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James E. Shearer

Jazz and Classical Tubist who serves as Regents Professor of Music at New Mexico State University

About Me

Jim Shearer holds a D. M. A. in Performance and Literature and a Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. He teaches tuba, euphonium, music history, and music appreciation to graduate, undergraduate, and honors students at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, where he holds the joint titles of Regents Professor of Music and Distinguished Achievement Professor. In addition, he presents concerts, master classes, and lectures as a Yamaha Performing Artist. Dr. Shearer is the author of two music appreciation textbooks, “Music 101” and “Jazz Basics,” both published by Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co. These books have been positively received throughout the academic musical community and are currently being used by a number of colleges and universities. He also has six commercial CDs released on the Summit Records label including the jazz titles “The Memphis Hang” (with Charlie Wood), “Secret Frets,” and his most recent project, “Cloud Bowling with Claude Bolling.” This extensive new double-CD set features a complete performance of the seven-movement “Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio” by Claude Bolling (played on tuba, of course,) along with a new companion suite cleverly titled “Cloud Bowling” by pianist and composer Chris Reyman. There are also three classical titles including “The Haunted America Suite” (new music for horn, tuba, and piano, made in collaboration with his wife, Celeste), “Music For Tuba and String Quartet” (with the La Catrina String Quartet), and “Sultry & Eccentric: The Music of James Grant” (a solo project featuring his wife, which he produced and on which he performed the Double Concerto for horn and tuba).

My Jazz Story

I love jazz because of all the styles of music I've performed, it's then one to which I feel the closest. It's also my favorite topic to teach! If I can get five or six students per semester to add "Kind Of Blue" to their playlists, I've done my job in helping save jazz. (Which makes me feel really old! I used to say, "if I can get five or six students to BUY a copy of "Kind of Blue...."

My House Concert Story

No house concerts, but I ran an 8-10 show concert series at New Mexico State University for 13 years, before the funding was cut, of course! Our best jazz shows included the late, great Junior Mance and the Jim Cullum Jazz Band.