William Garnet James OBE (28 August 1892 – 10 March 1977) was an Australian pianist and composer and a pioneer of music broadcasting in Australia.
On the recommendation of the visiting pianist Teresa Carreño, he headed overseas to study in London and Brussels with Arthur De Greef, a former pupil of Franz Liszt and Camille Saint-Saëns.
In 1923 James returned to Australia, in company with Stella Power,[3] eventually taking up a teaching position at the Melbourne University Conservatorium.
From 1935, James made regular overseas trips to persuade international artists to perform in Australia with the newly formed ABC orchestras.
His selection of repertoire for concert performances was conservative, possibly because he felt contemporary composers might not have a broad enough appeal for radio audiences.