Jim Corry
BA

Saxophonist Jim Corry teaches on the College's BA (Hons) Jazz degree.

Born in 1976, Jim Corry grew up in Orpington, South-East London. He started playing the Alto Saxophone at the age of 13 under the tutelage of Ray Scott, a leading saxophonist on the London scene.

At age 18, Jim left London and moved north to study at Leeds College of Music on the Jazz Studies degree course. At the College, he studied with Al Wood and Phil Chapman and was also a member of the internationally renowned Duke Ellington Repertory Orchestra under the direction of Tony Faulkner. He also branched out from playing the Alto exclusively and is now equally comfortable on the Soprano, Tenor and Baritone saxes. Through the College, Jim became well-known amongst his contemporaries, many of whom he still plays with today.

Jim has an ever increasing reputation on the national Jazz circuit. He is a fine and fluid soloist influenced by the likes of Phil Woods, Peter King and Rosario Giuliani. Jim has performed at Jazz Festivals up and down the country. Most notable were his appearances with Latin Jazz/Salsa group Bourbon Y Tequila in 2004, with which he opened the Scarborough Jazz Festival and performed on the main stage at the Manchester International Jazz Festival. Jim returned to the Manchester festival in 2005 with the Ken Marley Septet performing Ken's original suite Times Up!

Jim’s current projects include A Tribute to Atlantic Jazz – a new ensemble put together by Jim Corry and saxophonist/fellow alumnus James Russell to pay tribute to the record label that in the 1960s and early 70s embraced the period of 'soul jazz'. Jim has also been touring with the 70s legend Roy Wood and has performed live with Roy on the Jonathan Ross Show and the Paul O'Grady Show.

Jim has played at numerous festivals across Europe including the Jazz Stage at Glastonbury and Cork International Jazz Festival where he returned 3 consecutive years with funk group Essential Rhythm. He has also performed with The New Mastersounds with whom he toured Spain, Belgium, France and the Netherlands as well as venues across the UK including London’s Jazz Cafe in Camden. The band recorded live at BBC Maida Vale Studios for the Craig Charles Funk Show with Carleen Anderson and Jim can also be heard on the many singles they have released on the Cooker Records label.

Most recently Jim has been touring with Corinne Bailey Rae throughout the UK, Europe, Japan and the USA, after recording on her number one platinum selling album 'Corinne Bailey Rae'. His appearances with Corinne include Live Earth, the Brit Awards, MOBO Awards, Later… with Jools Holland, Glastonbury, Late Night with David Letterman, Oprah, Good Morning America, Live From Abbey Road, Jonathan Ross, V Festival, Rock in Rio, Top of the Pops, The Ellen Show and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. You can hear Jim on Corinne Bailey Rae's singles I'd Like To, Trouble Sleeping (you can also see him performing in that track's video) and Put Your Records On.

During summer 2008, Jim Corry toured as part of Mark Ronson's horn section, performing at festivals including Glastonbury, North Sea Jazz, Montreux Jazz, Sunday Best, Wakestock and Global Gathering.

As part of Mark Ronson's Version Players, the band supported Jay-Z on a UK tour, collaborated with Duran Duran for a one off gig and performed alongside Lily Allen at Glastonbury. Jim also got to perform with Mark at the renowned Lollapalooza Festival in Chicago, USA, in a line-up that included Radiohead, Kanye West, Cat Power, Nine Inch Nails, Gnarls Barkley and Rage Against the Machine.

www.jimcorry.co.uk
www.myspace.com/jimcorrysax