Hannah James is an award-winning bassist, composer, and educator based in Sydney, Australia. With a passion for music that transcends genres, Hannah has established herself as a versatile and accomplished musician.

Hannah was the 2011 recipient of the prestigious Jann Rutherford Memorial award, and recieved the ANU Undergraduate Scholarship for Academic excellence for four consecutive years. She is now the first permanent full time female lecturer in jazz studies at the University of Sydney.

Hannah leads the renowned 10-Piece ensemble Pharos, The Hannah James Trio and quintet project Hatch and has released several albums of her original works. Hannah has collaborated with renowned artists such as Don Burrows, Katie Noonan, Ingrid and Christine Jensen (USA), Helen Sung (USA), Lakecia Benjamin (USA), Silke Eberhardt (Ger.), Sandy Evans, and Matt Keegan. She is an integral member of prominent Australian big bands including the New Jazz Groove Mothership Orchestra, Mingus Amongst Us, Andrew Robertson Big Band, and Divergence Jazz Ensemble.

Hannah's musical journey has encompassed performances across Australia, the United Kingdom, and Asia, spanning a wide range of musical contexts - jazz trios/quartets, musical theatre, world music, fusion, cabaret, and commercial sessions.

Her passion for music extends beyond performance to include research in Australian rhythmic practices, music pedagogy, double bass technique, and contemporary composition.