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James Leary

Bassist/Composer resides in Los Angeles has performed with Symphonies and major music legends.

About Me

JAMES H LEARY 3RD

aka JIMMY LEARY ,JAMES LEARY

Bassist ��” Composer

James was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. Studied piano and played in Rhythm & Blues bands featuring Teroy Betton,Ben Pruitt ,Thomas East,Robert Trezvant,David ii and Jimmy Mayers and York Wilbon around Arkansas.He later became a versatile Bassist performing with

Art Porter ,Sr ,Albert King ,Little Johnny Taylor, Major Lance graduated UAPB(U of Arkansas ,Pine Bluff)

BA ,Music ED. In San Francisco studied Bass w/Charles Siani,Ortiz Walton ,played with Oakland Symphony/San Francisco Ballet Orch at the same time began a long career as bassist w John Handy,George Duke,

Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby Hutcherson,Harold Land,Pharoah Sanders, Eddy Jefferson, Esther Phillips, Thelonius Monk, Max Roach, Joe Henderson, Eddy Harris, Randy Weston,

Eddy ”Cleanhead” Vinson, Toots Theilman,Anthony Braxton, Oliver Lake, Dewey Redmond., Jon Hendriks,Earl Hines, Count Basie(1982) .Played Broadway Shows in New York ,Los Angeles and San Francisco He ,moved to Los Angeles(1982),studied film scoring with Albert Harris scored 2 short films

joined Sammy Davis ,Jr (1984-89),Nancy Wilson(1991-1993).Recorded “DOUBLE BASS Choir cd (w/5 string basses) featuring Al McKibbon,John Clayton. James rejoined Count Basie Orchestra in 1995 and toured the world with Count Basie Orchestra for 15 years(left Jan 2012) winning 2 Grammy awards along the way. He continues to Reside in Los Angeles and a CD release in April 2012 that features all original music as well as the late legends Joe Henderson,Billy Higgins,Eddy Marshall on music recorded in 1980 and 1995 with Big Band and small groups.

My Jazz Story

It opened the free flow of creativity. I first heard my uncles play Boogie Woogie as a child.I met Art Porter Sr and Charles Thomas!Hank Crawford at The Flamingo in Little Rock,Arkansas. Ahmad Jamal Learn your instrument,Listen to the greats,Learn the music,Play and have outside interests.