Results for "Jim McNeely"

Jim McNeely

Born: May 18, 1949

Jim McNeely was born in Chicago into a musical family. His mother sang in the church choir. His father played piano by ear (only in the key of Gb). His sister and brother both took piano lessons; his brother still plays bass in and around the Chicago area. Jim started piano lessons at the age of six. When he was eight he started lessons with Bruno Michelotti, who taught him basic music theory as well as the piano. This was the beginning of Jim’s life-long love of theory and, subsequently, composition and arranging.

He began to get interested in jazz around the age of 12. He went to Notre Dame High School for Boys (now Notre Dame College Prep) partially because they had a big band, the Melodons, under the direction of Rev. George Wiskirchen.  Besides playing piano in the band he started writing big band arrangements, at the age of 16. Jim then went to the University of Illinois, again largely on the strength of their big band, led by John Garvey. There was a vibrant jazz scene there at the time: a fusion of school musicians like Ron Dewar (saxophone), Ron Elliston (piano), Charlie Braugham (drums) and Howie Smith (saxophone), along with musicians from the local scene like Ron and Cecil Bridgewater, Tony Zamora, Donald Smith and Maurice McKinley (most of whom were also involved with the university). He studied theory and composition with Ed London and Morgan Powell.

Counterpoint - Martin Wind-Jim McNeely-Ed Neumeister

By Martin Wind

Label: LAIKA Records
Released: 2023
Track listing: 1. Hiatus 6:09 2. Remember October 13th 6:35 3. Last Waltz 5:52 4. Counter my Point 5. Blame it on my Youth 6:11 6. Bittersweet 3:52 7. Gmunden 3:27 8. Rose 4:45 9. Extra Credit 9:04 10. In the Wee Small Hours of the morning 6:52

Zsòfia Boros, Filippo Sala, Azat Bayazitov, Ron Blake & More

by Ludovico Granvassu
December 19, 2023

Emerging saxophonists, emerging guitarists, established masters, and the good feeling that we're in the middle of a great time for jazz where tradition and innovation bring about tons of good music.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Freddy DeBoe “Lora Blu" Lora Blu--Single (Daptone) 0:16 ...

Anthony Branker & Imagine: What Place Can Be for Us? - A Suite in Ten Movements

by Angelo Leonardi
October 9, 2023

L'avventuroso post-bop del compositore Anthony Branker, ben espresso dall'album Beauty Within del quintetto Imagine, trova nuovi e più articolati sviluppi in questo What Place Can Be for Us?. Il gruppo conferma il chitarrista Pete McCann e la coppia Fabian Almazan e Linda May Han Oh ampliandosi fino a un medio organico con alcuni dei massimi giovani ...

Miho Hazama's M_Unit: Beyond Orbits

by Chris May
September 29, 2023

Beyond Orbits is the fêted composer and conductor Miho Hazama's fourth album with M_Unit. She founded the band in 2012, two years after moving from Tokyo to New York and while she was still studying for a masters in jazz composition at the Manhattan School of Music. Hazama released M_Unit's first album in ...

Russ Lossing, Artemis, Rudy Royston and More

by Jerome Wilson
August 30, 2023

This show features newer and older jazz from a great variety of players, such as Russ Lossing, Rudy Royston, the group Artemis, and the Frankfurt Radio Big Band which is heard in two contexts, with Julian Arguelles and with Jim McNeely. Playlist Henry Threadgill Sextett “I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" from The ...

Martin Wind, Jim McNeely and Ed Neumeister 'Counterpoint' — Playful Dialogue Of Bass Instruments

August 14, 2023

Some projects can't be planned, they just happen as a lucky coincidence. In the case of Martin Wind's new album Counterpoint it all started with an email he received from a musician in Europe. Wind, who has lived in Teaneck, New Jersey, for 25 years and has made a name for himself as a bassist and ...

From Chart to Reality: The Editorial Role of the Pianist in a Big Band

by Kurt Ellenberger
March 28, 2023

Note: This article was first published in the Jazz Education Journal in 2005, and was revised for All About Jazz. Preamble This article was written to address an issue that needed clarification, and indeed still needs clarification almost 20 years later, regarding the vagaries inherent in many of the published big band piano charts ...

Striving for Music: Joe Henderson and Phil Woods' Struggles Performing with Emphysema

by Bertrand Herer
March 19, 2023

Introduction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a highly prevalent respiratory condition, an important cause of lost life years and its importance is still growing. By 2030, COPD is expected to be the fourth leading cause of mortality, morbidity, and disability worldwide. It is usually caused by significant exposure to noxious particles or gases, including inhaled ...

Ethan Philion, Doug Wamble and More

by Jerome Wilson
March 15, 2023

This is a very eclectic show that includes tributes to Charles Mingus and Johnny Hodges by Ethan Philion and Owen Broder respectively as well as topical blues from Doug Wamble and South African jazz from Nduduzo Makhathini plus much more. Playlist Henry Threadgill Sextett “I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" from The Complete ...