As a performer, James Rae has played in many West End and National Theatre productions, played freelance engagements with leading British orchestras and ensembles, and led the Phoenix Saxophone Quartet for a number of years. Most of his composing is directed towards teaching and James Rae is one of Europe's most published writers of educational music with over 120 titles to his name, several of which appear in exam syllabi around the world. History-soaked Southwold, on the Suffolk coast, has been described by a writer with a longstanding connection to the town (and a fondness for alliteration) as "a sleepy, slightly self-satisfied seaside town" and to James Rae it may be the most relaxing place on the planet. His Southwold Sonatina was commissioned by and is dedicated to the clarinettist Ian Haysted who gave its first performance on 16th February 2005 at the Center for the Performing Arts, Illinois State University. The work is tonal, melodic, strongly rhythmic and "..., like Southwold itself is built along traditional lines." The movements depict three of the composer's favourite parts of the town.
