JAZZ CAMP FACULTY MEMBER

Jim Zimmerman

Jim Zimmerman has had a varied career in drumming. After graduating from the San Francisco Conservatory, Jim spent the following years working in the Bay Area playing jazz, and doing recording, studio and show work. He became staff percussionist and drummer at the Circle Star Theater where he performed with everyone from Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett to the Temptations, Spinners, and Jackson Five.

Jim left the Circle Star Theater to join the legendary jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi Trio with whom he recorded some of the Charlie Brown Peanuts specials. In 1982, he joined the British jazz singer Cleo Laine. He recorded five albums with Cleo including the Grammy winning "Live at Carnegie" double album. From 1992 to 2004 toured with jazz Grammy winning vocalist Dianne Schuur.

Putting his reading skills to work, Jim transcribed the drum examples in volumes one and two of Chuck Sher's "The New Real Book." He has composed works for Cleo and has written pieces for vibraphone as well.

Jim's recording credits include Vince Guaraldi's "Peanuts" specials, David Byrne's "True Stories", "Rumblefish", Robin William's movie "Bicentennial Man", and the four albums with Cleo Laine. He has also recorded and played with Toots Thielmans, Joe Williams, Jerry Mulligan, Art Pepper and Blue Mitchell.