Unsigned Halesowen act James Sayer talks about his career so far

Just ask James Sayer. Like countless musicians up and down the country he started with a dream. To be a world-renowned artist.

He's got talent in his piano-playing fingertips. It has led to being noticed by the likes of Sir Tom Jones, Mumford & Sons' producer Matt Lawrence and The Doobie Brothers' Michael McDonald.

But all that means nothing if you haven't got the work ethic to back it up. Just ask footballer Ravel Morrison or rugby union's Danny Cipriani.

That's why James put faith in himself and his music by upping sticks from Halesowen and taking himself down to the Big Smoke to chase that dream.

"I've been lucky in London," said the 29-year-old former Windsor High School and King Edward VI College in Stourbridge pupil. "I work most nights. It's still pretty tough, but I get to go all around the world and it has been amazing."

He is a full-time musician. He can count recording sessions, gigs, private parties and functions, touring band slots and being one of the resident piano players at the capital's swanky Savoy Hotel among his income streams. It is a nomadic lifestyle, and one that is not aligned to plentiful sleep.

"I'm unsigned so I pump everything in to supporting myself," he added. "It means you've got to want it really bad. It was tough at first, but now I am lucky enough to live in a nicer area in north London.

"I am lucky enough to work full-time and all that money goes on rent or recording my own music. I was doing a private party last night for example and I didn't get back until 4.30 this morning. But it's rewarding and a great feeling, I am doing what I want and it makes it easier."

Unfortunately for James, success in London does mean that he is less often coming home to see his friends and his family. But despite living among the bright lights he hasn't forgotten his roots. When he does get the chance to play here he does, and he has a show lined up at Jools Holland's Jam House in Birmingham on Thursday, February 8.

"It's nice to be able to play there," he admits. "I try and get back every six weeks or so now but it's not always possible. Hopefully all my family and friends will be piling in and it will be good to see them."

Fusing elements of blues, folk and rock in his music, playing such venues inevitably leads to comparisons with Jools himself. But that's not something James minds.

"I've been compared to him and that's fine because I love him," he laughs. "I haven't been able to meet him yet but a couple of his musicians have played with me before and said they enjoyed it.

"I also love Van Morrison and obviously Elton John as a piano player. I also love Billy Joel's timeless music and the old soul of Ray Charles. There's also Michael McDonald from the band The Doobie Brothers. I've got to know him and he is in my opinion the greatest singer ever."

That's quite a claim, especially as another of the vocal greats spotted him playing at The Savoy and asked for his details.

One night a certain Welsh maestro Sir Tom Jones walked in after filming in the capital. After a while one of his entourage approached James and said he enjoyed what he was hearing.

"He asked for my number and said Sir Tom liked my playing style and wanted to know more about me. We exchanged details and I am hoping we can get some work done together in the near future."

Hopefully that might lead to some more international work for James, who already has quite a bit under his belt.

He was previously spotted by American group Ruen Brothers and played with them in 2015 at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Norwich as well as huge American festivals Austin City Limits in Texas and Coachella, in Indio, California.

He has also had some successful shows across further south in Brazil, where they 'love their blues and metal', while also getting plenty of airplay in Holland.

"It's been a real journey and something I am enjoying," he adds. And looking forward, he said: "I would one day love to sell out Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London and do so by playing the style of music that I love.

"That is still achievable and I am being realistic about my aims. There are so many talented musicians down here and I am not being too unreasonable. I also still love my blues and soul but realise there's not much room in the mainstream for that at the moment.

"I'd love to be out there selling out bigger venues, that is the end goal. To be as big as I can possibly be."

And the next leg of James' journey will launch in the second week of January 2018. He has a new single out, he is just waiting on the mixes to come back to him. Called Givin' It All For Free it will be available on all the major streaming services like Spotify, Deezer and YouTube.

James can also easily be found online to hear his material and follow his updates. He can be followed on Twitter @JamesSayerMusic or on his website at www.jamessayermusic.com/ or his Soundcloud channel at https://soundcloud.com/jamessayermusic

By Leigh Sanders