Atlanta Bassist
Music has always had a large influence in Jim's life. A South Carolina native, he grew up in a musical family steeped in gospel and classical music. His mother, an accomplished musician, was trained in classical piano and performed often.
As a youngster, Jim's first instrument was bass guitar and he excelled while studying with local jazz and pop musicians. After winning his highschool's Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, and the bass chair for the South Carolina All-State Jazz Band, Jim was chosen to perform with then-child-saxophone prodigy Chris Potter. Other notable performances include performances with Winthrop University and the South Carolina Children's Theater.
A continual student of music, Jim has had individual instruction from world renowned jazz bassist Rufus Reid and Grammy Award winning bassist Lynn Seaton; and he continues his musical journey as a long-time student of grammy-nominated Kevin Bales, one of Atlanta's top jazz pianists.
Jim participates in various jazz jams throughout the city and plays in numerous Atlanta-area jazz combos as well as the Alpha Jazz Big Band (the city of Alpharetta's big band). He has performed in musicals with OnStage Atlanta and with Georgia State University's jazz program. Top Atlanta-area jazz musicians with whom he has performed include: Dr. Gordon Vernick, Kevin Bales, Joe Gransden, Louis Heriveaux, Dave Frackenpohl, and many others.
Jim is also versed in other music styles to include rock, pop, country, and faith-based music, and he performs with various Atlanta-area artists.