Rowan McJimsey

Born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Rowan McJimsey began playing piano at age four, and started studying jazz at age eleven with trombonist and harmonica player Phil Arnold. Shortly thereafter, he began playing numerous gigs with renowned Albuquerque-based jazz vocalist Carla Van Blake, with guitarist Steve Terwilliger, bassist Micky Patten, and saxophonist Arlen Asher. Concurrently, he joined the Youth Jazz Collaborative of New Mexico, a jazz ensemble for middle- and high-school students, directed by Arnold.

At age thirteen, Rowan began studying with pianist and University of New Mexico music professor Jim Balagurchik, who helped him develop his solo piano repertoire and introduced him to more advanced theory concepts. At age sixteen, he began studying with jazz pianist, bassist, and former Berklee professor John Funkhouser, who introduced him to more advanced improvisation concepts and increased his technical proficiency at the keyboard.

During his early- and mid-teens, Rowan had the opportunity to play and perform in a variety of venues. In 2017, he entered the John Lewis Piano Competition, held in conjunction with the New Mexico Jazz Festival, and earned Second Place. In the Summers of 2018 and 2019, upon the invitation of Van Blake, he performed with many of Southern California’s finest musicians at Lizfest, an annual event held in honor of Elizabeth Weedmark. In addition, Rowan was featured regularly on The Children’s Hour, a weekly radio program presented by Katie Stone and aired live on KUNM Public Radio and streamed world-wide. Throughout his years playing music, Rowan has enjoyed playing across genres, including jazz, rock, pop, Salsa, and funk.

In addition to performing, Rowan is a music producer and film composer, having worked on projects for the University of New Mexico’s Film department.

Awards

John Lewis Piano Competition, Second Place, 2017

Gear

Yamaha CP88

Korg microKORG

Nektar Impact LX61

Tags