Jim Connerley

Pianist Jim Connerley has been an active member of the tri-state jazz community since 1990. He graduated, magna cum laude, with a master's degree from the Indiana University School of Music. He has performed with such internationally known jazz artists as Barry Ries, Don Braden, Othello Molineaux, Rich Perry and Delfeayo Marsalis. Since moving to the Cincinnati area he has been a member of some of its finest jazz groups including the Pat Harbison Quintet, the Cohesion Jazz Ensemble and the salsa band, Tropicoso. Currently he is a member of the Art Gore Quartet, the John Zappa Quartet, Salsa Brava, the Brent Gallaher Quartet, the Dan Faehnle Quartet, the Cohesion Jazz Ensemble and the popular rock band, The Hiders.

Along with his own jazz trio, Jim also leads the United Methodist Jazz trio, an exciting group who performs jazz treatments of gospel songs, hymns and spirituals. Their album, Spirit Songs, re-released in 2006 received critical acclaim from both jazz and liturgical circles. Music critic Larry Nager of the Cincinnati Enquirer gave the album 4-* stars and called it *music of the highest level.*

He also leads the Vintage Keys Project, a group dedicated to music showcasing the Fender Rhodes and Wurlitzer electric pianos. The group performs classic arrangements by artists such as Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Cannonball Adderley and Dave Douglas.

Jim has appeared on nearly twenty CDs including the recent releases, Vanessa*s Song by Brent Gallaher, A Road Less Traveled by the Pat Harbison Quintet and Contrast by vibraphonist Rusty Burge. Currently he is working on an album of jazz duos featuring performances by some of the area*s best artists.

Jim has been a jazz educator on the university level since 1990. He has taught at Miami of Ohio University and the DePauw University School of Music. Currently he is a member of the jazz faculty at the University of Louisville School of Music.