JIM MCNEELY received his first critical acclaim as a pianist with trumpeters Ted Curson and Chet Baker, and in 1978, joined the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra. In 1981, he began a 4-year tenure as pianist/composer with the Stan Getz Quartet, and in 1990 to 1995, as pianist in the Phil Woods Quintet.

At the present time, he leads his own trio, and has appeared as soloist at concerts and festivals in Finland, Australia, and Cleveland, among others. McNeely's recent work includes projects with the Danish Radio Jazz Orchestra, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, the Metropole Orchestra, the West German Radio (WDR) Big Band, and the Stockholm Jazz Orchestra. In January 1996, he re-joined The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra as pianist and composer-in-residence. In 1998, he became permanent chief conductor of the Danish Radio Orchestra. McNeely has appeared as sideman on numerous recordings led by major artists such as Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Stan Getz, Bob Brookmeyer, Dave Liebman, Art Farmer, Bobby Watson and Phil Woods. McNeely is a member of the MSM jazz faculty.

www.jim-mcneely.com