James Eisner was born in Sheffield but spent his early years in New Jersey, USA, where he began piano lessons at the age of 5. It was probably during this time that he first heard the Corrie Folk Trio record 'Promise of the Day'. Later the family moved again - this time to Scotland where James heard more of the Corries. He jokingly recalls 'studying' at St Andrews University where he spent more time at the folk club, rubbing shoulders with such luminaries as the McCalmans, Ossian and the Tannahill Weavers. He also sang with the University Madrigal and Renaissance Groups and, in the 80s, became increasingly involved with the early music and classical guitar fraternities.

After St. Andrews James spent six months travelling in Israel vainly trying to collect Jewish folk music. On his return he joined the unaccompanied harmony group English Tapestry (1982-84) and began learning classical guitar with WJ Hunt. He has since studied voice under Nigel Wickens and Jeffrey Talbot and has taken part in workshops with Anthony Rooley and Emma Kirkby, Barry Mason and Glenda Simpson, and the late Robert Spencer - one of the few self-accompanied singers in the early music world. In the late 1980s James spent a considerable amount of time promoting concerts in and around Cambridge.

James has sung with various groups including Trecento, Otto Voci, The Cavalli Choir, Queen's College Choir, The Cambridge Taverner Choir and the New Cambridge Singers, and until recently directed the Orwell Singers and the London-based Czech choir 'Hlahol London'.

He teaches singing and guitar and performs in folk clubs and arts centres in Britain and the US, where his relaxed and informal presentation has endeared him to audiences of all kinds.