JIM SPECTOR-international guitarist

BIO

Performing, recording, composing and arranging are all part of the busy life of guitarist Jim Spector. In solo or ensemble situations his dynamic guitar stylings receive recognition. At the age of six, inspired by a concert of Carlos Montoya, he began studying the guitar and clarinet with other instruments to follow. His first solo guitar performance in grade school was followed by high school participation in concert band, symphony orchestra, jazz band and musical comedies. In 1974 he was selected to perform solo guitar in an all Chicago area talent review. He continued his private study with the renowned guitarist Juan Serranno and in 1975 was the recipient of a scholarship for musical performance from DePaul University from which he received his Bachelor's degree in music performance. Mr. Spector began teaching privately at the age of fourteen and began teaching professionally at several Chicago area music stores two years later. Before leaving Chicago he was the head of the guitar department at the Sherwood Conservatory of Music and the classical guitar professor at Chicago State University. His performance credits in Chicago include most of the downtown hotels, numerous restaurants including Geja's Café and The 95th in the John Hancock Center, private clubs, museums, The Chicago Yacht Club and concerts for the Chicago Public Library Fine Arts Series. People have applauded his performances across the United States and during a five year stay in Hawaiï he was selected out of 100 musicians from around the world to be an in house musician for The Four Season Resort in Maui. While there Mr. Spector performed tableside for Dustin Hoffman, The Eagles, Rob Thomas and other celebrities and was the opening act for Bo Didley, Fleetwood Mac and others. In his travels he has performed in Canada,  Mexico, the Caribbean, and throughout Europe where in Amsterdam he played a solo concert at the Concertgebouw. A tour of the Mediterranean culminated with several months of performances on Malta where he appeared at CHOGM attended by the Queen of England and the heads of state of 50 countries from around the world.  During his time in the Caribbean, Mr. Spector appeared at numerous venues on St Martin, Anguilla, and Tortola and was a featured musician for private events at La Samanna resort. Television and cable appearences including The Phil Donohue show have made his face familiar to many viewers globally. Two of his five cd's have been up for Grammy award nominations and his music has been listened to on American Airlines inflight playlist across the world.