A native Floridian, Jim Dix began performing
professionally while in high school from classical trumpet gigs to fronting progressive
rock band Onyx. He went on to study voice, trumpet and keyboard at Florida Atlantic
University, while performing with numerous and varied professional groups ranging
from rock bands, vocal jazz ensembles, and jazz combos, to the Florida Symphonic Pops. Jim also
performed with vocal jazz groups at University of Miami and Western Michigan University, winning Outstanding Solo Jazz Vocalist award at the Western Michigan University Vocal Jazz Festival.
It was during this time that he began playing with guitarist Greg Kokus in a
jazz, pop, and R&B duo called Cous Cous, which still appears in venues from Miami
to Jensen Beach.
In 1992, Jim moved to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music as a songwriting
major. There he continued singing vocal jazz as tenor and soloist in the Berklee Advanced Vocal Jazz Ensemble and Vocal Jazz Recording Quartet. He returned to South Florida in 1994 to form an original band called
The Wheel. Since then, Jim has continued to work with Cous Cous, and also fronted
Bhang, a rock, funk, and R&B band.
Jim played trumpet with Phil and the Blanks,
a classic funk band appearing regularly at Roxy's, on Clematis in West Palm
Beach, and with the R&B group Phase II, performing at City Limits in Delray and other area nightclubs.
In addition to being an active songwriter and freelance multi-instrumentalist, Jim is now a featured performer with The Bulldogs. A perennial favorite of South Florida, The Bulldogs have been playing large venues, festivals, and special events in the area for over 15 years, showcasing a great horn section performing classic jazz-rock hits by such groups as Chicago and Tower of Power, as well as classic rock, blues, and R&B. In the media player above, you can check out The Bulldogs on "When a Man Loves a Woman." Response to the band tends to be pretty enthusiastic...
“… [we] had a fantastic time last Saturday night. We went to hear the Bulldogs. We all agreed that it is the best local band that we have ever heard! Jim Dix. . . What a superb talent!!! He is a gifted performer with an outstanding voice. Every song the band performed sounded exactly like the original…We all strongly recommend that you attend the Bulldogs upcoming performances. You will have a GREAT time.”
- Jody
Below is some video from a gig in Kansas City, MO.
In 2003, Jim released his debut solo album, Flowers from Eden, combining elements of R&B, Funk, Rock, and Jazz in all original songs. Check it out on iTunes or at www.cdbaby.com/cd/jimdix.
Jim has worked extensively with Gaffney Productions, Inc. since 2004, performing on lead vocals, trumpet, and keyboard for weddings, corporate events, and other private parties.
In 2008, Jim performed regularly with The X-Factor, a classic pop metal band featuring Patrick Johannson , drummer for Yngwie Malmsteen. The X-Factor can be heard in the player above on "Rock You Like a Hurricane."
Jim can now also be seen fronting rock band Miss Dympsey's Class, belting out songs by AC/DC, Guns 'n' Roses, Velvet Revolver, Buckcherry, STP, and more.
Hey Jim: Besides being a great frontman and player, you're one out of a million as a person. It's been a blast having you in my band and I'm looking forward to the Frazz project. Geez, I'll actually be able to play guitar on a gig! (lol)
