James has been a big fan of Frank Sinatra since his teenage years. His first attempt at singing Sinatra was for a bet in the late seventies. He did however get a huge response, and from that moment on he vowed to mix both his passions, Singing and Sinatra.
His major break came in the early eighties when he auditioned as a vocalist for the "Stapleford Big-Band". Harold Kyte, the musical director, was so impressed that he signed James up on the spot. James went on to perform with the Stapleford Big-Band for nearly 20 years, singing songs from the Swing Era including Sinatra's Hits. James even provided his own 16 piece arrangements for the band.
In 1998, following Frank Sinatra's unfortunate death, James went on to plan an evening in his memory. The venue was Nottingham's "Royal Concert Hall". Tickets sold out within a few days, and the line-up consisted of James Selfridge as Sinatra and the Stapleford Big-Band.
The audience consisted of many famous faces from the Nottingham area, but one of James favourite moments was meeting the legendary Brian Clough.
Another one of the audience members was the entertainments manager for Thompsons, the worldwide holiday chain. After the show, James was approached by the manager and offered a contract lasting 7 years, performing in Thompsons Gold Hotels, throughout the world.
James Selfridge got to see Frank Sinatra twice, firstly in 1989 at the Royal Albert Hall, where Frank, Sammy Davis Jr. and Liza Minnelli played the same bill. Secondly in 1990 at the London Docklands. On both occasions the orchestra was conducted by Frank Sinatra Jr.
James Selfridge is the only Non-American to appear as Frank Sinatra in the Las vegas Rat Pack Show, Frank, Dean & Sammy.