Jim Curlis taught Jazz Drum Set at Capital University and The Ohio State University, both in Columbus, Ohio for over a decade. Some of his many accomplished alumni students include; Jim Rupp (Performed with and for Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson, and Tony Bennett, Diane Shurr and President of Columbus Pro Percussion), Dane Richeson (Percussion Instructor at Lawrence University) and Philip Shipley (Principal percussionist with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra).
While a student musician at The Ohio State University, Jim won individual awards at The Notre Dame (2X) and Elmhurst Jazz Festivals.
Jim played under the direction of then Jazz Ensemble director, Tom Battenberg, who currently plays Trumpet for Pro Musica and The Columbus Symphony Orchestra. During that time Jim began a life long association with Tom in various groups. At present Jim is the drummer in a local Dixieland group of current and former Ohio State University Professors including Tom, called The High Street Stompers.
Jim specializes in recording specific types of music, including: World and Contemporary music, and
various Jazz styles.
Curlis Recording Studio offers an environment designed to enhance and promote a successful recording experience.
Jim offers consultation and impeccable creative services including compositional and arranging services and performance capability as needed. All can be sampled by clicking below from a most recent recording:
Echoes of the Heart, Song & Verse
During a long and outstanding career as a professional musician, Jim has always demonstrated a great versatility of playing styles. Even when a challenging performance situation occurs, Jim is more than capable of the task. His vast percussion palette includes styles that easily adapt to theater, Broadway, big band and Jazz trio performances.
Jim has performed with well-known entertainers such as Bob Hope, Perry Como, Red Skelton, Michele Legrande, and also in pit-orchestras for The Kenley Players Theater. Jim's list of many other performances include the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Jazz Orchestra, The Brazilian Quartet, for headliners at the Ohio State Fair and Michigan State Fair, and various local radio and TV broadcasts. He has even been the percussionist for the world renowned Barnum & Bailey Circus and The Longhorn Rodeo.
During his career, Jim has also played with many nationally known Jazz artists. This partial list consists of the Brecker Brothers, Sonny Stitt, Tom Scott, Bill Waltrous, Frank Foster, Marv Stamm, Roland Hanna, Oliver Nelson and internationally renowned vocalist, Joe Williams.
Among many of Jim's talents is that of a music composer and producer. Many of his compositions have been specifically featured and performed at Church services including local TV and radio broadcasts.
Along with Jim's many talents as a musician and composer, he is also owner of Curlis Studios, a recording studio located in Columbus Ohio. There, as a recording engineer specialist, he composes and records music for himself, other musicians, and many institutions including companies such as CAMCO; Chuz Alfred Music Co. and The Jim Luellen Music Co. Jim's most recent CD project titled Echoes of the Heart, Song & Verse, was featured in a news story on October 22, 2002 in the Accent section of the Columbus Dispatch, written by well known and featured writer-author, Mike Harden, titled, "The Power of Poetry".