James Vernon

Pianist

James Vernon undertook classical piano study with French-born pianist Pierrette Mouledous. He and a few friends from his school band first began listening to, and experimenting with, jazz via records during their teen years. During his university career Vernon concentrated in the areas of jazz piano, jazz improvisation, and non-jazz theory and composition. As a member of school ensembles during this period, he performed with Bobby Shew, with Clark Terry, with members of the Don Ellis Band, and at the Wichita Jazz Festival. He was the recipient of awards for scholarship and for music performance and composition. Since 1981 Vernon has enjoyed a full-time career as a pianist and composer. He works as a soloist, in recording situations, as an accompanist, and as a member of various ensembles. His original music and arranging have been presented on public radio (in a live one-hour broadcast), at arts festivals, at colleges and universities, and as part of various commercial projects. The James Vernon Trio was formed in late 2002. Bassist Kyp Green and drummer Eddie Dunlap joined Vernon to complete the group. The trio was created to combine existing modern jazz with Vernon’s original work, synthesizing elements of jazz and “classical” (non-jazz) palettes. The ensemble performs in listening environments – in places where attendance is motivated by the love and appreciation of music as an art form. Vernon is a member of ASCAP.