James Lascelles

James Edward Lascelles, born on October 5, 1953, is an English musician. He is the second son of the 7th Earl of Harewood and his first wife, Marion Lascelles. Through his family connections, he is a second cousin to King Charles III.

Education and Early Musical Development

In his youth, Lascelles received lessons in classical piano and drumming. He has stated that John Tavener, the composer, taught him improvisation techniques through duets performed on a church organ. His musical interests later expanded to jazz, blues, and rock and roll genres.

The Global Village Trucking Company

In the early 1970s, Lascelles co-founded the band known as the Global Village Trucking Company, colloquially called "The Globs" by its followers. The band, along with their road crew and families, lived together in a commune situated in an old farmhouse in Sotherton, Suffolk. Their activities included numerous benefit concerts and free festivals, characterized by extended free-form jam sessions. The band avoided record company affiliations but participated in notable recordings: they appeared on the 1973 benefit album "Greasy Truckers Live at Dingwalls Dance Hall" and recorded a self-titled album at Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, Wales, in 1974.

In 1973, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) produced a documentary focusing on the band's communal lifestyle and their independent approach to making music. This documentary was later updated in May 2008 for the "What Happened Next" series, which highlighted a reunion gig—their first in 30 years—leading to subsequent performances at festivals such as Glastonbury in 2008.

Later Musical Career

Following his time with the band, Lascelles pursued a career as a session musician. In 1980, he joined The Breakfast Band, a jazz/funk ensemble that released two albums, "Dolphin Ride" and "Waters Edge," and achieved a dance hit titled "L.A. 14." His interest in world music led him to record tribal music in regions such as North Africa and New Mexico, which he released through his independent label, Tribal Music International.

In addition to recording and performing, Lascelles composed music for theatre companies including The Footsbarn Travelling Theatre and Tiata Fahodzi, as well as for films. Between 2000 and 2023, he played keyboards, synthesizers, and percussion for Cockney Rebel and continues to perform this role with his world music band, Talking Spirits, as of 2024. He has also been involved in working with inner-city youth and appeared with Mike Storey as part of the duo "The Ivory Brothers" starting in 2011.

Personal Life

Lascelles has been married three times. His first marriage was to Frederica Duhrssen in 1973, with whom he has a daughter and a son. His second marriage was to Lori "Shadow" Lee in 1985, ending in divorce in 1996; they also have a daughter and a son together. His third wife is Joy Elias-Rilwan, an actress linked to the Elias family of Yoruba chieftains in Lagos.

His younger brother, Jeremy Lascelles, is a music industry executive and was a percussionist in the Global Village Trucking Company. His elder brother, David Lascelles, is a film and television producer.

Discography

Global Village Trucking Company

- Greasy Truckers Live at Dingwalls Dance Hall (1974)

- Global Village Trucking Company (1975)

The Breakfast Band

- Dolphin Ride

- Waters Edge

Solo Recordings

- Turn off the Lights (2004) (Large 3)

Collaborations

- Fire & Snow (2008) with Mandyleigh Storm