Jim E. Anderson
More information about Jim is available in the these sections.
About Jim Anderson the Teacher, Mentor and Coach
About Jim Anderson the Musician and Singer.
Teaching Experience and Qualifications
Jim started teaching professionally in 1997 from his Andersong Music Percussion Studio and has taught over 4,200 lessons to more than 110 students. He has taught students from as young as 5 years old to 85 years old. He is a conscientious and enthusiastic teacher and enjoys helping students define and attain their musical goals. He continually strives to sharpen his teaching techniques by attending regular music and percussion meetings, conventions and lessons where he learns valuable skills to apply to his growing teaching practice. He considers himself a ‘student of the drums’ and believe that there is always something new to learn and incorporate into his own playing, performing and teaching.
Jim’s main purpose in teaching is to help students define and attain their musical goals, learn the fundamentals of music and drumming as well as developing an awareness of different styles of music. Lesson times are divided between developing good technique, learning to read music, conquering the 40 PAS rudiments and learning to listen (ear training). Students will be introduced to a variety of musical styles and encouraged to make them part of their playing. This integrated approach will create a well rounded drummer and musician. Every student is different and requires individual attention. Therefore lessons are uniquely tailored to each students’ individual needs and desired musical outcomes.
The key to success in any educational setting is inspiration. No amount of training will be effective if the individual is not inspired to learn or is unwilling to spend time in important practice hours. I believe that success in the performing arts can quickly foster success in other educational areas by building confidence and self-esteem through practice and accomplishment.
Jim has gone through the “live scan” fingerprint and background check process and has taught in many local middle and high schools as an instructor and coach. He highly encourages participation in school music programs for those students who are afforded that opportunity. He carries business insurance for both his private studio and his on-site school activities.
Jim is a proud member of the following organizations:
- The Percussive Arts Society (PAS)
- The National Association of Rudimental Drummers (NARD)
- The National Association for Music Education (MENC)
- The California Alliance for Jazz
- The Jazz Education Network
- The Vic Firth Education Team
- Hudson Teacher Integration Program
- The Professional Drum Teachers Guild
In addition Jim holds an AA degree in Liberal Arts from Indian Valley College in Marin County and a BS degree in Business Administration from Sonoma State University. He enjoys cooking, fine wine, good movies (especially science fiction), classical music and opera, gardening, cycling, camping, reading and maintaining several blogs and websites.
The Musician and Singer
Jim E. Anderson is a full-time Musician, Singing Drummer, and Music Teacher specializing in big band and small group jazz and classic style rock and soul with a big dose of New Orleans funk thrown in for good measure. His singing voice has been compared to Van Morrison and his drumming style is a mixture of Kenny Aronoff, Stanton Moore and Gene Krupa. His many musical influences include Louis Armstrong, Levon Helm and Don Henley (both singing drummers) as well as Ludwig van Beethoven and The Beatles. He sings and plays from the heart and soul to convey emotional and authentic musical expression regardless of musical genera. He has extensive professional touring and recording experience and is available for lessons, clinics, recording sessions and live performance.
Jim’s earliest musical performance experiences were in elementary school bands and choirs and Christmas Caroling with his church. His dad would put sideboards on one of their 5-ton flatbed trucks and fill the bed with straw. They would then slowly drive around town until someone would show up with hot chocolate. He began playing and studying drums in the fifth grade and continued playing and singing through high school. He continued his music studies at Cabrillo College in Aptos, California where he studied jazz and took drum lessons from George Marsh in San Francisco. He was a regularly featured solo performer in the award winning Cabrillo College Jazz Ensemble. It was this time that he started performing in local bands playing drums, guitar and singing. In addition he started writing songs and arrangements for his bands and others. He left school to go on tour.
Hi professional performing credits include tours, TV and recordings with:
- The Pointer Sisters
- Maria Muldaur
- The Cockrell-Santos Band (A&M Records recording artists)
- Elvin Bishop
- The Tom Johnston Band (original and founding member of the Doobie Brothers)
- The Texas Chainsaw Band
- Hearts on Fire (a Bammie Award winning Country band)
- Peter Rowan
- Norton Buffalo
- Roy Rogers (the blues guy)
- Alex Call (song writer extraordinaire)
- Johnny Colla (from Huey Lewis & the News) and the Lucky Devils
- Bill Kirchen (rockabilly guitarist and Grammy nominee)
He currently performs with several local bands. For more information on these bands visit Jim’s Band Page.
- WaterFall Jazz
- Chains Required
- The Columbia College Big Band
- Crazy Ivan
- Generations
- The Soul Mates
