Profile

Guitarist Jim Hershman has cast a wide net in his career as a professional musician. He has performed with such diverse artists as Lee Konitz, Steve Swallow, Jon Hendricks, The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, The Los Angeles Philharmonic, Billy Porter, Patty Lupone, Jimmy Webb and many others.

Born in 1961, Jim moved to Los Angeles from his native Sacramento, CA. in 1982 where he attended college and eventually became part of the L.A. music scene. In 1995 he moved to New York City to study at the Manhattan School of Music, focusing on both jazz and classical guitar. While studying at MSM, Jim formed The Other Quartet along with saxophonist Ohad Talmor and trumpeter Russ Johnson. This group won critical acclaim for their debut recording, "13 Pieces."

Recently Jim released his third CD as a leader, entitled "Partners in Crime," which teams him up with longtime Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra bandmates Bill Cunliffe on Hammond B-3 organ and Jeff Hamilton on drums. His other releases as a leader include "Small Talk" with bassist Eric von Essen and "342" featuring Lee Konitz, Scott Colley and Kenny Wollesen.

In 2003 Jim was invited to perform the Los Angeles and New York premiers of John Adam's piece "El Niño" with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. In the classical world he has also worked with the San Francisco Ballet, the Los Angeles Opera and once performed the original orchestration of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" with pianist/ conductor Michael Tilson Thomas.

Jim holds a B.A. in Political Science from the California State University, Northridge and an M.M. from the Manhattan School of Music. He continues to live in New York and is active in both the jazz and theatre communities.

Jim plays guitars made by Roger Borys, Greg Brandt and Taylor. He uses D'Addario strings exclusively.