Jim Guerra BIO
Jim Guerra has been an active woodwind performer and educator since his graduation from Berklee School of Music. Mr. Guerra performs extensively with various artists and organizations throughout the Southwestern Pennsylvania Region. In August, 1997 Mr. Guerra was awarded a lifetime membership in the Pittsburgh Jazz Society. Jim Guerra has composed music for more than twenty years. He has arranged music for more than forty years including arranging for the US Navy Show Band when he was performing with them.
Jim Guerra has been an active woodwind performer and educator since his graduation from Berklee School of Music. Mr. Guerra performs extensively with various artists and organizations throughout the Southwestern Pennsylvania Region.
Once a member of the U.S. Navy Show Band, Guerra has performed with the Buddy Rich Band, the Woody Herman Band, Rosemary Clooney, Roger Humphries, Michel Legrand, and the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. He also traveled with the New York Touring Company’s production of “THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG”.
Jim Guerra has recorded with John Wilson’s Big Band, as well as the Twenty-First Century Swing Band, and Nancy Wilson both of which were recorded at the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guld.
Mr. Guerra is the founder, leader, and musical arranger for Pittsburgh’s Sax Pac, a Saxophone Quartet underscored with bass and guitar. He is also the leader of The Almost Famous Little Big Band and is a member of the John Wilson Big Band. In addition, Mr. Guerra has performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Civic Light Opera Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh Ballet Orchestra.
As an educator Mr. Guerra currently teaches on the adjunct faculty of Duquesne University, the Rogers School for the Creative and Performing Arts, and CAPA, the High School for the Creative and Performing Arts in Pittsburgh. PA. Additionally Mr. Guerra teaches private lessons and is responsible for directing and founding various jazz programs and ensembles within these music departments as well as for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association. He is also the chairperson for the City Music Center.
Jim Guerra continually promotes Jazz Education in the public schools by performing concerts each year for the Music Performance Trust Fund.
Throughout the years, Mr. Guerra has studied extensively with distinguished music teachers including Joe Viola, Charlie Marino, Phil Wilson, John LaPorta, David Liebman, John H. Wilson, Joe Allard, and Nestor Koval. His professional associations include: Executive Board Member of the Pittsburgh Musicians Union [American Federation of Musicians], Music Educator National Conference, [MENC], the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association [PMEA], and the International Association of Jazz Educators [IAJE].
In August, 1997 Mr. Guerra was awarded a lifetime membership in the Pittsburgh Jazz Society
Jim Guerra has been an active woodwind performer and educator since his graduation from Berklee School of Music. Mr. Guerra performs extensively with various artists and organizations throughout the Southwestern Pennsylvania Region.
Once a member of the U.S. Navy Show Band, Guerra has performed with the Buddy Rich Band, the Woody Herman Band, Rosemary Clooney, Roger Humphries, Michel Legrand, and the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. He also traveled with the New York Touring Company’s production of “THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG”.
Jim Guerra has recorded with John Wilson’s Big Band, as well as the Twenty-First Century Swing Band, and Nancy Wilson both of which were recorded at the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guld.
Mr. Guerra is the founder, leader, and musical arranger for Pittsburgh’s Sax Pac, a Saxophone Quartet underscored with bass and guitar. He is also the leader of The Almost Famous Little Big Band and is a member of the John Wilson Big Band. In addition, Mr. Guerra has performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Civic Light Opera Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh Ballet Orchestra.
As an educator Mr. Guerra currently teaches on the adjunct faculty of Duquesne University, the Rogers School for the Creative and Performing Arts, and CAPA, the High School for the Creative and Performing Arts in Pittsburgh. PA. Additionally Mr. Guerra teaches private lessons and is responsible for directing and founding various jazz programs and ensembles within these music departments as well as for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association. He is also the chairperson for the City Music Center.
Jim Guerra continually promotes Jazz Education in the public schools by performing concerts each year for the Music Performance Trust Fund.
Throughout the years, Mr. Guerra has studied extensively with distinguished music teachers including Joe Viola, Charlie Marino, Phil Wilson, John LaPorta, David Liebman, John H. Wilson, Joe Allard, and Nestor Koval. His professional associations include: Executive Board Member of the Pittsburgh Musicians Union [American Federation of Musicians], Music Educator National Conference, [MENC], the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association [PMEA], and the International Association of Jazz Educators [IAJE].
In August, 1997 Mr. Guerra was awarded a lifetime membership in the Pittsburgh Jazz Society