JIM SKINGER
It seems there was never a time when I wasn't strumming a guitar, playing the piano or practicing the accordion...but it was the guitar that held the most fascination for me. Practicing was never a problem; in fact my parents made me stop practicing to do other things.
All through high school I played - in local jazz bands and rock groups - and after graduation, the opportunity to play "on the road" was an irresistible challenge.
Motivated to study in a more formal way, I enrolled at Clark University Worcester MA. where I completed a music degree program. While at Clark, I initiated a guitar program which I directed for four years. At the same time, I continued to study guitar with such notable teachers as Walter Kaye-Bauer, Hartford, CT., Sophocles Papas, Washington, DC and with Alexander Bellows in Manhattan.
My studies in Europe took me to Santiago de Compostella, Spain and to London where I studied with the outstanding English
composer John Duarte and the lutenist Diana Poulton.
In the mid 80s, I turned to composing and arranging in both classical and jazz idioms. Several of my compositions have been
published in the U.S. and the U.K. The formation of a jazz trio in 1990, has led to many successful performances in the New York area.
1997 was a banner year for me with a debut performance with the Chappaqua Chamber orchestra with a performance of "Concierto
de Aranjuez and later at the Royal Festival Hall in London in a solo concert for the Latin American and Caribbean Cultural Society of London.
In May 1999 I was invited to give a solo concert in the Central Library of Moscow; the concert was sponsored by the " Music
Lover's Club of Moscow". I also performed for the guitar classes at the A. Schnitke Music Institute, Moscow and for the Primary School music classes for young musicians.
In July 2000 Italy: A series of performances celebrating
Italian/Anglo Culture.
Publications:
Contributor- Hal Leonard Guitar Method Book 1 Portal
de les Taules -a movement from Suite Ibiza Classical Guitar Magazine Feb.1992
Suite Ibiza (for solo guitar) -Columbia Publishing, U.S.A
Just For Friends (for Flute & Guitar)
Columbia Music, U.S.A
Many Roads
"Collection" The Trees
They Do Grow High
(for four guitars)
Prelude (Oboe and Guitar)
Mary Hamilton For Two Guitars
Sometime I Feel Like A Motherless Child
Awarded a Meet the Composer grant for Jazz Olé, 1994
A work for Jazz Quintet
Music critic Musical Opinion London Nov.'98 publication
Recordings:
Tape The Jim Skinger Trio 1995
C D Just for Friends 1996
C D Many Roads 2000
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.geocities.com/raised9th10526/
Track List:
1. Hommage a Luis Bonfa
2. Study No. 16
3. Un Petit Jazz Op.92
4. Waltz Op.8/4
5. Medallón Antiguo
6. In the Bleak Mid-winter
7. A Winter's Tale
8. Suite Ibiza
9. Idylle Pour Ida Op.93
10. Just For Friends
Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
It seems there was never a time when I wasn't strumming a guitar, playing the piano or practicing the accordion...but it was the guitar that held the most fascination for me. Practicing was never a problem; in fact my parents made me stop practicing to do other things.
All through high school I played - in local jazz bands and rock groups - and after graduation, the opportunity to play "on the road" was an irresistible challenge.
Motivated to study in a more formal way, I enrolled at Clark University Worcester MA. where I completed a music degree program. While at Clark, I initiated a guitar program which I directed for four years. At the same time, I continued to study guitar with such notable teachers as Walter Kaye-Bauer, Hartford, CT., Sophocles Papas, Washington, DC and with Alexander Bellows in Manhattan.
My studies in Europe took me to Santiago de Compostella, Spain and to London where I studied with the outstanding English
composer John Duarte and the lutenist Diana Poulton.
In the mid 80s, I turned to composing and arranging in both classical and jazz idioms. Several of my compositions have been
published in the U.S. and the U.K. The formation of a jazz trio in 1990, has led to many successful performances in the New York area.
1997 was a banner year for me with a debut performance with the Chappaqua Chamber orchestra with a performance of "Concierto
de Aranjuez and later at the Royal Festival Hall in London in a solo concert for the Latin American and Caribbean Cultural Society of London.
In May 1999 I was invited to give a solo concert in the Central Library of Moscow; the concert was sponsored by the " Music
Lover's Club of Moscow". I also performed for the guitar classes at the A. Schnitke Music Institute, Moscow and for the Primary School music classes for young musicians.
In July 2000 Italy: A series of performances celebrating
Italian/Anglo Culture.
Publications:
Contributor- Hal Leonard Guitar Method Book 1 Portal
de les Taules -a movement from Suite Ibiza Classical Guitar Magazine Feb.1992
Suite Ibiza (for solo guitar) -Columbia Publishing, U.S.A
Just For Friends (for Flute & Guitar)
Columbia Music, U.S.A
Many Roads
"Collection" The Trees
They Do Grow High
(for four guitars)
Prelude (Oboe and Guitar)
Mary Hamilton For Two Guitars
Sometime I Feel Like A Motherless Child
Awarded a Meet the Composer grant for Jazz Olé, 1994
A work for Jazz Quintet
Music critic Musical Opinion London Nov.'98 publication
Recordings:
Tape The Jim Skinger Trio 1995
C D Just for Friends 1996
C D Many Roads 2000
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.geocities.com/raised9th10526/
Track List:
1. Hommage a Luis Bonfa
2. Study No. 16
3. Un Petit Jazz Op.92
4. Waltz Op.8/4
5. Medallón Antiguo
6. In the Bleak Mid-winter
7. A Winter's Tale
8. Suite Ibiza
9. Idylle Pour Ida Op.93
10. Just For Friends
Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
- CLASSICAL: Contemporary
- JAZZ: Latin Jazz
- MOOD: INTELLECTUAL