James Tyler (musician)

James Tyler (August 3, 1940 – November 23, 2010) was a 20th-century American lutenist, banjoist, guitarist, composer, musicologist and author, who helped pioneer an early music revival with more than 60 recordings.

He performed with Sidney Beck's Consort Players and, in 1963, played with them at the White House for U.S. President John F. Kennedy.

[1][2][5][6] He composed music for BBC television productions of Shakespeare plays, including The Good Old Days.

He authored several books on early plucked instruments and their music (see bibliography), and wrote articles for various publications.

[1][2][6] Tyler provided "very gentle leadership, always had a jolly smile on his face and was always positive," one of his USC students said in tribute.

"He shaped the lives of so many students," said Lucinda Carver, a professor in the early music program at USC.