Our Story

James Forbes Bio:

Born Jacksonville, Florida

Multi Grammy Nominated Engineer


 
Son of famed sportswriter Gordon Forbes (USA Today, Philadelphia Inquirer, Sports Illustrated, NFL Pro Football Hall Of Fame) the family moved north to the Southern New Jersey/Philadelphia area when I was young and that is where I spent most of my youth. I was drawn into music at an early age, I remember hearing Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd for the first time and being blown away with the sonics of the music along with the amazing songs and players.
I started playing guitar in my early teens but was fascinated with how records were produced, engineered and mixed. This world was opened up to me when I had the chance to study audio production in the early 80’s under engineer/producer Joe Alexander (Dream Theatre, Vinnie Moore, Patti Labelle, Vanessa Williams, Teddy Pendergrass) at the legendary Kajem Studios in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania. Over the years I have grow to appreciate all styles of music and learned various production techniques and studio work ethic from the best in the business. Being a great music engineer involves growth and dedication to the art of music production.
 Since this time James has logged over 35+ years in professional recording studios and has worked with artists on Warner Brothers, Epic Records, Metal Blade, Universal Records, Roadrunner, Sony Music, TVT, Sensory Records and Arista Records, The Sound Of LA, Pure Steel Records Germany among others.  James is an ASCAP member and co-owner of Jacoda Music Publishing Inc with his partner Jayar Mac as well as a voting member of the Recording Academy.  James spent 7 years as an audio instructor at Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida before relocating to Tampa Bay in 2007. James taught audio production at International Academy of Design and Technology Tampa campus from 2007 till 2015 and has been focusing on his company Vortex Music Productions going forward. Currently staff engineer at Clear Tracks Studios as well as an audio instructor with Clear Tracks owner Mike Johnson who together teach audio production classes for the “Art of Sound Recording”
 
Studios where I have worked on various projects at:

Kajem Studios Gladwyne Pennsylvana
Warehouse Studios Philadelphia
Tongue and Groove  Philadelphia
Water Sound Recorders Hoboken, New Jersey
Vortex Recording Studios  Stratford, New Jersey
0X1 Sound Studios, Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Aftermaster Studios Hollywood California
O’Henry Recording Studios  Burbank California
The Hit Factory NYC
The Power Station NYC
Pyramid Sound Studios Ithica, NY
Quantum Sound Studios Jersey City,  New Jersey
Roadshow Music Studios Orlando, Florida
Phat Planet Studios Orlando, Florida
Starke Lake Studios Orlando, Florida
KDS Recording Complex Orlando, Florida
Clear Tracks Studios Tampa, Florida
LALA Mansion Studios Tampa, Florida

 
Producers and Engineers that I been blessed to work and learn from!

Shelly Yakus (John Lennon, Tom Petty, U2, Stevie Nicks, Don Henley, Blue Oyster Cult, Alice Cooper, Patti Smith, Dire Straits, Lou Reed, Bob Seger, Grand Funk Railroad and hundreds of other top level major label artists!)
Andy Wallace (Nirvana, Rush, Rage Against The Machine, Slayer, Dream Theatre)
Neil Kernon  (Judas Priest, Dokken, Elton John, Queensryche , Yes, Thin Lizzy, Queen)
Obie O’Brien (Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper, April Wine, Hans Zimmer, Rik Wakeman)
Anthony Little (Justin Timberlake, Tina Turner, Backstreet Boys, Reba McEntire)
Rob Caggiano (Anthrax, Volbeat, The Damned Things)

Gary Miller (David Bowie, Seal, Slash, Katy Perry, Santana, Journey)

Daniels M Justin Subrosa Media, Warner Brothers, Sony Music

Michael B. Sutton (Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross and the Supremes)
Fred Frank  (Chicago, Sly Stone, BT Express, Phyllis Hyman, Sunnie Paxson)
Glenn Feit (Motley Crue, Guns and Roses, WASP, Aerosmith)
Alex Perialas (Anthrax, Raven, Testament, Overkill, Bad Religion)
Chris Tsangaradies  (Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Yngwie Malmsteen, Thin Lizzy, Ozzy)
Scott Hull (Steely Dan, John Mayer, Nirvana, AC DC, Bruce Springsteen, Bowie, Aerosmith)
Bernie Kirsh (Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Return To Forever, Herbie Hancock)
Bob Katz (Ben Kinsley, Foghat, Paquito D’Rivera, Olga Tanon)
Pete Humphries (Teddy Pendergrass, Lou Rawls, Grover Washington Jr.
Phyllis Hyman)

Selected Artists and Bands I’ve worked on projects with
 

Fear Of God  Warner Brothers Records
Détente Roadracer Records
Heavens Edge Columbia Records
Cinderella Mercury Records                                                                  Psychoprism Pure Steel Records Germany
Cintron (Grammy Nominated Latin Jazz Group) Universal Records
Immolation Metal Blade Records

Rob Caggiano  (Guitarist for Anthrax/Volbeat and Producer)

Ha*Ash Sony Music
Jim Breuer  Metal Blade Records
Brian Johnson AC/DC
David Muse of Firefall
Michael B. Sutton Legendary Motown Producer/Songwriter
John Legend Sony Music Recording Artist
John Blackwell ( 6x Grammy nominated drummer for Prince)
Chick Corea  (20x Grammy Winner) Living Legend
Aneessa The Sound Of LA/Sony Music Records
Vinnie Moore
Doug South Band
Olivia Romano
Sunnie Paxson
Souliz Band
Stanley Clarke World Renowned Bassist and Producer/Multi Grammy Award Winner
Gloria West and The Gents
Siravo
Stonehead
Drivetime Sound Of LA Records (Hollywood Media Awards nominated)
Jeff Lee Johnson
Steve Green and The Elevators (featuring members from Boys II Men, Patti Labelle, Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass, Santana)
Danny Gottlieb World Renowned Jazz drummer
Vivian Green Columbia Records
Jayar Mack (Grammy Nominated Vocalist/songwriter/keyboardist) Universal Records
Lover Of The Bayou
Esque
Rhythm Freaks (featuring members of The Roots)
Zu Ninjaz (Wu Tang Clan affiliated group)
Naked Soul (featuring players from Boys II Men, Patti Labelle, Teddy Pendergrass, Lou Rawls, The Roots)