James Brock: Rhythms, Roots, and Craft
James “Jamie” Brock is a multifaceted musician based in Charlotte, North Carolina, known for his work as a drummer and percussionist. He has been associated with Atlas World Music since July 2000, contributing to various musical projects over the years. In addition to his musical endeavors, Brock is involved in other creative pursuits. He identifies as a “Herbal Spagyrist” and is connected to Brock Leather Co., indicating interests in herbal alchemy and leather craftsmanship. Brock has been active in the local music scene, performing at venues like Smokey Joe’s in Charlotte alongside artists such as Josh Daniel and Dale Meyers. His performances showcase his versatility and commitment to live music.
About Me – James Brock
Charlotte native and second-generation professional drummer, James Brock, believes human relationships are the most important facet of life and that everything we do has the power to build these connections and hold them together. This credence is the foundation of his work as a performer, ethno-musicologist, studio musician, skilled leathersmith, and practical alchemist. As a young child, Brock would frequently visit local health food stores with his mother and marvel at the many glass jars of herbs and roots. Later, his lifelong fascination with nature’s interconnectedness led him back to those roots through the practice and teaching of Spagyria, the ancient alchemical art of preparing spiritualized, whole-plant concentrates into potent, bioavailable forms. For Brock, the craft of alchemy and the power of music are not so far apart, when powerful alchemical principles of distilling and recombining natural elements are applied across diverse music cultures, a synergy of harmony, rhythm and healing begins.
Over the past decade and a half, Brock has brought that synergy to various collaborations, including with Iranian tar player Behnam Zamanian, Ugandan Kora player Chinobay, the band Rajasthan, Rajasthan Josh and numerous others across the globe. In 2025, he toured Northern India with the Master Drummers.
Brock performs world music for The N.C. Herbal Association in Valle Crucis, Yahola Herbal Schools in Folly Beach and Charleston, and The Plant Medicine Society of the Carolinas. When working stateside, he performs with local artists such as Caroline Keller, Simplified, the Tosco Music Party house band, and The Smokin’ J’s; the host band for Charlotte’s longest running open mic night at Smokey Joe’s Café.
As a leathersmith, Brock fosters relationships in the larger musical community through the design of custom Brock Leather guitar straps for artists such as Bon Jovi’s John Shanks, Steve Fister of Steppenwolf, and Polish artist Marcin. He recently contributed a live performance to the major motion picture, Roofman, a crime drama starring Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst, premiering Fall of 2025.
For Brock, every aspect of his life and work has one commonality; it serves to highlight the interconnectedness between us by alchemizing the influences of the East and West, drawing us together through a powerful, transformative blend of indigenous cultures and magical sound.
Growing Up With Rhythm
From xylophones and sitars to African masks and frame drums on the walls, James Brock’s childhood was a whirlwind of musical and cultural immersion. Son of the legendary Jim Brock—percussionist and Charlotte icon—James grew up inside the sound. “It was easy for me to adapt to that kind of life,” he reflects. His earliest compositions came from banging on laundry machines and discovering rhythm in the ordinary. “I used to play a washing machine like it was a conga,” he laughed. “I thought everything had a sound to offer.”
A Charlotte Community That Raised Me
Charlotte’s music scene isn’t just a backdrop—it’s the foundation. From Monday nights at The Double Door Inn to years spent gigging across the Queen City, James has become a mainstay in local bands like The Smokin’ Jays and the house band at Smokey Joe’s open mic. “Charlotte has world-class players,” he says. “It’s one of the best music communities in the country.” The camaraderie and versatility of the local scene shaped his sound and gave him a lifelong musical home. “I learned so much from just being around these incredible musicians. It’s a community that raised me.”
Crafting Sound: From Drumsticks to Goat Skin Straps
James’ artistry doesn’t stop at music. Under the brand Rock Leather, he handcrafts custom guitar straps, bags, and accessories used by players from Charlotte to global stages—including Bon Jovi’s John Shanks and guitar prodigy Marcin. Each piece is tailored, symbolic, and infused with intention. “It’s art, it’s love, it’s care,” he says, holding up a handmade leather bag. “You find pieces of yourself in the things you create.”
Alchemy in a Mason Jar
Alongside music and leather, James also practices spagyric alchemy—a rare form of plant medicine rooted in ancient herbal traditions. It involves distilling the body, soul, and spirit of a plant into a potent, whole remedy. “It’s like the plants recognize themselves when they’re put back together,” he explains. “It becomes powerful, vibrant medicine.” Whether harvesting rabbit brush in Arizona or wild herbs in the Appalachians, James brings this practice with him on the road, creating tinctures that honor both the land and the spirit of the plant.
Atlas Music: The Global Groove of James Brock
Percussionist and composer James Brock stopped by the rBeatz studio to talk rhythm, roots, and the remarkable journey of his cross-cultural music project, Atlas Music.
An Ancient Instrument with a Modern Pulse
At the heart of James’ sound is a rare and resonant instrument: the Udu—a clay pot drum originally handcrafted in Nigeria. Its earthy tone and expressive air-driven sound are central to his style. “It’s totally hollow inside, and when you push air through it, it creates this deep bass tone. Then, pulling your hand back creates a sharp high tone—like a voice in rhythm,” he explained. “It’s a conversation.”
Atlas Music: A Dream Realized
His passion for world music led to Atlas Music, a deeply personal project connecting musicians from India, North Africa, Charlotte, and beyond into a genre-defying musical experience. “I’ve always been drawn to the music that’s home to other people,” he said. “I love the idea of mixing cultures, kind of like mixing red and blue—you get purple. And purple is its own beautiful thing.”
The project has grown into a visual and audio series, capturing intimate collaborations filmed in both studio and natural settings—celebrating sound, spirituality, and healing.
The Charlotte Connection
Though Atlas spans continents, James stays rooted in Charlotte. He’s a versatile, in-demand drummer for acts like the Caroline Keller Band and Simplified, and often plays alongside his wife Jasmine. “I just love playing the song,” he says. “It’s about making space for the people around you.”
Music With a Mission
James hopes to one day bring the artists of Atlas Music together in one room—to tour, record, and reinvest in the cultures that shaped them. “We live in a time where we’re going for the fruit—but we can’t forget the root,” he says. “That’s where the spirit of this music lives.”
More Artists and Show Episodes
