Joe began playing guitar at the tender age of six, playing primarily in various local rock groups throughout his teens before branching into other styles including folk and classical.
In 2019 he graduated from the London College of Music with a First Class degree in classical composition, where upon graduating he auditioned for the legendary rock group Jethro Tull and was successful, officially becoming their guitarist in 2020.
Joe toured the world with Tull for the next 4 years (after a Covid false start) including three American tours, trips to the Middle East and shows just about everywhere in Europe.
He also recorded two albums with the band, playing on a track on the 'Zealot Gene' album (2022) and all tracks on 'RokFlote' (2023).
Joe made the decision to leave Tull in 2024 in order to have more time for his own folk rock band Albion that he had formed in 2019.
Albion's debut album 'Lakesongs of Elbid' was released in 2024 to critical acclaim.
Joe continues to play shows with Albion whilst working on their sophomore effort alongside his work as a session guitarist and tutor.
Joe spends as much (if not more) time writing and arranging music as he does playing the guitar. He has written for an array of groups including contemporary bands as well as traditional ensembles such as string quartets, string octet, SATB choir, chamber orchestra and symphony orchestra.
He also arranges many classical works of different eras for both electric and acoustic guitar to feature on his Youtube channel, including Holst's The Planets Suite (Mars, Venus, Jupiter and Uranus), Stravinsky's Rite of Spring (in full), Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 2 (Mvt. 1), Saint-Saens' Danse Macabre, Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain, Spem in alium by Thomas Tallis, Capriol Suite by Peter Warlock (in full) and many others.
All of Joe's classical arrangements can be found here - https://www.youtube.com/@JoeParrish
Joe also writes and arranges all of the original music for his band Albion which can be heard here - https://www.youtube.com/@albionofficialuk
'He's a young man in his late 20s, but he plays with skill, precision, and knowledge some guitarists never gain in a lifetime'
'The best tracks on the [Rokflote] album... all feature new guitarist Joe Parrish-James. Throughout, he delivers tasty guitar leads over sturdy musical foundations...'
‘What Joe Parrish-James does with Albion is in my (maybe not so) humble opinion nothing more than sensational’.
'I have to admit the addition of Joe Parrish-James has worked tremendously here. His lead playing in particular is very tasteful.'
'Remarkable'
'...music that will not only take your breath away but your heart and mind too...'
'This is awesome!'
'Joe walked me through so much on the guitar but also music theory which helped with the former, his knowledge of both is vast'
'I know if I ask Joe to send recorded guitar parts I can rely on a level of quality that means less work for me!'
'Joe sets very high standards for himself – consistently night after night on tour and in the studio. Seriously professional, but always fun to work with.'
