Jim Hart

b. c. 1983, Cornwall, England. Playing drums and piano from infancy, at the age of 11 Hart was a member of Cornish youth orchestras, playing classical and jazz. In his early teens he won the John Dankworth Award for Most Promising Musician in a BBC big band competition. He studied at Chetham’s School of Music, Manchester, under Steve Berry and David Hassel, then at London’s Guildhall School of Music. In 2001-3 he played drums with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra before becoming a presence on the London jazz scene. Chiefly playing vibraphone, he has worked with Alan Barnes, Roger Beaujolais, Paul Clarvis, Martin Drew, Kai Hoffman, Mornington Lockett, Gwilym Simcock, Stan Sulzmann and Matt Wates.

Hart formed Gemini in 2003 with Ivo Neame (saxophone), Mick Coady (bass) and Tom Skinner (drums). In 2006, he won the British Jazz award for Rising Star and also a medal from the Worshipful Company of Musicians. Hart composes much of the music he performs with his group, displaying an affinity with jazz composers of previous generations although his work is clearly in tune with the moment. In addition to performing and composing, Hart teaches at John Dankworth’s Wavendon Music Centre and in various schools throughout the UK.