While James Sherlock has performed, toured, recorded and collaborated with a wide range of acclaimed Australian and International artists throughout his career, the guitar trio format has remained at the heart of his musical identity for more than two decades. Currently featuring outstanding bassist Ben Hanlon alongside the masterful Danny Fischer on drums, this trio has been the backbone of James' performance output and is a mainstay of the Australian jazz scene.

James Sherlock and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) double bassist Ben Hanlon began playing in a duo format in 2017 bringing together two storied careers in improvising and classical music. Their duo is focused on the potential of arranging orchestral works for extended improvising and they have released two albums, “Duo” & “Stravinsky”.

James has been a member of the Jake Mason Trio since its formation in 2017 alongside longtime collaborator Danny Fischer (Drums) and Jake Mason (Hammond Organ). Together, the Jake Mason Trio blend classic organ-groove tradition with a modern edge - music that moves from simmering soul to cinematic jazz with warmth, grit and joy and cementing their place as one of Australia’s most vital contemporary jazz outfits. They have released two albums, “Stranger in the Mirror” which was nominated for Best Jazz Album 2018 Aria Awards and “The Modern Ark” featuring Kurt Elling and Kate Ceberano.

Archtop jazz guitar stalwarts Doug de Vries and James Sherlock came together for a one-off performance in duo format for the Melbourne Conservatorium’s 2025 Guitar Festival. They presented a mix of classic and contemporary standards along with original compositions. Their strong chemistry and shared musical experience made the collaboration so worthwhile that the duo has become an important ongoing project for both James and Doug.

Two of the most highly regarded musicians in Australian jazz – Kristin Berardi (voice) and James Sherlock have been making music together since 2004. Their unique and honest collaboration makes them sought after internationally. The duo have featured as part of Sapporo City Jazz Festival, Java Jazz Festival, Teatro General San Martin in Buenos Aires and all of the main festivals and clubs in Australia. They supported Al Jarreau and George Benson at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in 2007 and completed a successful European tour in Switzerland and Germany that year. Together, they have released four albums with their 2010 duo release “If You Were There” and 2015 quartet release, “Where or When” winning the National Jazz Bell Awards for Best Voice Album. They look forward to digitally releasing their fourth album, “I’m Glad There Is You” very soon.

James Sherlock and Sam Lemann have been playing together for thirty years, coming together whenever and wherever there is an opportunity to perform their swinging “Big Band for Two” arrangements and improvisations. 2026 saw them begin recording their debut album at Pughouse Studios in Melbourne. They look forward to releasing this soon.

James Sherlock and Lillian Albazi are Naarm-based improvisers with distinguished careers spanning jazz, classical and experimental music. Internationally acclaimed vocalist‑composer Albazi and award‑winning guitarist Sherlock create music of striking intimacy, weaving jazz standards and original works into a rich, improvisational dialogue. Though the Sherlock Albazi collaboration is a relatively new project, the pair have already toured extensively performing at 03 Sessions and The Granity Theatre in Aotearoa as well as at leading jazz venues across Australia including The Citadel, Brisbane Jazz Club, Found Sound Improvisers Collective, Boroondara Arts, Devonport Jazz Festival and Jazz Music Institute alongside Ben Hanlon (Melbourne Symphony Orchestra), Holly Moore (Namboku Records/Australian Art Orchestra), Fran Swinn (Australian Art Orchestra), James Sandon (Queensland Conservatorium), Dave Sanders, Michael Story (Christchurch Symphony Orchestra) and Thierry Fossemalle.