PortraitFaculty
James DaSilva
Guitar
James DaSilva is an in-demand performing and recording guitarist based in Nashville, Tennessee, whose work spans jazz, rock, studio production, and beyond. A graduate of Belmont University, he has performed and recorded alongside some of the most celebrated names in music, including Vince Gill, Earth, Wind & Fire, Phil Keaggy, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Jeff Coffin, The McCrary Sisters, Tommy Sims, and the Annie Moses Band, among many others. His path into the Annie Moses family began at his father's side, when he came to the Summer Music Festival as a mentor helping the legendary Mario DaSilva teach — captivated by the community and Christian fellowship, he kept returning, eventually marrying Camille Wolaver and collaborating with the Annie Moses Band first as a guitarist and bassist on the road. Today he serves on the faculty of the Conservatory of Annie Moses, teaching private guitar as well as group courses in music theory, jazz improvisation, and arranging. He and Camille have six children and reside in Columbia, TN.
Biography
On James.
James DaSilva's path into the Annie Moses family began at his father's side. He first came to the Summer Music Festival as a mentor, helping the legendary Mario DaSilva in his teaching. James was captivated by the community and Christian fellowship at the Festival and kept returning. That connection would shape the course of his life. James went on to marry Camille Wolaver, and his collaboration with the Annie Moses Band grew from there, first as a guitarist and bass player on the road and now as a faculty member of the Conservatory of Annie Moses.
Today James DaSilva is an in-demand performing and recording guitarist based in Nashville, Tennessee, whose work spans jazz, rock, studio production, and beyond. A graduate of Belmont University, he studied in the school's top music ensembles under the direction of Dr. Jeff Kirk — known for his work with Maynard Ferguson and the Eagles — and Rahsaan Barber, longtime musical director for Aretha Franklin. His guitar studies include private instruction under Mario DaSilva, Paul Abrams, Shane Roberts, Matthew Von Doran, and Stan Lassiter, forming a foundation as rigorous as it is wide-ranging.
Over the course of his career, James has performed and recorded alongside some of the most celebrated names in music, including Vince Gill, Earth, Wind & Fire, Phil Keaggy, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Rodney Whitaker, Jeff Coffin, Pete Christlieb, Shannon Forrest, The McCrary Sisters, Tommy Sims, Phil Lassiter, and the Annie Moses Band, among many others — a roster that speaks to both his versatility and the trust the Nashville music community places in him.
A dedicated educator as well as a performer, James has served on the faculty of both the Annie Moses Summer Music Festival and The Jam Advanced Summer Music Camp since 2008. He brings the same depth and enthusiasm he carries to the stage into the classroom, teaching private guitar students as well as group courses in music theory, jazz improvisation, and arranging at the Conservatory of Annie Moses. He and Camille have six children and reside in Columbia, TN.