Bio

Jim’s professional music career has been long and varied. His versatility as a multi instrumentalist has given him opportunities to perform, and record on 5 different continents; with superstars such as Jay-Z, Pete Townshend, Sting, Alicia Keys, Josh Groban, and many many more. 

Jim’s musical life began in Chicago, at around 10 years old. Playing the trumpet for a short time, his interests started to gravitate to a lower register, so he began playing more trombone. After several years of trombone his ears began to gravitate again, taking him to even lower registers.  This is when he began playing Bass (both upright and electric) as well as Tuba.  Feeling like he had finally found his musical home things began to progress very quickly for Jim. After his first several months playing Bass he was winning auditions and slowly beginning to make his mark on the Chicago Jazz scene.  Flying by the seat of his pants, and learning as he went along gave Jim some incredible experiences learning from some of the great players in Chicago. Quickly he started working and playing gigs where he could.  And his versatility would lead him to the Montreux Jazz Festival shortly there after.  

And at age 17 Jim was ready for more, he was ready to make the move to New York City to further advance his career. Earning a BFA from The New School, Jim’s experience and resume began to grow. Since his time in New York, Jim has had the privilege to perform and record with some of the most notable performers in the entertainment industry.  Including The Roots, Busta Rhymes, Nas, Janelle Monae, Erykah Badu, Dana Carvey, Dave Chappelle, Bernie Worrell, Emeline Michel, Bobby Cruz, Kygo, Parson James, Wycliffe Gordon, and Shiela Jordan to name a few. 

As Jim looks forward to working with artists old and new, the joy of being able to experience one more day of music remains as exhilarating as the first day holding an instrument.

(Selected Artists)

Jay Z                     Sting

Billy Idol                Pete Townshend  

Alicia Keys            Josh Groban

Busta Rhymes       The Roots

Nas                       Janelle Monae

Erykah Badu          Kygo

Ben E. King            Amir “Questlove” Thompson

Dave Chappelle      Dana Carvey        

Parson James         Bilal

DJ Premier              Adam Blackstone

Frankie Grande       Savion Glover

Mark O’Connor        Lena Hall            

Ciara Renee            Bobby Cruz        

Bernie Worrell         Imany

Emeline Michel        Noam Pikelny

Lucius                     Jon Hendricks

Shiela Jordan          Wycliffe Gordon    

Junior Mance          Reggie Workman

Chris Potter             Theo Bleckmann

Von Freeman           Robert Glasper

Jane Ira Bloom         Greg Tardy

Todd Williams           Andy Milne

Ari Hoenig                Paul Bollenback

Jason Lindner          Charles Tolliver

Charlie Persip          John Benitez

Bill Laswell               Maya Azucena

Ze Luis                     Jo Lawry

Von Smith                 Garrison Hawk

Robert Zeigler            Alfie Boe  

Roland Dahinden       Elisha Abas

John Rutledge           Marjukka Paasonen    

Mauricio Pessoa        Victor “Papo” Ortiz

Senri Oe                    Junko Yagami

Kaki King Sarah Brightman

Evanescence Lindsey Sterling

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