Born into a musical family, perhaps at Versailles, where there were connections with the court of Louis XIV, James Paisible moved with his colleague Cambert to London in 1673. In 1677 he joined the court musical establishment of Charles II, accompanying Charles’s successor, James II, into exile in France in 1688. Paisible soon returned to England, where he became court composer to Prince George of Denmark, husband of Princess, later Queen, Anne. He was known as a recorder player and contributed music to the theatre.

Instrumental Music
In addition to instrumental music for the theatre Paisible also added to the repertoire of the recorder. His Six Setts of Aires, for two recorders and bass, were published in London in 1720.