The James Piano Quartet was formed in 2006 with the goal of exploring the rich repertoire of piano quartets, as well as duos and trios for string instruments and piano. During the last three years the group was in residence at Wintergreen Music Festival and Sweet Briar College. In 2007 the JPQ joined the roster of the Virginia Commission for the Arts. Recent performances include appearances in the Roanoke Arts Festival, and at Virginia Wesleyan College, Virginia Beach and the Martha Washington Inn, Abingdon.

The repertoire of the group includes seldom performed quartets by Taneyev and Walton among others, and more famous quartets by Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms and Schumann. During the last academic year two new piano quartets were composed for the group: Hagiophony by Jonathan Green and Udolpho by Kent Holliday. The group is also collaborating with composer Joelle Wallach. In February 2010 they will premiere her new piano quartet Runes and Ritual at Sweet Briar College.

The JPQ is currently recording chamber music of Arthur Honegger for Centaur Records. This project is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2010. Honegger?s chamber music has been unjustly neglected, and the quartet relishes the preparation of these wonderful works, a series of violin, cello, and viola sonatas written when Honegger was at the height of his fame and powers.