James Sudakow is a musician with a creative and innovative approach to the electric violin and viola. Classically trained since the age of 4, he has adapted his training to radically alter the instrument’s sound, capabilities, and applications. He uses heavy distortion to play both lead and riff oriented rhythm sections in much of his original progressive rock projects.

His musical influences are not violinists but rather a select group of innovative rock guitarists, specifically Jimi Hendrix, Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction), and Vernon Reid (Living Colour). He demonstrates a unique application of the electric violin / viola and Marshall JCM2000 Amplifier as heard and seen in both his studio work and high energy live performances throughout Los Angeles with several progressive rock projects.