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Each month we will be featuring different
drummers and styles of music, letting them speak their mind on all aspects
of drumming, equipment, what they love about the drums, philosophies and their
reflections on music from the drummers unique perspective.
Please contact us if you would like to share your thoughts at info@MetroMusicMayhem.com.
I was
born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in a suburb called Des Plaines.
I can remember the local junior high band director coming to school
for an assembly. He brought with him a variety of instrument’s
and demonstrated all of them. I noticed that he did’nt
have any drums with him. So I asked him why? And he said that I’m
recruiting young students for next years band program to play these
instruments. How would you like to play the Clarinet? I said that I
really want to play the drums and he told me that I have enough drummers
already, but if someone quit’s I’ll let you know.
And so began my musical career as a clarinetist. I played
in the junior high band Christmas concert and then to my surprise the
band director told me that there’s an opening in the drum section.
That was around February of 1971, and I have been playing
the drums ever since. I soon started learning how to read drum
music and play in the school concert band. For the next 10 years I played
in every possible band the school’s had to offer. Including Jazz,
Marching and Symphonic. I also took private lessons to better myself. |
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When I was 16 I joined my first rock band
with some high school friends. We mostly played at school dances
and private parties. Then, I went on the road with a 4 piece
top 40 band at age
19 for 2 years. We traveled all over the U.S. That was a great
learning experience for me because we played 6 night’s a
week. Then I came back home and played in some local bands.
One of which was an original band. We released a single that got
some airplay on college stations and we were also the opening act
for Survivor before they were big.
In 1985 I joined another road band from Canada
that toured in Tampa,Orlando and South Florida. I saw that the
music scene down here was really happening, so I decided to stay
here. I was lucky enough to join some really good house bands
around town and I’ve
met some excellent musicians. I now have my own band “Magic
Bus” and we play the music I grew up listening to. Ie,Beatles,Stones,Cream,
Etc We play out 2-3 times a week and I just recently started teaching
at Sam Ash. So now I can pass along my experiences to my students.
Jim can be currently seen performing with his
band "Magic Bus" They are a three piece British Classic Rock Band.
They have a house gig every Saturday night at The Blue Anchor in
Delray Beach from 10pm til 1am. They also play at The Sunset Grill
in Coconut Creek twice a month and the Tin Fish Grill in West Palm
Beach and w private parties, corporate event’s
and various club’s
in Broward and Palm Beach county.
Jim endorses Aquarian Drumheads.and play Vic Firth sticks, and
Sabian and Zildjian cymbals. |
