About Jim Harney

Jim attended James Madison University and graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Music degree in saxophone performance with minors in flute and clarinet. While still in school at JMU (in 1985), Jim began working at Busch Gardens playing in the live shows. He has since gone on to work for Busch Gardens as a band captain, stage manager, audio technician and instrumental supervisor. In addition to working at Busch Gardens, Jim has had a wide variety of experience in the music industry. He has performed with numerous types of groups including a stint on Holland America cruise line, a national touring company of "A Christmas Carol" and numerous freelance playing jobs around the tidewater area.

My most recent adventures are with Limelight and Hot House. Both of these groups were formed with the same core of musicians to play 2 different styles of music. Limelight and Hot House were formed with long-time friends and co-workers Norm Frigault (drums) and his wife Holly Hunt (vocals). They contacted me in the summer of 2006 and asked if I was interested in doing some playing, of course I said YES! They were actually looking for a bass player for a few gigs and looking at covering many styles of music that the upcoming gigs would require. I am currently playing saxes and singing with Limelight and playing bass and singing with Hot House. Limelight plays traditional jazz standards, some show tunes and a few pop tunes. Hot House is more up-beat playing pop, classic rock, blues, country and everything in between. These two groups provide a great variety of playing experiences, check my Calendar page for any upcoming dates with these groups.

A group that is close to my heart (and close to home!) is the Williamsburg Classic Swing Orchestra. The WCSO is a full-size (16-piece) Big Band that plays all of the great swing music from the 1930's and 1940's. This group was started in the early 1990's by my friends Steve Turner and Chuck Maranzano. In recent years, I have taken on the responsibility of being the webmaster for the group as well as assisting Steve Turner with the operation of the group. This group has played for parties, corporate events, holiday events, wedding receptions and many other events. For the past 6 years, the WCSO has been a featured group at First Night Williamsburg on New Years Eve. Look for the group again this year at First Night 2009. I generally play the lead tenor book (which includes clarinet and flute) with this group although I have played lead alto on a couple of occasions. I have also done some combo work with members of the WCSO. Check my Calendar page for upcoming gigs with the WCSO.

I play quite often with Buddy Clarke's Spirit of America Band out of Hampton, VA. This is a 10-12 piece band that mostly plays music from the 1930's and 1940's although we often throw in some tunes from '60's and beyond (even a few DISCO Tunes!). I play the lead tenor book with this group (which includes clarinet and flute) but I have played all of Buddy's sax books at one time or another. I have also had the privilege to play several "combo" (3-6 piece) gigs with Buddy Clarke. Please check my Calendar page for any upcoming gigs with Buddy's band.

Another group that I frequently play with is the Tidewater Saxophone Quartet. This group was started by myself and long-time friend and fellow saxophonist Jim Richmond while we were undergraduates at James Madison University. In the many years since, we have kept the group together (although the other 2 members have often changed) and we perform several times a year, specifically around the holiday season. I have had the privilege to write numerous arrangements for this group. I play soprano saxophone with this group although I have played the other books on occasion as well. We have performed for holiday events and weddings but we are always looking for more opportunities to perform. Check my Calendar page for any upcoming performances.