Jimmy B
Instruments: Guitar, Flute
Styles: Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, Funk, Showtunes, Swing, New Age, Bossa Nova
Jimmy B
Instruments: Guitar, Flute
Styles:
Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, Funk, Showtunes, Swing, New Age, Bossa Nova
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
Bachelor of Arts, Professional Music, Berklee College of Music, Boston MA:
Telly Award: For Music soundtrack to the Christmas video "Almost Home". Berklee College of Music’s “Professional Music Scholarship”: Recipient for outstanding musicianship, compositional and academic achievements. Summit Award for excellence in marketing:
“Every once in a while, a bold face name in the entertainment industry slips into Madison under the radar, like Jim B. did six years ago.” Doug Moe, The Capital Times, Madison WI. Jim B’s deep-rooted music industry experience, and his passion for helping students be who they are, within the music industry and life, combines to make him an inspiring teacher. He has early beginnings as a highly talented musician. Along the way he has created an army chest of connections and networks. He has an unrelenting persistence to convert ideas into actions that produce results. He has garnered acclaimed media attention for his company 180 Music and developed credibility within the industry for having a reputation as an innovative thinker.
Mr. Jim B was President of Monarch Records, a division of Tambourine Inc. in San Francisco. He also served as Director of Artist and Repertoire (A&R) for Tambourine's three labels (Unison Records in Nashville and Sugo and Monarch Records in San Francisco.) As Director of A&R, he was responsible for product development, artists and music production on all three labels. As President of Monarch Records he led and managed teams that developed creative and unique marketing concepts for music releases. His teams set the standard for bridging online and bricks and mortar channels for today's specialty music marketplace targeted to adults.
He has written, produced and performed on a wide variety of CDs found in major specialty market outlets targeted to adults worldwide (Sharper Image, Brookstones, Bed Bath & Beyond, W.H Smith, American Greetings, Borders, etc.). In an eclectic range of styles, Brandmeier has developed concepts, composed and produced CD's that have sold hundreds of thousands of copies worldwide. Across a diverse span of styles, Mr. Jim B delivers impeccably tailored master tracks that have become favorites with music buyers and retailers alike.
He has also written and produced music for numerous television programs, feature films and TV movies. He received a Telly award for his soundtrack to the Christmas special "Almost Home". He has written, produced and scored national, regional and local radio and TV jingles. Jose Feliciano introduced him at Carnegie Hall. Jim B performed with the legendary artist who debuted one of his original songs. He has worked with many other legendary jazz, pop and blues figures as well. An accomplished jazz flutist, Mr. Jim B's CDs have found loyal audiences in 25 countries worldwide. Jim's philosophy in business & in life is very simple. “Be Who You Are… Use your talent to serve”
I “love” teaching music to “kids from one to ninety-two”! I’ve been teaching, playing, writing and producing music forever, and my passion for all things music just keeps growing and growing. I think learning and playing music should be “fun” not another dreary detail in schedules that can sometimes be filled with dreary details. I love to instill and nurture a lifetime love of music. Because I’ve been involved in the “real world” of the music industry I can teach guitar and flute students, not only how to read and play but to improvise and play.
I also have deep experience in song writing and producing and love to help students express themselves through words and music. I am the father of three daughters for whom I wrote a book titled, Be Who You Are, A Song For My Children. The book is actually based on a song I wrote for them titled Be Who You Are. I’m a Telly Award winning composer/producer who’s worked directly with celebrity artists raging from Eric Clapton, Carole King, Avril Lavigne and Joss Stone, to Wynona Judd, Jason Mraz and Dave Mathews among others; written jingles for brands from Mazda to Mattel. I’m a seasoned musician whose played everywhere from town halls to Carnegie Hall and a teacher, passionate about inspiring students to create a life of abundance and fulfillment. I have a deep-seated dedication to help people transcend inner and outer obstacles and understand the point of life, so they may live fulfilled and happy lives—which at its core, is the essence of my book Be Who You Are, A song for my Children.
I combine basic method books with added improv, pop tunes etc. that grabs the student’s interest and expands their musical world-view. I make it fun and get them out of the comfort zone of the book, by letting go and trying new things. I may have flute students improvise on the blues, and in the process teach them about the basic 12 bar blues structure, which is the foundation for all of pop music. I’ll have flute/guitar students learn current hits that they love and use them to teach improvisation. It all depends on the student. I teach songwriting. To that end, I may have the student come up with a hook, write a poem, or even an idea for a song about something that is meaningful to them. I help them form the melody, chord structures and song structures. Sometimes, it’s possible to record what the student has come up with. My approach is tailored to the student’s level, interests and personality. I strive to make it fun, inspiring and motivating.
Each student should progress at their own pace—one that instills passion, and makes them enjoy practicing, and love coming to lessons. Since every student is unique, every approach is unique. By trying to find out what inspires students I can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and needs and get them "fired up" about music. I love to give the student a sense of accomplishment that expands into all areas of their life. The process of learning and loving music has the power to do that.
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