Jim is a 3rd generation Colorado native who has been playing trumpet since 4th grade. He received a Bachelor's of Music Education and a Masters of Composition and Theory from Colorado State University.

Big band jazz has always been a passion both as a player and as a writer and arranger. Jim directed the 2nd and 3rd jazz bands at CSU for over 14 years and was a featured soloist, lead arranger and assistant director with the #1 band at CSU for 18 years.

Jim moved from Ft. Collins in 1984 and, since that time, has been a freelance musician playing with small ensembles and big bands in Washington, D.C., NY City/New Jersey and St. Louis, MO. Jim played in and directed a big band made up primarily of elite Army, Air Force and Marine musicians stationed for duty at the White House in Washington, D.C. This band was among those first requested for formal political functions and was constantly sought out as a featured band in area jazz festivals and radio appearances. While in St. Louis, he was once called to sub and to sight read a black tie concert with the touring Jimmy Dorsey band, whose trumpet soloist had fallen ill.

He moved his family back to the Denver area in 1999 and, since that time, has been playing with a number of local groups, most recently with the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra since its inception in January 2002.