My name is Kimj. I am a mutli-instrumentalist. The name of my company is IANPB Productions. I live in Ft.Lauderdale.
My uncle David introduced me to John Coltrane’s “My Favorite Things” and I was hooked. I was nine years old and fortunately for me there was a 1929 silvertone alto sax in our attic. the next day I took it to school and asked Mr. Hodges our music teacher to show me how to play it. I allowed him to show me some basic fundamentals and after three lessons thanked him and never looked back. I’ve been playing ever since picking up other instruments over the years.
I love to watch people’s faces when they see me come in with my equipment. It looks like there’s a band and when I start and they see its only me they are astounded.
I decided to play jazz because it was also my mother’s music. And before she passed in 2009 she no longer knew the artist but she remembered the songs. Her favorite was “In a sentimental mood”. I love that song because she loved it.
I joined Wijsf because I wanted to meet other
women musicians and to be a part of something bigger than myself. I want to grow in my discipline and the only way to do that is to play with others. There is a lot of diversity in WIJSF. I am working on a cd to be out by the end of this year.
The biggest risk I ever took was when I decided at nine to play this music. To continue through the criticism and hard times. I’ve worked with some really great guys. Mike Carpenter and Terry Edwards gave me a voice when I played with them, encouraged me and were very supportive. I have always had to deal with other peoples perception of what I should be.
When I say I play jazz people assume that I sing. The word “play” should give them a hint but it goes right over their heads. In the late 90’s I headed an all girls band but they decided that jazz was “too hard” for them and we broke up. I have no idea what they are doing today musicially.
Jazz has always inspired me. I listen to all kinds of music but my role models are too many to mention.
In 5 years I would like to be teaching/playing music full time.
To relax I like to journal, walk the beach, go to the movies and listen to my extensive record and cd collection.I love music.
I am now in the process of teaching my self how to play a fretless 5 string bass.
I can be reached reached on: www.Facebook.com/Kimj
www.wijsf.com/Kimj
NOTE: KimJ is one of 14 women in music that WE interviewed for the WE Magazine for Women in Music Spring 2011 Issue. You can read more about these Women in music by visiting: http://www.staging.wemagazineforwomen.com/pdfs/2011WEMagSpring.pdf
