JH Backing Tracks is my ‘off the shelf’ backing track website, an ongoing project where I produce custom backing tracks for any given scenario, specialising in musical theatre. I’ve produced for various theatre companies all around the world, and have worked with many leading online backing track companies, acquiring my first professional job producing for Paris Music Ltd at the age of 15. In 2009 I launched my own backing track website, so I could take on bespoke requests directly. It’s a very time consuming process to produce a track to a high standard, and with many of my current projects going down the exclusive use route, it can be hard to find the time to build the library up, however I hope to have a very large catalogue over time, and produce as much as I can. Below are some examples of tracks I’ve created, along with some testimonials.

Phil Gallagher

I feel really blessed to have met and worked with James Harrison. He is the ultimate professional and incredibly talented! James is clever at working within budget but always delivers an amazing end product. He’s an enthusiastic, creative, positive spirit and equally impressive on stage or from his studio. The variety, depth and quality of his work is outstanding…and I would highly recommend him to anyone.

Phil Gallagher (Best known as "Mister Maker" from CBeebies)

The Curtain Theatre Reviewers

I was completely blown away by James Harrison, the musical director. He brought incredible energy to the show, engaging with the audience throughout the show in a way I have never seen before. From the moment we took our seats, he and his band led a warm-up that instantly made you feel festive and ready for the magic to begin. Watching him play whilst directing the band and moving with the music was phenomenal. He truly got into every beat, creating a joyful atmosphere. The band created a vibrant, musical heartbeat for the entire show.

The Curtain Theatre Reviewers

The Stage

The not-so-secret ingredient, however, might just be James Harrison, the happiest musical director in the land, who leads a fantastically energetic band from three of the theatre’s boxes in relentlessly upbeat and enlivening songs.

The Stage

Paul Hendy

I want to say a heartfelt thank you for all your hard work on our shows. You did an incredible job and it was a genuine pleasure collaborating with you. Your professionalism, enthusiasm, energy and dedication is astonishing. Seriously brilliant work, I think you’ve outdone yourself! I’m very proud of the shows, and I will never forget the experience. Thank you!

Paul Hendy (Producer/Director, Evolution Productions)

Gary Starr

James is without a doubt the most talented musician, composer, performer and creative mind I’ve had the pleasure to work with. He has taken the quality of our music and production to a whole new level. This is certainly the start of a beautifully creative relationship.

Gary Starr (Producer/Director, Gary Starr Creatives)

Forge Press

It’s worth highlighting the music in particular – I believe the orchestra can turn good shows into great ones, or potentially average ones. This show was no different, directed by the evidently excellent James Harrison, who was doing just as good a job as a hype man for the kids in the crowd both before and during the show as he did orchestrating the music. This telling of the beloved Aladdin certainly didn’t disappoint. 5* Show.

Forge Press

Northern Arts Review

Musical Director James Harrison gets everyone in the mood, as per usual, with his unmatched energy and enthusiasm! Never have you seen a musical director quite like Harrison before. He always ends up on the stage at some point, and his acting skills are as good as the rest. Many in the audience can be heard celebrating the fact he is back again for another year.

Northern Arts Review

Ben Muir

The Orchestration is always wonderful, the style is always perfect and the enthusiasm and professionalism is exactly what you’d expect from such a talented musician. We’ve used James on numerous occasions and now wouldn’t bother looking anywhere else for the tracks, arrangements and compositions we need. From initial contact to finished product I could not recommend him highly enough.

Ben Muir, After Dark Entertainment

Tam Ryan

Wow. This track is EPIC! Epic I say! I wanted a different arrangement of a popular song made from scratch for a new comedy routine I had in mind. James listened to the vague concept I had for the music, expanded on it and worked his magic. I ended up with an original orchestration so much better than I could have ever imagined. His work is meticulous and faultless. I wouldn’t go to anyone else. Terrific.

Tam Ryan (Comedy Actor)

Lauren Rutherford

Just listened to the entirety of the track and it is better than i could have hoped for! Thank you once again for creating such wonderfully detailed non midi sounding backing tracks! Now that I have discovered you, I shall not keep you my dirty little secret, but share you with all I know who would benefit. I’m so impressed with your quality of sound- simply outstanding!

Lauren Rutherford

Diverse Choregraphy

WHAT? You’re 18?! My word! Well done you, how enterprising of you! You should be up for some kind of young entrepreneur award! That’s not easy what you’ve just done I am totally impressed! It’s nice to know James and honestly, I may have been one of those people to pre-judge (sorry!) but honestly, thoroughly impressed, well done!

Diverse Choreography (2011)

Mindy Zwirn

We have just finished our production of Oliver, using your backing tracks entirely for rehearsals and performances. Of the 14 shows that we have done as a theater, we’ve only used backing tracks twice. The first was a lot of trouble and we have always used a live orchestra since. When we couldn’t use an orchestra for Oliver, we nearly decided to switch shows. Then we found your site and your offer. We were incredibly glad that we made the purchase and are genuinely pleased with the outcome. We were simply thrilled with the outcome. Thank you again, and we will definitely be checking back for our future shows.

Mindy Zwirn

Traxvault2

First of all, Congratulations and well done. You should feel very proud. This is a big achievement and the show sounds brilliant.

Traxvault

Traxvault1

Wow, that’s what I call a track!

Traxvault