Jim King (aka: Jambo) grew up in the Detroit area groovin’ to Motown and rockin’ with the sounds of the Beatles. It was there, in his early years, that Jim found his calling - - an ability to make anything with strings (acoustic or electric) absolutely sing. Jim focused his passion for music in the study of rhythm guitar and, to this day, we like to say that ‘he has forgotten more chords than most guitarists ever know’. After arriving in the Bay Area, Jim sang and played both bass and guit...
Jim King (aka: Jambo) grew up in the Detroit area groovin’ to Motown and rockin’ with the sounds of the Beatles. It was there, in his early years, that Jim found his calling - - an ability to make anything with strings (acoustic or electric) absolutely sing. Jim focused his passion for music in the study of rhythm guitar and, to this day, we like to say that ‘he has forgotten more chords than most guitarists ever know’. After arriving in the Bay Area, Jim sang and played both bass and guitar in the popular vocal swing band “Caught in the Act” - - a group known for their tight 4 and 5-part harmonies. With this group, Jim’s solid, fundamental bass foundation was forged with tunes by Jonnie Mercer, Cole Porter, Glen Miller, Count Basey, Andrews Sisters, Mills Brothers, and the like. He was also fortunate enough to kindle not only a friendship but a regular musical partnership with Sandy Sanderson, known throughout the Bay Area for his musical talent and his quality handmade banjos and cigar-box guitars. It was from Sandy that Jim learned the banjo and how the basics of the banjo could translate into an added dimension in his rhythm guitar playing. Jim’s life and musical opportunities took a detour in the mid-1990’s directly to Appleton Wisconsin where he played bass and guitar with Purple Fleetwood (Classic Rock of the 60’s and 70’s), even fronting Micki Thomas’s Starship at a regional festival. While in Wisconsin, Jim also played bass with Vienna Skies; a high energy 80’s and 90’s rock band. But, Jim’s greatest love, Rock and Roll, really flourished in the popular East Bay band “Woodeye” - - of which he was a founding member. Jim was lead singer, guitarist, music arranger, chief sound engineer, and marketing director for Woodeye. For seven years, this powerful and versatile foursome delighted audiences with great cover tunes as well as original songs written by Jim. They appeared at festivals, clubs, corporate events, and private parties through 2004. It was in this band that Jim and East Bay drummer ‘phenom’, Juan Carreon, formed a lasting friendship. Jim met the love of his life, Rebecca, while singing with Woodeye in Discovery Bay at a club called Discovery Joes. They were soon married and began writing songs based on Rebecca’s ‘new-age-jazz” keyboard styles. Jim and Rebecca are currently in production of a CD of their original music. Jim continues to write and record in his home studio. He also repairs amps and guitars and teaches guitar lessons. He loves doing live sound reinforcement work and producing local bands.
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