James Touzel is a freelance clarinetist and bassist in San Francisco, CA. Before moving to the Bay Area, he held the Bass Clarinet Chair in the Augusta (GA) Symphony Orchestra and the 2nd/Eb Clarinet position with the Long Bay (Myrtle Beach, SC) Symphony. Additionally, he has played with the Wilmington (NC) Symphony and the Aspen Festival Orchestra. James has played for such conductors as David Zinman, James Dupriest, Julias Ruduel, Micheal Stern, and Damin Gupton. He has participated in the Aspen Music Festival. Originally from Georgetown, SC, James completed his Bachelor of Music in Clarinet at the University of South Carolina where he studied clarinet with Doug Graham. Other clarinet teachers have included Gloria Campione, Dennis Smylie, Mark Brandon, Carey Bell and Ted Gurch.  Currently, he studies with Jerome Simas.
    In addition to his interest in classical music, James is currently exploring many other styles of music such as jazz, blues, soul, rock, reggae, hip hop, country, bluegrass, Klezmer, funk, and latin. He has performed live with noted groups such as The Stylistics, Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, Danielle Howle, The Earl Brothers, Jackie Gore, and The Tams. While at USC, James studied Jazz Bass with Jim Mings and Jazz with Bert Ligon. He has studied Upright Bass with Ken Miller, Craig Butterfeild, Djordje Stijepovic and Reggie Sullivan. As well as freelancing on electric and upright bass, James is also comfortable on the saxophone and flute, acting as a woodwind specialist for many musical theatre pits and jazz big bands. 
     James also enjoys spending time with his cat, Drusilla. Additionally, he enjoys professional baseball, college sports, world cup soccer, surfing, food, maps, tea, biking, swimming, reading, movies, and snakes.