School of Music
College of Performing and Visual Arts
Drummer Jim White is an active performer and educator. His first musical experiences took place in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, where he studied percussion with Paul Yancinch, Mike Cebulski, Sonny Emory, and Jeff Sipe. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Jazz Studies/Composition from Middle Tennessee State University, and a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas. While a student at the University of North Texas, White performed with the renowned “One O’clock Lab Band” for three years. In 1992, Maynard Ferguson recruited White for his “Big Bop Nouveau” band with which he toured internationally. White is featured on Ferguson’s recording, Footpath Cafe.
In 1995, White moved to Nashville, Tennessee where he remains active as a performer
and studio musician. His versatility and unique sound have been featured on many jazz,
pop, and country recordings. White’s performance and recording credits feature a diverse
array of artists including J.D. Souther, Alison Krauss and Union Station, Crystal
Gayle, Jerry Douglas, Curtis Stigers, Charlie Peacock, Jack Pearson, Pam Tillis, Lorrie
Morgan, and Willie Nelson. In addition, he has performed with many top jazz artists
including Dick Oatts, Terell Stafford, Joey Defrancesco, Pat Bianchi, Greg Gisbert,
Jim Ferguson, Chris Potter, Annie Sellick, the North German Radio (N.D.R.) Big Band,
and many others.
As an educator, White has performed clinics at universities and jazz festivals throughout
the country. In 2005, he joined the faculty at the University of Northern Colorado,
where he currently serves as Professor of Music, Jazz Studies. He directs UNC’s Lab
II Big Band, supervises the jazz combo program, teaches jazz history, as well as applied
drum set students. In 2010, one of his students was selected as the winner of the
“Percussive Arts Society International Jazz Drum Set Competition.” White also directs
The Vanguard Combo, which was selected as “Best College Small Jazz Group” by Downbeat
magazine in 2010 and 2011. White can be heard regularly with the UNC Faculty Quartet,
which features Dana Landry, Steve Kovalcheck, and Erik Applegate. He currently co-leads
the Colorado Jazz Orchestra, a big band featuring many of the finest jazz musicians
in the Northern Colorado area.
Jim White is proud to be an artist/clinician for Yamaha Drums, Sabian/Crescent Cymbals,
Remo Drum Heads, Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets, and Humes & Berg Cases.
Jazz History, Jazz Drum Set, Big Band/Small Jazz Ensembles, Music Production, Music Composition
Winds of the Gullah, Big Band Chart, UNC Jazz Press
Deacon Lunchbox, Big Band Chart, UNC Jazz Press
Lament for Emmett Till, Big Band Chart, UNC Jazz Press
Discography
http://www.jimwhitemusic.com/discography
Page Last Updated: Today | Contact for this Page: College of Performing and Visual Arts
Privacy Policy | Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity/Title IX Policy & Coordinator
