James E. Bryant, a native of Charlottesville, Virginia, is a graduate of Virginia Union University, where he studied voice with the late Winfred Bogert and Elizabeth Brown. He has performed as a soloist at Ash-Lawn Highlands and First Night Virginia, and with the Virginia Union Concert Choir, Virginia Union Lyceum Consort Singers and the Oratorio Society of Charlottesville-Albemarle. Presently he sings with the African-American Heritage Chorale of Richmond.

Mr. Bryant made his singing debut at age ten, performing the PBS program Patterns in Music for Fifth Grade. He was featured in 1974 as Nate in William Grant Still's opera Highway One USA, and in 1994 as Melchoir in the Soundstage production of Amahl and the Night Visitors. He is currently Choral Music Teacher at Walker School and Vocal Coach for Charlottesville High School Choirs. He serves at guest conductor for the All-City Choral Festival with the City of Charlottesville Public Schools. In 1998 Mr. Bryant was honored at Teacher of the Year at Walker Upper Elementary School.