of up to 10,000. In 1999 the band released the album "Made In Armenia" which was then nominated in the 2000 Armenian Music Awards in Los Angeles for Best Upcoming Dance Album and Best Newcomer. Over the years, James has had the opportunity to work with many local and international artists from Europe and America including stars such as Assyrian Singers Evin Agassi and Ogin Betsamo, Armenian singers Joseph Krikorian and Adiss and Persian Legends Shadmehr Aghili, EBI and Bijan Mortazavi. James also works closely with numerous recording studios, laying drum / percussion tracks for various international artists. In between bands and session work James teaches beginners-advanced drums in his private studio. James is currently freelancing with local bands and gigging nationally and internationally.
BANDS
CDARZ ENTERTAINMENT
(Corporate Entertainment)
2016 - Present
JAMELIQ BAND
(World Music)
2015 - Present
ZAFFET LEBNEN
(Corporate Entertainment)
2015 - 2017
JD ENTERTAINMENT
(Corporate Entertainment)
2012 - Present
MONANNLISA WILDE
(Originals Band)
2010 - 2012
TARISAI VUSHE
(Australian Idol Contestant)
2009 - 2010
CELEBRATION MIX
(Cover Band)
2005 - 2008
NIDA
(Turkish Rock Band)
2004 - 2009
SANTANA TRIBUTE BAND
(Tribute Band)
2000 - 2003
ARAX
(International Armenian Band)
1995 - 2008
CDARZ ENTERTAINMENT
(Corporate Entertainment)
2016 - Present
JAMELIQ BAND
(World Music)
2015 - Present
ZAFFET LEBNEN
(Corporate Entertainment)
2015 - 2017
JD ENTERTAINMENT
(Corporate Entertainment)
2012 - Present
MONANNLISA WILDE
(Originals Band)
2010 - 2012
TARISAI VUSHE
(Australian Idol Contestant)
2009 - 2010
CELEBRATION MIX
(Cover Band)
2005 - 2008
NIDA
(Turkish Rock Band)
2004 - 2009
SANTANA TRIBUTE BAND
(Tribute Band)
2000 - 2003
ARAX
(International Armenian Band)
1995 - 2008
CD CONTRIBUTIONS / ALBUM CREDITS / SESSION WORK
ASSYRIAN ALBUMS
Charles Tooma – Dla Diyakh
PLD Recording Studio – 2010
Ninos David – The Beginning
PLD Recording Studio – 2006
Edmond David – Aynati
PLD Recording Studio – 2005
Ninos David – Ana Yan Aten
PLD Recording Studio – 2004
George Homeh – Snonita
Fantasy Recording Studio – 2001
ARMENIAN ALBUMS
ARAX – Made In Armenia
HM Studios - 1999
STUDIO CREDITS
Go-To Recording Studio
Studio Engineer: George Fahd
In-House Drummer – 2010 to 2012
PLD Recording Studio
Studio Engineer: Sam Daniel
In-House Drummer – 2001 to 2010
ASSYRIAN ALBUMS
Charles Tooma – Dla Diyakh
PLD Recording Studio – 2010
Ninos David – The Beginning
PLD Recording Studio – 2006
Edmond David – Aynati
PLD Recording Studio – 2005
Ninos David – Ana Yan Aten
PLD Recording Studio – 2004
George Homeh – Snonita
Fantasy Recording Studio – 2001
ARMENIAN ALBUMS
ARAX – Made In Armenia
HM Studios - 1999
STUDIO CREDITS
Go-To Recording Studio
Studio Engineer: George Fahd
In-House Drummer – 2010 to 2012
PLD Recording Studio
Studio Engineer: Sam Daniel
In-House Drummer – 2001 to 2010
EDUCATION / DRUM COURSES / CLINICS / MASTER CLASSES
PETE DRUMMOND (Australian)
2010 – 2-Day Master Class
Double bass drum technique, endurance practice, linear and layered coordination
VIRGIL DONATI (Australian)
“Assault Down Under” – 2010 – Clinic
Power, endurance and speed
DAVID JONES (Australian)
2009 – Advanced Clinic
Drum improvisation, paradiddles, exploring double pedals, odd times, syncopated phrases
DENNIS CHAMBERS (American)
2006 – Advanced Clinic
Groove, drum solos, rudiments, speed, endurance, playing in different music styles
TERRY BOZZIO (American)
2005 – Advanced Master Class
Drum orchestration, musical arrangements, tuning
DAVE WECKL (American)
2003 – Advanced Clinic
Dexterity practice, advanced coordination technique, voicing on drum set
DARRYN FARRUGIA (Australian)
“Headspace” – 2001 – Advanced Clinic
Playing concepts, technique, bass drum control, balance, timing, rudiments
TONY ANDERSON (Australian)
“Rhythm Workshop” – 2000 - Advanced Clinic
Latin style grooves
PETE DRUMMOND (Australian)
2010 – 2-Day Master Class
Double bass drum technique, endurance practice, linear and layered coordination
VIRGIL DONATI (Australian)
“Assault Down Under” – 2010 – Clinic
Power, endurance and speed
DAVID JONES (Australian)
2009 – Advanced Clinic
Drum improvisation, paradiddles, exploring double pedals, odd times, syncopated phrases
DENNIS CHAMBERS (American)
2006 – Advanced Clinic
Groove, drum solos, rudiments, speed, endurance, playing in different music styles
TERRY BOZZIO (American)
2005 – Advanced Master Class
Drum orchestration, musical arrangements, tuning
DAVE WECKL (American)
2003 – Advanced Clinic
Dexterity practice, advanced coordination technique, voicing on drum set
DARRYN FARRUGIA (Australian)
“Headspace” – 2001 – Advanced Clinic
Playing concepts, technique, bass drum control, balance, timing, rudiments
TONY ANDERSON (Australian)
“Rhythm Workshop” – 2000 - Advanced Clinic
Latin style grooves