James Jenkins

Mr. Jenkins served for 17 seasons as performer, teacher, and Director of Artistic Personnel with the Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro, North Carolina. A 1983 graduate of the University of Miami, Mr. Jenkins served as the Principal Tubist with the Alabama Symphony for 10 years, along with holding faculty positions at the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa), The University of Montevallo, Samford University, Birmingham Southern College, and the University of Miami (1985 - 1986). After leaving Alabama in 1993, Mr. Jenkins was engaged as performer and Personnel Manager with the Naples Philharmonic for two seasons, and completed five seasons as Principal Tubist with the Santa Fe Opera. Mr. Jenkins presently resides in Jacksonville FL where he serves as the Executive Director/ Founder of Body & Soul - The Art of Healing, formerly served as Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Florida, and is presently an Adjunct Professor at the University of North Florida and Principal Tubist of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. A position he has held since 1995.

Known also as a Chamber Musician and Soloist, Mr. Jenkins has performed and recorded throughout the U.S. as a founding member of “The New Brass Ensemble”, a group comprised of five of the top African American classical musicians in the country. A frequent performer as soloist, Mr. Jenkins has been heard in numerous solo recitals, concerto performances with orchestra, and live radio broadcast. A champion of new music, Mr. Jenkins has inspired, commissioned, and premiered many new works including works by Mr. John Stevens (University of Wisconsin at Madison), Dr. William Banfield (Indiana University), Dr. John Price (Tuskegee University), Dr. Daniel Adams (University of Miami), Dr. Samuel Hamm (University of Florida), Dr.

Shawn Hundley (Bethune Cookman University), Mr. James Stephenson III, and Mr. Brian Balmages. Mr. Jenkins is also the founder and Director of the improvisational chamber group “Symbiosis”.

Solo engagements include: Soloist with Ukrainisches Kammerorchester Lemberger Virtuosen European Tour (2018). Concerto soloist with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra (2011, 2008, 2004, 2002, 1999), The Eastern Philharmonic orchestra (1999), and a tour in Europe as soloist with the AUKSO Chamber Orchestra of Poland (2001) and the Petras Chamber Orchestra of Greece (2002), premiering “Collage”, a double concerto for Tuba and Piccolo Trumpet commissioned by Mr. Jenkins and composed by Mr. Brian Balmages. Numerous solo recitals throughout the U.S. Recent Orchestral performances include European tours with the Boston Symphony and the Cleveland Orchestra. Mr. Jenkins can be heard on the CBS, EMI, and Crystal recording labels.