Jazz Musicians Serie - 7

Jim Donica
Biography
Los Angeles born and New York based jazz bassist Jim Donica has been playing professionally on the American and international music scenes for over 20 years. He has worked extensively with some of the world’s finest musical artists such as Maynard Ferguson, Joe Strummer, Ron Affif, Chita Rivera, and The David Becker Tribune. His performance credits include John Handy, Pete Christlieb, Peter Erskine, Tom Breckline, Clarence Penn, Cyrus Chestnut, Bruce Barth, Jim McNeeley, Luarence Marable, Vinny Calliuda, and Mike Cain.
Jim leads his own jazz group called Urban Survival that showcases his composition skills as well as his instrumental artistry. Recently Jim could be found working at Fienstein’s in New York City in Chita Rivera’s critically acclaimed show “And Now I Sing”; playing a jazz cruise with guitar virtuoso Eric Wollman who split the bill with the great Rufus Reid and his trio; and headlining at Symphony Space. He fills out his calender working on Broadway shows such as “Charlie Brown,” and currently the Tony award winning “Ave Q”(2004). Jim will be opening on Broadway in a brand new show with Chita Rivera called “The Dancers Life”. He is presently working on a quintet album which includes Peter Erskine, Randy Brecker, Bruce Barth, and Justin Flynn.
Jim has also studied with some of the finest musicians and teachers. Including David Baker, John Pattituchi, Ray Brown, Bunny Brunell, Rufus Reid, Gary Pratt, Ed Meares, Bruce Bransby, and Monte Budwig. Jim attended Cal State University Northridge 1981-1985. From 1985-1990, Jim stayed busy recording and touring with various artists including, David Becker Tribune and extensive tours with Joe Strummer and Maynard Ferguson. After receiving Scholarships to study with the great jazz educator, David Baker at Indiana University, in 1990 Jim returned to college to deepen his development as an artist and composer. In Indianapolis he was in demand as a freelancer and played in David Baker’s “21st Century Bebop Band.” Upon Completion of his studies in 1995, Jim made the big move to New York City where he has been refining his art and staying busy leading his own group, playing recording sessions, jazz gigs, fusion gigs and loving his wife Karen and son Justin.
Discography
1986 David Becker Tribune-Long Peter Madsen (MCA)
1988 David Becker Tribune-Siberian Express (MCA)
1990 Joe Strummer and the Rockabilly War (movie score “Permanent Record”)
1992 Maynard Ferguson- Big Bop Nouveau
1994 Cathy Morris- On The Run
1994 Janiece Jaffe -Keep The Flame Alive
1996 Quinn Lemley -Sirens...songs of the silver screen
1998 Quinn Lemley -Cocktails with a Twist
1999 Urban Survival-Urban Survival (leader)
2001 Violet- We Both Know Its Out There (wine and vinyl music)
2004 Urban Survival- Storry Hill (leader)
2005 Teeter Gray-Blue Love www.teetergray.com
2005 Eric Wollman- Mood Euthymic (Impression Records) www.ericwollman.com
2006 Jim Donica – Stepping Up (Apria Records)
http://jimdonica.com/presskit/jimdonicabio.pdf