Jim is widely known and respected as a trombonist, arranger, bandleader, and music educator.
Performer
As a performer, Jim has been playing since the 7th grade. He was trombone section leader and drum major in high school, and later a member of the famous Alabama Million Dollar Band at the university in Tuscaloosa. During his time at UA he was lead trombonist in the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Trombone Choir, as well as a member of a “roving horn section” that played with many different night club bands.
In graduate school at Appalachian State, Jim continued to be section leader in both the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band. After graduating with his Masters degree, he moved to Orlando, FL, where he became a staff musician for Walt Disney World, and the Ringling Brothers’ Circus World theme parks, playing both trombone and euphonium.
In 1978 Jim moved to the Washington, DC area and quickly found work as a freelance trombonist. He landed a spot with the Bill Potts Big Band, and Mike Crotty’s Sunday Morning Jazz Band. In the Fall of 1981 he formed his own dance band called Fresh Air, a popular fixture in DC and Baltimore until December 2019.
Jim Templin is now a freelance trombonist again, and also plays 1st trombone in the Maryland Band Director’s Band.
Arranger
As the long-time bandleader of the dance band Fresh Air and the manager of Fresh Air Music Entertainment, Jim has written an enormous library of arrangements for many different kinds of ensembles, including dance bands (with and without horns), Latin jazz groups, brass trios and quintets, and string quartet. Jim’s arrangements are played by the ‘President’s Own’ Marine Band, groups from the Army and Air Force, and many local dance bands.
Bandleader / Manager
Jim was the bandleader of Fresh Air, an 11-piece dance band that was one of the most successful bands of its kind in the Washington-Baltimore region. He founded the band on the idea that, with professionally prepared arrangements and talented and dedicated musicians, his band could present music of practically any style in an authentic and convincing manner. The success of Fresh Air led to the formation of several spin-off or “sister” groups, all under Jim’s management at Fresh Air Music Entertainment. Each group made use of Jim’s expertly crafted arrangements, and his approach to making a success of every event played. Since retiring the Fresh Air band in 2019, Jim devotes his energy to teaching, arranging, and freelance performing.
Teacher / Music Educator
Jim’s teaching career began in graduate school, where he taught college-level trombonists as a graduate assistant. While working in Orlando (1976-78), he was an adjunct professor of low brass at Florida Technological University (now known as Central Florida U). After moving to Maryland, he taught band, jazz band, and private trombone students at Prince George’s Community College (1978-1981).
Jim currently teaches beginning, intermediate, and advanced trombone and euphonium students at his home studio in Aspen Hill, MD.
Jim is also in demand as a substitute teacher for Montgomery County Public Schools (MD), where he stands in for high school band/orchestra directors, theory teachers, and piano and guitar classes.
Education
University of Alabama (1968-1974)
BM in Music Performance (Trombone)
Private trombone studies with Prof. Dan Drill
Theory and Composition with Dr. Frederic Goossen
Jazz Arranging studies with Prof. Steve Sample
Phi Mu Alpha Music Fraternity, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Symphony Orchestra, Million Dollar Marching Band
Appalachian State University (1974-1976)
MA in Music Performance and Community College Education
Private trombone studies with Dr. Charles Isley
Music Theory & Composition studies with Dr. MacWilliam Disbrow
Conducting & Music History studies with Dr. Gerald Welker
Phi Mu Alpha, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Symphony Orchestra
Graduate assistant teaching college trombone students while earning his degree
Post-Graduate
Private trombone and brass embouchure studies with Dr. Donald S. Reinhardt (1978-1981) at his world-famous studio on Chestnut Street in historic Philadelphia, PA
Continuing Education
Ongoing studies include reading extensively on the subjects of brass pedagogy, music theory, and arranging. Dedicated daily trombone practice is a part of his life to this day!