Jim began his rhythmic explorations banging on pots and pans at the age of 2. Formally introduced to music/drums in grade school, Jim recalls the days trekking pieces of the school's drum kit back and forth, (by hand) between home and school. Tons of fun when it came to carting around big things like floor toms and bass drums.
Jim got his experience with live performance at an early age, having sung in both grade school and eventually with the Philadelphia Boys Choir, touring Canada and performing at incredible venues such as Vet's Stadium and the Philadelphia Academy of Music.
Jim's first foray into performing on the drums began in 1980 at the Thomas J. Finletter School in Olney PA, just blocks away from a local recreation center that hosted great summer shows. Some shows included a young ripping guitarist named Chris Day, (member of the Tommy Conwell band). Witnessing those shows as well as many local garage band rehearsals definitely placed the bug in Jim's ear to play semi-professionally.
Performance opportunities continued to evolve for Jim during the years between grade and high school. The Second Sight band morphed into About Face around the freshman year of High school. Gigs at local talent shows soon became paying gigs all around the tristate area, from the local Howard Johnson's to the Philly Cookbook and all places in-between. Many great shows were performed from 1985 through the early 2000s. Additional groups such as The Greenhouse, Seven Potato Baby and more had Jim playing cover, original rock and eclectic genres. Highlights included openers for World Party and Tower of Power, and regular shows among the local cabaret circuit.
During a stint between bands, Jim was presented with an opportunity to audition for a pure Blues outfit. Recalling the best live performances he'd seen to date and overwhelming and global embracing of the Blues genre', Jim decided to give the band Scoville Blues a shot. They were reluctant at first, knowing Jim's rock underpinnings, but may have been impressed with Jim's diligence in listening and deep preparation.
Jim entered the Blues scene in August of 2008, and the momentum was insane. Rehearsing for about a month, Scoville got the nod to open for Dave Mason and Walter Trout at the Scottish Rite Theater. Original material flowed like water for a bit and the first CD was put to tape. Many great openers, festivals, and shared events have filled the years to date including shows with Tower of Power, Canned Heat, Frank Bey, and numerous incredible Blues festivals around the tristate area.
Highlights include:
Hosting on drums for weekly shows at Puck Live, Capris Pizza, Crooked Eye Brewery and Sweeny's.
Drumming for band such as: Sister Blue, Bristol Community Band, About Face, The Greenhouse, Fuzz, Seven Potato Baby, Pennise Family band, Think Pink (Pink Floyd Tribute), Joe Kirschen Trio, Irish and Spinning Vinyl bands, Scoville Blues, The Kamara Band, and Neshaminy Valley Baptist Church.
Notable sub/backing work: Unique 4 Plus (featuring a founding member of the Tokens), Heart Fulla' Blues, Howlin' Blue, Blue Jay Slim and the Tone Blasters, Under the Gun, BD Mylo and the Go-Daddy's, Wendy Zoffer Jazz Trio, Georgie Bonds, Sister Blue, Joe Alves, Uptight Dynamite, Toni Washingtin, Philly Rock and Soul, Rob Martyn, Philly Blues Kings, Russ Lambert, Dean Shott, Steve Guyger, and Randy Lippincott.
Competitions: Traveled to Memphis in 2014 with Blue Jay Slim and the Tone Blasters to perform in the annual International Blues Competition (IBC). Made it to the regional finals of the Marlboro Music competition with The Greenhouse in the 1990's. Member of The Slidewinder Blues Band as they received the "Best Band in Bucks" title.
Recorded with: The Greenhouse, Scoville Blues, Joe Kirschen, Kamara Band, Slidewinder Blues Band, Kenny Githens, and Raymond Coleman.
Jim plays traditional, hand and electronic percussion, such as Sonor, LP, Meinyl, KAT, and Roland gear.