James D. Forbes Bio: 

Born:  Jacksonville, Florida 

Multi Grammy-Nominated Engineer/Producer/Songwriter/Studio Owner

Vice-President, Jacoda Records & Entertainment. Inc/Jacoda Music Publishing, Co. (ASCAP)

  
"Son of famed sportswriter Gordon Forbes (USA Today, Philadelphia Inquirer, Sports Illustrated, NFL Pro Football Hall Of Fame) the family moved north to the Southern New Jersey/Philadelphia area when I was young and that is where I spent most of my youth. I was drawn into music at an early age, I remember hearing Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd for the first time and being blown away with the sonics of the music along with the amazing songs and players." 

"I started playing guitar in my early teens but was fascinated with how records were produced, engineered and mixed. This world was opened up to me when I had the chance to study audio production in the early 80’s under engineer/producer Joe Alexander (Dream Theatre, Vinnie Moore, Patti Labelle, Vanessa Williams, Teddy Pendergrass) at the legendary Kajem Studios in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania. Over the years I have grown to appreciate all styles of music and learned various production techniques and studio work ethic from the best in the business. Being a great music engineer involves growth and dedication to the art of music production." 

Since this time James has logged over 35 years in professional recording studios and has worked with artists on Warner Brothers, Epic Records, Metal Blade, Universal Records, Roadrunner, Sony Music, TVT, Sensory Records and Arista Records, The Sound Of LA, Pure Steel Records Germany among others.  James is an ASCAP member and co-owner of Jacoda Music Publishing, Inc. with his partner Jayar Mack as well as a voting member of the Recording Academy.  James spent 7 years as an audio instructor at Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida before relocating to Tampa Bay in 2007. James taught audio production at International Academy of Design and Technology Tampa campus from 2007 till 2015 and has been focusing on his company Vortex Music Productions going forward. Currently staff engineer at Clear Tracks Studios as well as an audio instructor with Clear Tracks owner Mike Johnson who together teach audio production classes for the “Art of Sound Recording” .
  
Studios where JAMES has worked on various projects at: 

Kajem Studios Gladwyne Pennsylvana 
Warehouse Studios Philadelphia 
Tongue and Groove  Philadelphia 
Water Sound Recorders Hoboken, New Jersey 
Vortex Recording Studios  Stratford, New Jersey 
0X1 Sound Studios, Cherry Hill, New Jersey 
Aftermaster Studios Hollywood California 
O’Henry Recording Studios  Burbank California 
The Hit Factory NYC 
The Power Station NYC 
Pyramid Sound Studios Ithica, NY 
Quantum Sound Studios Jersey City,  New Jersey 
Roadshow Music Studios Orlando, Florida 
Phat Planet Studios Orlando, Florida 
Starke Lake Studios Orlando, Florida 
KDS Recording Complex Orlando, Florida 
Clear Tracks Studios Tampa, Florida 
LALA Mansion Studios Tampa, Florida 

  
Producers and Engineers that JAMES was so blessed to work with and learn from! 

Shelly Yakus (John Lennon, Tom Petty, U2, Stevie Nicks, Don Henley, Blue Oyster Cult, Alice Cooper, Patti Smith, Dire Straits, Lou Reed, Bob Seger, Grand Funk Railroad and hundreds of other top level major label artists!) 
Andy Wallace (Nirvana, Rush, Rage Against The Machine, Slayer, Dream Theatre) 
Neil Kernon  (Judas Priest, Dokken, Elton John, Queensryche , Yes, Thin Lizzy, Queen) 
Obie O’Brien (Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper, April Wine, Hans Zimmer, Rik Wakeman) 
Anthony Little (Justin Timberlake, Tina Turner, Backstreet Boys, Reba McEntire) 
Rob Caggiano (Anthrax, Volbeat, The Damned Things) 

Daniels M Justin Subrosa Media, Warner Brothers, Sony Music 
Fred Frank  (Chicago, Sly Stone, BT Express, Phyllis Hyman, Sunnie Paxson) 
Glenn Feit (Motley Crue, Guns and Roses, WASP, Aerosmith) 
Alex Perialas (Anthrax, Raven, Testament, Overkill, Bad Religion) 
Chris Tsangaradies  (Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Yngwie Malmsteen, Thin Lizzy, Ozzy) 
Scott Hull (Steely Dan, John Mayer, Nirvana, AC DC, Bruce Springsteen, Bowie, Aerosmith) 
Bernie Kirsh (Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Return To Forever, Herbie Hancock) 
Bob Katz (Ben Kinsley, Foghat, Paquito D’Rivera, Olga Tanon) 
Pete Humphries (Teddy Pendergrass, Lou Rawls, Grover Washington Jr. 
Phyllis Hyman) 

Selected Artists and Bands JAMES worked on projects with 
  

Fear Of God  Warner Brothers Records 
Détente Roadracer Records 
Heavens Edge Columbia Records 
Cinderella Mercury Records                                                                  Psychoprism Pure Steel Records Germany 
Cintron (Grammy-Nominated Latin-Jazz Group) Universal Records 
Immolation Metal Blade Records 

Rob Caggiano  (Guitarist for Anthrax/Volbeat and Producer)Ha*Ash Sony Music 
Jim Breuer  Metal Blade Records 
Brian Johnson AC/DC 
David Muse of Firefall 
Michael B. Sutton Legendary Motown Producer/Songwriter 
John Legend Sony Music Recording Artist 
John Blackwell ( 6x Grammy-Nominated Drummer for Prince) 
Chick Corea  (20x Grammy Winner) Living Legend 
Aneessa The Sound Of LA/Sony Music Records 
Vinnie Moore 
Doug South Band 
Olivia Romano 
Sunnie Paxson 
Souliz Band (Winner, Suncoast Blues Society Blues Competition, 2016, 2nd Place Winner, International Blues Competition, 2017)
Leon Majcen 
Stanley Clarke (World Renowned Bassist and Producer/Multi Grammy Award Winner) 
Gloria West and The Gents 
Siravo 
Stonehead 
Drivetime Sound Of LA Records (Hollywood Media Awards nominated) 
Jef Lee Johnson 
Steve Green and The Elevators (featuring members from Boyz II Men, Patti Labelle, Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass, Santana) 
Danny Gottlieb World Renowned Jazz drummer 
Vivian Green Columbia Records 
Jayar Mack (Grammy-Nominated Vocalist/Songwriter/Producer/Keyboardist) Universal Records, Jacoda Records
Lover Of The Bayou 
Esque 
Rhythm Freaks (featuring members of The Roots) 
Zu Ninjaz (Wu Tang Clan affiliated group) 
Naked Soul (featuring players from Boys II Men, Patti Labelle, Teddy Pendergrass, Lou Rawls, The Roots)