Long Bio

Jim has a far reaching musical background. At the age of twelve he developed an interest and gained experienced playing jazz. Throughout high school he was active in quality music programs and was personally influenced by fine musicians such as Stan Kenton,  George Benson, Gary Burton, and Pat Metheny. Jim was presented with outstanding Guitarist Award for two consecutive years at the Oak Lawn Jazz Festival and performed with Rich Matteson’s All-Star Big Band. At the age of seventeen he was the company guitarist for the Troupe of College Players, after which he studied classical guitar with Richard Pick. At that time Jim made several appearances on the W.L.Lillard Show, a Chicago-based television series that featured jazz musicians. He attended Boston University, then went on to Northern Illinois University and earned a unique interdisciplinary music degree with an emphasis in commercial music, contemporary guitar skills and American folk instruments. He traveled and worked with many country oriented groups, and taught guitar, banjo and fiddle at the Ax-In-Hand, a leading vintage guitar shop in DeKalb, Illinois. He has addressed college classes on topics such as the pedal steel guitar, the evolution of bluegrass music, and advanced applications of six guitar harmonics. Jim became an Artist-In-Residence through the Illinois Arts Council and other agencies and has continued to work with elementary and high school students and teachers in the schools. Some of the artists Jim has sat in or performed with include Corky Siegel,  Steve Goodman,  Vassar Clements,  Jethro Burns,  The Nashville Cats, Eddy Clearwater,  Randy Sabien,  Bill Evans, and The Piper Road Spring Band. He has opened shows for Jim Brown and Cal Smith, and has recorded several film sound tracks and radio shows including broadcasts of W.D.C.B’s "Jazz Monday" and "Just Folk", and has released recordings on cassette and compact disc. Jim's background in recording has led him to producing and engineering for other individual artists and groups. His educational program on the development of American Folk Music has earned him a reputation of being an effective educator and has brought him to cultural arts festivals and events throughout Illinois. Jim has worked with legendary singer/song writer, and Grammy nominee Jim Post on his Galena Rose Recording, has been featured on "Arts Across Illinois" WTTW/Chicago BPS. When "1000 Acres" featuring Michelle Fifers, Jason Robars and Jessica Lang came to DeKalb and Ogle County in Northern Illinois, Jim was asked to entertain for the cast. Jim Kanas has performed in concert at colleges, festivals and small venues throughout Illinois. Jim Kanas is an Illinois Arts Council ArtsTour Artist.