BIOGRAPHY

James Lovell was born in the village of Mango Creek, but grew up in Dangriga Town, Belize. Born with a gift to sing, this ability has provided him with many opportunities to perform in elementary and high school talent shows in Belize and neighboring countries.

As a young aspiring musician, James was very much influenced by Pen Cayetano and the Turtle Shell Band, who released Punta Rock Music that was addressing the political, social and economic issues of the people of Belize.

After graduating from Ecumenical High School, James joined the Belize Police Band, where he learned to play several instruments such as the guitar, Bass guitar, clarinet, euphonium, saxophone, recorder and keyboards. While in the Police Band, James took advanced music correspondence courses from the Royal School of Music in England. He learned to read music and to arrange musical compositions.

In 1990, James migrated to the United States of America. He put his music career on hold to join the United States Marine Corps. Four years later he received an honorable discharge.

James is currently the Musical Director of Ilagulei (ROOTS), a Garifuna Performing Arts Company. He is the driving force in the Company’s musical department. He is responsible for the formation and creation of Ilagulei’s Orchestra.

In 1995, he produced and released his first CD album entitled “KABASAN NUMARI” (WHO’S GOING TO BE MY WIFE). This is one of James’ songs that was first recorded by “La Tribu Garifuna”, a band from Honduras. Another Band, Estrellas Ubou, pre-recorded James’s song HESIENTIBUNU (I’M IN LOVE WITH YOU). The Album, Kabasan Numari, (WHO’S GOING TO BE MY WIFE), was very well received by the Garifuna fans in Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, New York, Los Angeles, Texas, Miami and other parts of the world.

Presently James is employed with the New York Board of Education, where he works with Severely Emotionally Challenged elementary and high school students manifesting behavioral problems.
He has brought out varying talents from each age group and encourages the students to dream, focus, work hard, and succeed. He has helped these children to feel proud of their efforts and has helped raise their self-esteem. This is very important in these students’ lives.

James is currently signed to Punta Rock Records, one of the largest Record Label promoting Garifuna Artists and Bands.

When asked about his goals and aspirations as a Garifuna Punta Rock Artist, he replies, “ To promote and procure the Garifuna Culture and Arts through music. To expose and introduce Garifuna Music, a unique and different art form, which will add a new dimension to the music world.”

James has performed and presented special programs in a variety of educational and social setting.
With fifteen years of performing experience, James has composed several songs that are loved and well known within the Garifuna Community in Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Texas and Miami. He is one Garifuna Artist who qualifies to expose the Garifuna music, dance and language to the other cultures of the world. While his career has taken him to the educational setting, he has not strayed from his roots. He is presently educating the youth with the New York City Board of Education. He is in charge of a music program at his school and a neighboring school as well. James is aspiring to do great things. In addition to his current employment with the New York City Board of Education, he is frequently featured in many musical showcases, in the United States. One thing we can be sure of, the name James Lovell, has only begun to be heard.