Biography


James P. Nichols

 

His involvement in the recording industry began in 1973 when after studying recording at The New School For Social Research, he obtained an Assistant Engineer position at A1 Studios in New York, where he worked for two years under Herb Abramson, one of the founders of Atlantic Records. He then moved on in 1975, to Sound Mixers, which was primarily a jingle studio recording Burger King and Volkswagen 30 second spots in the day and dance records at night. He then worked for Electric Lady Studios where most notably he assisted, engineered, and performed with The Clash on the “Sandanista” album. He continued his education enrolling at New York Technical College studying Electronics for Communications, Prototype Fabrications and Microprocessors.

 

After graduation, he rekindled old associations in the industry and landed a job at A&R Studios home of Phil Ramone in 1980. Encouraged to record, one of his “Weekend Album Projects” was the first Boogie Down Productions LP on B Boy Records with Scott La Roche and KRS One. The single “The Bridge is Over” remains par for Rap Hip-Hop's historical course.

 

A&R Studios is also where he gained his first experiences in music/film lockup. In 1982 we went to work as a systems prototype fabricator with TimeLine Inc. headed by Jerry Block, formerly studio head for Sigma Sound Studios in New York. There he built the first working prototype and proceeding first line of The Lynx Time Code Module, a staple device in studios worldwide.

 

Because of his experience with the Lynx, RCA Recording Studios hired him in 1984. The studios, whose history was in Broadway cast recordings, wanted to become a presence in large-scale orchestra film scoring in New York. RCA Recording soon became the major scoring stage on the east coast and he was promoted to Master Engineer and then started working as Scoring Engineer, Recording Engineer, and Mastering Engineer for Jazz, Broadway, and Classical products.

 

In 1996, after a previous three nominations, he won a Grammy Award for “Best Historical Recording” of “The Complete Jasha Heifitz Collection”. Also in 1996 he moved on to Manhattan Center Studios, New York, as a Producer/Engineer. He completed several projects including “Ed Wood” starring Johnny Depp and “Butcher Boy” featuring the music of critically acclaimed composer Elliott Goldenthal, as well as The Pat McGuire Band for Inverin Records.

 

Again in 1997 he received a Producer Grammy nomination for the Broadway hit “Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk” for RCA Victor.

 

Currently he heads an organization founded by himself entitled “Commercial Free Jazz”, whose function as an institution is to support and provide a platform for experimentation in recording and helping artists worldwide realize the potential of their work.

 

 

 
His discography is as follows:   *Partial Archive

 

Marian Anderson 

He's Got the Whole World in His... (1994)

Engineer 

Wessell Anderson 

Ways of Warmdaddy (1995)

Mixing 

Louis Armstrong 

What a Wonderful World [RCA] (1970)

Digital Mastering 

Louis Armstrong 

Falling In Love With Louis... (2000)

Mastering 

Gary Bartz 

Blues Chronicles: Tales of Life (1996)

Engineer, Mastering, Mixing 

George Benson 

20/20 (1984)

Assistant Engineer 

Harolyn Blackwell 

Blackwell Sings Bernstein, a... (1996)

Engineer 

Terence Blanchard 

Malcolm X Jazz Suite (1992)

Engineer 

Terence Blanchard 

Billie Holiday Songbook (1993)

Engineer 

Terence Blanchard 

Romantic Defiance (1994)

Engineer 

Terence Blanchard 

Clockers: Original Orchestral... (1995)

Engineer 

Terence Blanchard 

Heart Speaks (1995)

Engineer, Mixing 

Don Braden 

Voice of the Saxophone (1997)

Mastering, Mixing 

Teresa Brewer 

Memories of Louis (1991)

Engineer 

Dave Brubeck 

In Their Own Sweet Way (1994)

Editing 

Will Calhoun Quintet 

Live at the Blue Note (2000)

Editing 

Terry Callier 

Timepeace (1998)

Mastering, Mixing 

Terry Callier 

LifeTime (1999)

Mastering, Mixing 

Benny Carter 

Harlem Renaissance (1992)

Engineer 

Benny Carter 

Legends (1992)

Engineer 

Bill Cosby 

Hello, Friend: To Ennis with Love (1997)

Engineer, Mastering, Mixing 

Damn Yankees 

Damn Yankees (1990)

Engineer 

Kenny Davern 

I'll See You in My Dreams (1988)

Engineer 

Kenny Davern 

One Hour Tonight (1988)

Engineer 

Skeeter Davis 

Essential Skeeter Davis (1996)

Digital Transfers 

John Denver 

Forever John (1998)

Mixing 

John Denver 

Portrait (1999)

Mixing 

Paul Desmond 

Falling In Love With Paul Desmond (2000)

Mastering 

Manu Dibango 

Gone Clear (1980)

Assistant Engineer 

Manu Dibango 

Ambassador (1981)

Assistant Engineer 

Dominique Eade 

My Resistance is Low (1994)

Engineer 

Linda Eder 

Linda Eder (1991)

Engineer 

Linda Eder 

It's No Secret Anymore (1999)

Engineer 

Linda Eder 

Christmas Stays the Same (2000)

Engineer, Mixing Engineer 

Duke Ellington 

Far East Suite (1966)

Digital Remastering, Audio Enhancement, Digital Remixing 

Duke Ellington 

Falling In Love With Duke... (2000)

Mastering 

Pete Fountain 

High Society (1992)

Engineer 

Aretha Franklin 

Love All the Hurt Away (1981)

Mastering 

Aretha Franklin 

Jump to It (1982)

Mastering 

Aretha Franklin 

Get It Right (1983)

Mastering 

Nnenna Freelon 

Nnenna Freelon (1992)

Engineer, Mastering, Mixing 

Gavin Friday 

Boxer (1998)

Engineer, Mixing 

James Galway 

Wind Beneath My Wings (1991)

Engineer, Mixing 

Kenny Garrett 

African Exchange Student (1990)

Engineer, Mixing 

Djivan Gasparyan 

Ask Me No Questions (1994)

Mastering 

Dizzy Gillespie 

Complete RCA Victor Recordings... (1937)

Audio Restoration, Digital Transfers, Remastering 

Dizzy Gillespie 

Dizzier and Dizzier (1947)

Audio Restoration, Digital Transfers, Remastering 

Benny Goodman 

Falling In Love With Benny Goodman (2000)

Mastering, Reissue Engineer 

Morton Gould 

Musical Christmas Tree

Remastering 

Jerry Hadley 

Standing Room Only (1992)

Engineer 

Jerry Hadley 

In the Real World (1994)

Engineer 

Jim Hall 

Subsequently (1991)

Engineer 

Roy Hargrove 

Diamond in the Rough (1989)

Engineer 

Roy Hargrove 

Vibe (1992)

Engineer, Mastering, Mixing 

Antonio Hart 

Don't You Know I Care (1992)

Engineer, Mastering 

Antonio Hart 

For Cannonball & Woody (1993)

Engineer, Mastering, Mixing 

Antonio Hart 

Here I Stand (1997)

Mixing 

Antonio Hart 

Collected Antonio Hart (1998)

Engineer 

Jimmy Heath 

Little Man, Big Band (1992)

Engineer, Mastering, Mixing 

Vincent Herring 

American Experience (1986)

Engineer 

Bernard Herrmann 

Taxi Driver [1998] (1998)

Remixing 

John Hicks 

Friends Old and New (1992)

Mastering 

Al Hirt 

Our Man in New Orleans [Special... (1962)

Digital Remastering 

Freddie Hubbard 

Live at Fat Tuesday (1991)

Mastering 

Howard Johnson 

Gravity!!! (1995)

Engineer, Mastering, Mixing 

Howard Johnson & Gravity 

Right Now (1998)

Engineer, Mixing 

Marcus "Benjy" Johnson 

Chocolate City Groovin' (1998)

Mixing Assistant 

Joyce 

Language & Love (1991)

Mastering 

Evelyn Champagne King 

Get Loose (1982)

Digital Remastering 

Mario Lanza 

Legendary Tenor

Engineer 

Russell Malone 

Russell Malone (1991)

Mastering 

Wynton Marsalis 

Original Soundtrack from "Tune in... (1989)

Assistant Engineer 

Glenn Miller & His... 

Spirit is Willing (1938)

Audio Restoration, Digital Remastering 

Glenn Miller 

Falling In Love With Glenn Miller (2000)

Mastering 

Mulgrew Miller 

Hand In Hand (1992)

Engineer, Mastering, Mixing 

Mulgrew Miller 

With Our Own Eyes (1993)

Engineer, Editing, Mastering 

Mulgrew Miller 

Getting to Know You (1995)

Engineer, Mastering, Mixing 

New York City Opera... 

Broadway's Best (1993)

Engineer 

Oracle 

Pool of Dreams (1998)

Mastering 

Nicholas Payton 

Gumbo Nouveau (1995)

Engineer, Mastering, Mixing 

Peter Paul & Mary 

Holiday Celebration (1988)

Assistant Engineer 

John Pizzarelli 

All of Me (1991)

Engineer, Mixing 

Elvis Presley 

Frankie & Johnny/Paradise,... (1993)

Remixing 

Elvis Presley 

Heart and Soul (1995)

Mixing 

Elvis Presley 

Essential Elvis, Vol. 4: A Hundred (1996)

Mixing 

Elvis Presley 

Platinum: A Life in Music (1997)

Engineer, Mastering 

Elvis Presley 

Love Songs [RCA] (1998)

Mastering 

Elvis Presley 

Touch of Platinum (1998)

Engineer, Mastering 

Elvis Presley 

Touch of Platinum, Vol. 2 (1998)

Engineer, Mastering 

Buddy Rich 

Stick It (1972)

Reissue Producer 

Jerome Richardson 

Jazz Station Runaway (1996)

Engineer 

Sonny Rollins & Company 

Sonny Rollins & Co. 1964 (1964)

Digital Remastering, Audio Enhancement 

Stephen Scott 

Something to Consider (1991)

Engineer, Mastering 

Scott Stephen Trio 

Renaissance (1994)

Engineer, Mixing 

Stephen Scott 

Beautiful Thing (1996)

Mastering, Mixing 

Charlie Sepulveda 

Algo Nuestro [Our Thing] (1992)

Engineer, Mastering, Mixing 

Travis Shook 

Travis Shook (1993)

Engineer, Mastering, Mixing 

Carly Simon 

This Is My Life (1992)

Engineer 

Nina Simone 

Essential Nina Simone (1967)

Transfers 

Nina Simone 

Essential Nina Simone, Vol. 2 (1967)

Remixing 

Frank Sinatra & Tommy... 

Falling In Love With Frank Sinatra (2000)

Mastering 

Muggsy Spanier 

Ragtime Band Sessions (1995)

Audio Restoration, Digital Transfers, Digital Remastering 

Rick Springfield 

VH-1 Behind the Music: The Rick... (2000)

Mixing 

Richard Stoltzman w/ Woody 

Ebony (1991)

Associate Producer, Assistant Producer 

Barbra Streisand 

Funny Lady (1975)

Digital Transfers 

Tough Young Tenors 

Alone Together (1991)

Engineer 

Stanley Turrentine 

More than a Mood (1992)

Mastering 

Bobby Watson 

Midwest Shuffle (1993)

Engineer, Mixing 

George Wein & The Newport... 

Swing That Music (1993)

Engineer 

Mark Whitfield 

Forever Love (1997)

Engineer, Mixing 

The Jack Wilkins Trio 

Alien Army (1990)

Engineer 

1992 Broadway Revival Cast 

Guys and Dolls [1992 Broadway... (1992)

Engineer 

1994 Original Broadway... 

Damn Yankees (1994)

Engineer 

Broadway Cast Recording 

Grand Hotel, The Musical (1992)

Engineer 

New Broadway Cast... 

Kiss of the Spider Woman [New... (1995)

Engineer 

New Broadway Cast... 

How to Succeed in Business without (1995)

Engineer 

New Broadway Cast... 

Candide [New Broadway Cast... (1997)

Engineer 

Original 1990 Cast... 

Gypsy [Original 1990 Cast] (1990)

Assistant Engineer 

Original Broadway Cast... 

Jerome Robbins' Broadway (1989)

Engineer 

Original Broadway Cast... 

Crazy for You [Original Broadway... (1992)

Engineer 

Original Broadway Cast 

Phantom: The American Musical... (1993)

Engineer 

Original Broadway Cast... 

Jekyll & Hyde [Original Broadway... (1997)

Engineer, Mastering, Mixing 

Original Broadway Cast... 

Cabaret [1998 Original Broadway... (1998)

Engineer 

Original Cast 

Bring in 'da Noise Bring in 'da... (1996)

Producer, Engineer 

Original Cast Recording 

Closer Than Ever [Original Cast] (1990)

Engineer 

Original Cast Recording 

Assassins [Original Cast... (1991)

Engineer 

Original Cast Recording 

My Favorite Year (1993)

Engineer 

Original Cast Recording 

Phantom [RCA Original Cast] (1993)

Engineer 

Original Cast Recording 

Ragtime [Original Cast Recording - (1996)

Engineer 

Original Cast Recording 

Chicago [RCA] (1997)

Engineer 

Original Cast Recording 

Once upon a Mattress [1997] (1997)

Engineer 

Original Cast Recording 

Rex [Original Cast] (1997)

Remastering 

Original Cast Recording 

Golden Apple [Original Cast] (1997)

Remastering 

Original Cast Recording 

Goodtime Charlie [Original Cast] (1997)

Remastering 

Original Score 

Do the Right Thing [Score] (1988)

Assistant Engineer 

Original Score 

Malcolm X (1992)

Engineer 

Original Soundtrack 

Once on This Island [RCA] (1990)

Engineer 

Original Soundtrack 

Billy Bathgate (1991)

Engineer 

Original Soundtrack 

Jelly's Last Jam (1992)

Engineer 

Original Soundtrack 

Juice [Original Soundtrack] (1992)

Engineer 

Original Soundtrack 

Englishman Who Went up a Hill But... (1995)

Engineer 

Original Soundtrack 

Tom & Huck (1995)

Engineer, Mixing 

Original Soundtrack 

Butcher Boy (1998)

Engineer 

Original Soundtrack 

Red Violin (1999)

Engineer 

Stephen Collins 

Sondheim: Putting It Together... (1993)

Engineer 

The Most Happy Fella 

Most Happy Fella (1992)

Engineer 

Various Artists 

Merry Jazzmas (1991)

Engineer 

Various Artists 

Jazz for Joy (1996)

Mixing 

Various Artists 

Carnival: Rainforest Foundation... (1997)

Producer 

Various Artists 

Jazz of the 1950's (1997)

Engineer 

Various Artists 

Jazz of the 1960's (1997)

Engineer 

Various Artists 

Saxophone Anthology (1998)

Digital Remixing 

Various Artists 

Civil War: The Complete Work (1999)

Engineer, Mixing 

Various Artists 

My Favorite Broadway: The Leading... (1999)

Engineer 

Various Artists 

Scarlet Pimpernel: Encore (1999)

Mastering 

Various Artists 

RCA Records Label: The First Note...

Engineer