"Pastorali di James" is a new EP featuring four original compositions honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Edwin James (1797 - 1861). Edwin James was a 19th century Renaissance man, having achieved remarkable success as a scholar, explorer, botanist, physician, surgeon, linguist, and civil rights advocate.

The first track on "Pastorali di James" was performed on a madrone burlwood G major flute, and embodies the incredible journey undertaken by Edwin James during the Long Expedition of 1820, into the Louisiana Territory. Edwin would publish the most consequential literary work of 1823, "Account of an Expedition," which chronicled their exploration of this wild and untamed wilderness. James accomplished many feats throughout this expedition, including the collection and taxonomic description of hundreds of plant species previously unknown to Western civilization.

The next composition on the EP, "Medicine Man," was performed on a Spanish cedar B minor bass flute. Edwin James became an accomplished physician and surgeon. He served as the US Army Surgeon for the Great Lakes region from 1823 - 1833. James also established himself as the primary medical practitioner serving the Burlington, Iowa region, from 1936 until his death, in 1861. "Medicine Man" is intended to reflect James' selfless dedication to medicine and the First Nations people he served for throughout his life.

"First Fourteener" was performed on an aromatic cedar F sharp flute, is meant to convey the inspiration and emotion experienced by Edwin James, as he became the very first caucasian to scale the summit of a mountain greater than 14,000 feet in elevation, in North America. Originally named "James Peak," this mountain has since been renamed as "Pike's Peak." Subsequently, a 13,000+ feet elevation mountain, contained within the James Peak Wilderness Area of central Colorado, was named as "James Peak," in honor of Edwin James' pioneering journey into the region.

Last and by no means least, the composition "Runaway" was performed on a Spanish cedar B minor bass flute, and is dedicated to Edwin James' selfless, tireless and fearless work as a station operator for the Underground Railroad. James converted his home into a station for African American slaves fleeing the Old South by building a secret room behind his fireplace to conceal them from law enforcement authorities. Then, he transported them in his horse drawn wagon, concealing them in baskets, barrels and sacks during their arduous journey to the northern US states that had abolished slavery.

I truly hope my music did justice for Dr. Edwin James, as he has served as a guiding light not only for the Edwin James Organization, but as the primary role model shaping my own life. I acknowledge the contributions of my producer and engineer, Mark Kaeder of Falcon studios, and Odell Borg, who handcrafted the flutes used on the EP, "Pastorali di James."