Album Notes

Jim Mair is currently an Associate Professor and director of instrumental Music at Kansas City Kansas Community College. A native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Mr. Mair graduated from the University of Mary (Bismarck, North Dakota) with a Bachelor of Science degree and the University of Missouri at Kansas City Conservatory of Music with a Master of Arts degree.

Mr. Mair has served on the faculty at the College of Southern Idaho, the International Music Camp and the Charlie Parker Academy of the Arts. In addition, he has served as a staff writer for the SAXOPHONE JOURNAL and is currently an artist/clinician for the Conn/Selmer Musical Instrument Company. He was the Co-Founder of The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra and served as the Artistic Director/Musical Conductor from 2003-2011.

Jim has conducted All-State Jazz Ensembles in North Dakota, South Dakota and Idaho. In addition, he has conducted the Kansas City All District Jazz Ensemble. As a saxophonist and bandleader he has performed at Birdland, Showman’s Cafe in Harlem, Carnegie Recital Hall, the Duchin Room in Sun Valley, Idaho and at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.

Mr. Mair has released four compact discs, which have garnered critical acclaim earning him profiles in DOWN BEAT, JAZZ TIMES, CODA and JAM magazines. In 1991 he was voted Best Saxophonist by the readers of JAM. He has been profiled on the covers of the December 1991 and April 2004 issue of JAM, the June 2000 issue of the SAXOPHONE JOURNAL and the April 2004 issue of Kansas City’s ART magazine.

In 1995, the University of Mary selected Jim as Alumnus of the Year. In 1997, he was a finalist for The Idaho Governor’s Award. In 1998, Jim and his wife Mary were named Persons of the Year by the Twin Falls, Idaho Chamber of Commerce. Jim was inducted into the 2002 edition of Who’s Who of American teachers.