JIM HARNEY
Musician
Musician
Playing - Arranging - Recording - Music Directing - Teaching
My primary instrument is the saxophone but I also play flute, clarinet, and electric bass. I earned my Bachelor of Music degree in saxophone performance from James Madison University and began my graduate work at the University of Northern Colorado. Over the course of my career, I have gained a great deal of experience as a player and worked in many other aspects of the music business as well. I am a well-rounded musician with many years of experience.
I am primarily a saxophonist; I am skilled on soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone. I also double on clarinet and flute. In addition to playing woodwinds, I also play electric bass. I have worked professionally on all of these instruments.
Although I consider myself a "freelance" musician, I am a regular member of many established groups around the Hampton Roads area.
I am the bassist/saxophonist/vocalist for the rock/top 40/pop band, Hot House. I also serve as music director, providing all of the arrangements and technical support (sound and lights). Hot House is a fun band that plays a great repertoire including Motown, Classic Rock, '70s Pop and Disco, '80s Pop, and hits from today. I am fortunate to perform as a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist with this very talented group of musicians.
To learn more, visit the Hot House web site.
Over the past several years I have had the opportunity to play with The Michael Clark Band as a substitute musician. Early in 2018, I began playing more frequently, filling in for their horn players. In the late summer, I was offered (and accepted) a full-time position in the band. I play alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, and flute with them. I sing a little bit with them as well. The Michael Clark Band plays old school Rhythm & Blues, Motown, Classic Rock and Blues. The Michael Clark Band features Michael Clark on guitar and vocalist Tracy Clark. They have been performing around the Hampton Roads area and beyond for several years and are one of the busiest working bands in the area
To learn more, visit the The Michael Clark Band web site.
I currently serve as the lead alto saxophonist and co-director of the Williamsburg Classic Swing Orchestra. The WCSO is a full-size (17-piece) big band that plays all of the great swing music from the 1930s and 1940s as well as some modern big band arrangements. This group was started in the early 1990s and has been performing consistently ever since. This group has played for private parties, holiday parties, corporate events, wedding receptions, and many other events. For several years, the WCSO had been a featured group at "First Night Williamsburg" on New Years Eve. The highlight of the year for the WCSO is the annual "A Big Band Christmas" concerts held at the historic Kimball Theater. In 2018, we performed our 10th annual "A Big Band Christmas" concert at the Kimball Theater.
The WCSO has recorded two CDs which are available for purchase through our web site. Our "A Big Band Christmas" CD contains 14 tracks of great big band holiday music, and our most recent "In The Mood" CD contains 14 tracks of great traditional big band music.
To learn more, visit the WCSO web site.
Another group of which I am a proud member is Limelight. I perform on saxophones, sing occasionally, and serve as music director. Limelight plays traditional jazz and show tunes as well as a few pop songs. Limelight is a 5-piece group featuring a female vocalist. This group has played for numerous weddings and other special events. In addition, this group has been fortunate to have had steady engagements at the Whitehall Restaurant and the Regency Room at the Williamsburg Inn. Limelight brings a touch of class to any event.
To learn more, visit the Limelight web site.
I play quite often with Glen Boswick and the Sound of Swing Orchestra. This is a 15-piece band that plays music from the 1930s through the 1970s with a few surprises thrown in. I play tenor saxophone and clarinet with this group.
To learn more, visit the Sound of Swing Orchestra web site.
Please check out my Calendar page for upcoming gigs with these groups and all of my other engagements.
I have also had the opportunity to play with many other groups in the area as well as touring shows and regional/national acts.
Some of the groups that I have played with include the following:
In addition to these groups, I have performed throughout the region with all types of groups:
I have had the opportunity to play some great venues in recent years:
Contact Me for booking information.
Below are several audio samples of my playing featuring different instruments in a variety of settings.
Below are 2 video samples of my playing.