James Valentine

Talented MC and Entertainer with a Quirky Edge

ABC Afternoons host James Valentine is a man of many talents. As a broadcaster and writer he is renowned for his quirky social commentary and sense of humour. As a musician, he is admired for his sensuous saxaphone playing and mellow vocals.

James presents Afternoons on 702 ABC Sydney and he produces and presents Movie News for Showtime Television. He has worked on Channel Seven's show  It Takes Two and Sunrise and is remembered fondly by anyone aged six in 1986 as the host of ABC TV's The Afternoon Show. He has also presented on Good Morning Australia, Midday and TVTV.

James began his career as a musician. He played saxophone with many of the top Australian bands and performers of the eighties, including Jo Camilleri, Kate Ceberano and Wendy Matthews. James was a member of the Models with whom he recorded two platinum albums, two number one hits and toured US and Europe. He went on to play with Absent Friends.

James' experience in daily live radio and entertaining make him an ideal choice for live events and his easy going wit and humour make him a popular choice with a wide range of audiences.  As an MC he has hosted such diverse events as the Telstra Small Business of the Year, Engineers Australia Awards, the Australian Animators and Special Effects Awards, the Australian Book Design Awards and the Sydney Film Festival.

As a speaker, James has appeared at the Sydney and Melbourne Writers Festival, and he regularly addresses schools, community groups, seminars and conferences on everything from media, to writing and his own career.

He has authored books including the Jumpman Series for young readers, The Form Guide and Spotfull for adult readers and The True History of Stuff for children - a collaboration with artist Reg Mombassa. Film rights for Jumpman have been sold to Mandalay Pictures. Throughout his career James has written for Rolling Stone, Vogue and Cleo and was a music reviewer for The Australian and has written feature and opinion pieces for the Sydney Morning Herald.

James Valentine as MC:

James Valentine is happy to craft speeches and presentations to meet the needs of specific clients and events. In addition, he delivers presentations on specific topics that include So You Want To Get Published - a Witty Look at Book Publishing Today,  Change Management - Try My Career and Welcome To The Form Guide - a very funny presentation on contemporary etiquette based on his popular radio segment.

James Valentine as Entertainer:

James plays saxophone and sings with his own quartet around Sydney. James -with his quartet or with his pianist, provides the perfect entertainment for corporate events - either as a show or as background accompaniment for cocktail parties.

His low key style, friendly manner and light hearted humour put audiences at ease, while the jazz he plays creates  a positive, relaxed atmosphere.