jm
background/bio info
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The purpose of the business is to
provide music production and recording services and music that will
honor God in all aspects. It includes full music production, recording
services and live performances.
In the recording and production side of
the business, Jim operates in the roles of producer, arranger, musician,
songwriter and all aspects of recording (engineering, editing, mixing and
mastering) to meet the needs of each client. His primary instrument is
piano, and he also played drums several years professionally. The
most current recording is a contemporary Gospel collaboration with his
wife, Susie titled "Blessed!" Jim previously produced four of his own CDs and several CDs for other artists. His work
was recognized by the Midwest Entertainment & Music Association in the
areas of R&B/jazz (2003) and gospel/inspirational (2004).
In January 2003, he released his second
CD, titled “I Give It All To You” which came at time he made a permanent
commitment to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. The musical style of the CD is
best described as inspirational jazz instrumental, and also includes
remakes of three soul/R&B classics (each redone with a message
reflecting a heart's desire to give
praise and glory to the Lord) – the Isley’s “For The Love Of You”, Marvin
Gaye’s “God Is Love (God Is My Friend)” and “(Jesus) You’re The Best
Thing That Ever Happened To Me,” which features Susie.
In 2004, Jim completed two music
ministry CDs - Psalms Vol. 1 (Psalms 1-30) and “Instrumentals For
Meditation, Healing and Peace”. The Psalms Vol. 1 CD is a collaboration
with Lanette Moore that was a result of an in-depth study of the first 30
Psalms. It features Lanette’s anointed reading of the scriptures
with a backdrop of instrumental music written by Jim as each Psalm
ministered to him. As “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the
word of God,” it is his prayer that this recording will be used as another
means to strengthen, comfort and encourage all who believe and all who
will listen. “Instrumentals For Meditation, Healing and Peace” is an
extension of the Psalms project with the purpose stated in the title. Prayerfully it will
direct the listener to the Lord Jesus as the ultimate source of true healing and peace.
In July 2010, Jim and Susie released
"Blessed!" This recording is filled with messages of faith,
hope, love, and healing that can only come from the Lord. They
consider it an honor and tremendous blessing to be able to express their
testimonies and prayers of personal praise in the form of music as God
ministered to them in building this recording! There is a wide range of musical styles including contemporary jazz, old
school funk, southern gospel, contemporary praise and worship and
Caribbean, but for each song the focus is Jesus Christ. Their
daughter, Melody contributed significantly to 6 of the 14 tracks singing
and arranging background vocals. Melody is also featured on one of
the tracks, "I Don't Need Anything But You" which she wrote, arranged and
sang. More info, samples and lyrics are available on the
listen page.
In live performances, Jim worked for
several years with soul/R&B/jazz group JMH, which he co-founded with
Susie. He has performed as music director/keyboardist for jazz
saxophonist Pamela Williams in her concerts in Omaha. He has performed as
an opening act on shows with James Brown, Bobby Watson, Jennifer Holliday,
Kevin Toney, and a number of national recording groups at jazz festivals
performing with saxophonist Chad Stoner. Jim's primary keyboard influences have been
Alex Bugnon, Joe Sample and Ramsey Lewis. In addition, his style of
playing has been very influenced by melodic instrumentalists in general
like guitarists Jonathan Butler and Peter White and saxophonists Kirk
Whalum and Gerald Albright.
Jim is greatly blessed to be able to
minister through music
with Susie, their daughter, Melody and different combinations of many of those with whom he has
worked as a producer, including
gospel rapper H.G. Filled, Chad
Stoner and his wife, vocalist Elaine Stoner, and vocalists David Newson
and Camille Metoyer Moten.
He is currently working as a counselor
for Omaha Public Schools at Skinner
Magnet Center. Jim previously taught Special Education for 21 years
for Bellevue Public Schools.
Jim and Susie are
incredibly blessed to be the parents of their daughter, Melody, a very gifted singer,
songwriter, dancer and now hairstylist, who gives them great joy!
Susie and Jim (photo by Paul Barnes)
Jim and Melody
