James Woodrow gives regular performances as soloist and ensemble player with the London Chamber Symphony, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, London Sinfonietta, BBC Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Singers and The New London Chamber Choir, and is a member of the Gavin Bryars Ensemble and Icebreaker.

He has worked with a number of contemporary dance companies, including Richard Alston, London Contemporary Dance, Rambert, Phoenix Dance Company, Siobhan Davies, Shobana Jeyasingh, Royal Ballet and Scottish Ballet and, from 1999 until its close in December 2011, the Merce Cunningham Dance Company.

James also plays with a number of jazz ensembles, including his own quartet CandyTime with whom he has recorded two albums.