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| Jim's life as a trumpet player began by chance. His 7th grade class was asked, "Who wants to be in music," and Jim raised his hand, but to this day he cannot explain exactly why. His first choice for an instrument was the trombone, but luckily for him (and every one of us that has come to love his playing), the school was out of trombones, and he was assigned a cornet. His early influences included Herb Alpert, whose recordings Jim describes as "happy music", and whose album cover for Whipped Cream & Other Delights inspired the imaginations of generations of adolescent boys. Another strong influence was Doc Severinsen. Jim remembers listening to Doc Severinsen's Closet in total amazement that anyone could play an F above high C. Not long after that, Jim's band director brought in a reel-to-reel with "Ole" and introduced him to the music of Maynard Ferguson. He was hooked. For years he worked hard trying to figure out the intricacies of the trumpet's extended range. By college he was still struggling with a high C, and it was not until he got out of school that things started to come together. Jim saw Maynard live for the first time in 1973. Lin Biviano played lead on that band, and Jim had heard Lin's work with the Buddy Rich band, most notably on the tune "Space Shuttle." Being a shameless trumpet geek, Jim introduced himself to Lin right there on the bandstand, beginning a friendship that continues to this day. Lin introduced Jim to the Rhinehart and Stevens methods, and Jim was a quick study. Using the Stevens method, his upper register blossomed, but the tone was not there and he could not connect the entire range of the horn on a single chop setting. Jim perservered in his desire to be a professional trumpet player, and during the 80's he played in a rock/pop band called Fantasy. (Jim still performs regularly with Fantasy in the St. Louis area.) In 1987 he took a lesson with Bobby Shew, who taught him wedge breathing. The final piece of the puzzle came when Jim met Roger Ingram. Roger gave him MF's Giardinelli mouthpiece, which Jim eventually learned to play. The key was to not overblow, and to let the muscles at the corners and the natural resistance of the horn do the work. The results can be heard on all of Jim's albums, perhaps most impressively on the 1994 release, Lip Trip. Along the way, he has worked hard to become a talented improvisor and all-around player. Jim has recorded several albums since, and all are available on his website, www.jimmanley.net. He gigs in St. Louis, playing flugelhorn with piano or trumpet with guitar in warm jazz settings during the week, and wailing out with his Wild, Cool, & Swingin' Orchestra on weekends. On a personal note, Jim is a hell of a great guy. If you are in the St. Louis area, do not miss a chance to meet him and hear him play. | |
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