About Jimbo Ro

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James Rohlehr (Pronounced Rolair) 

aka Jimbo Ro

A former street musician, James has produced 9 CD projects for andjam, co produced 5 CD projects for 13 stories records,  2 performances for US State department,  Musical director for African American churches Inaugural ball for president Obama 2013.  Musical director for the “COMPANY FREAK BAND”. James has also worked with Hip Hop rapper producer, Heavy D, and Jazz violinist Regina Carter.

James “Jimbo Ro” Rohlehr, (pronounced Rolair) is a gifted guitarist, singer, songwriter, composer and producer, with West Indian roots. He’s received 2 National Endowment for the arts Fellowships, and studied with John Lewis, John Corigliano, George Morel, and Jack Wilkins. James is  the Winner of the 1997 President’s Award for songwriting from the Songwriters Guild of America for excellence in the Art and Craft of songwriting.

Educational programs conducted by James.

*1986-1988 (ICIS) The Door
At this time the door was located on 6th Avenue and 18th Street.
I taught rhythm section instruments (bass, guitar, drums, keyboards and vocals) to teenagers age 15-19. Both individually and as a class. This was a NYSCA funded program.
Supervisor: Sam Scharrod

*1992-1994 The New School for social research.
Taught beginner and intermediate Guitar, theory, and Improvisation
Director: Fred Winston

*1996-2000 Young Audiences/New York Residency Artists. James and Andrea Rohlehr. Also conducted recording and writing workshops at various New York City Schools and conducted workshops for The Bertelsmann World of Expression Scholarship Program. Also conducted workshops for educators.

Supervisor: Suzanne Youngerman 

Executive Director: Eileen Goldblatt

*2010-2012 Boys Club of NY (Abby Club House-Flushing, Queens, NY)
Taught individual and small class guitar lessons for boy’s ages 7-16 year old.
Director/Supervisor: Malcolm Swisher

James Artist/ Bandleader

*2019 Released second CD “Jimbo Ro and His Guitar” (listen/purchase @CDbaby)

*2019 Review from second CD (read review)

*worked with Lewis and Kirk Music (website)

*worked with Claremont Strings and Ensembles (twitter)

*2016-2019 AIR TRAIN JAZZ FESTIVAL Performed with band JIMBO RO (website)

* 2016 Performed solo Guitar and vocal for Mount Vernon NY Mayor Richard Thomas’ Inaugural Ball.

*2010-2015 Performed With my band AndJam band @ Martha's Vineyard Jazz & Blues Summerfest

* 2006-2015Regular performances with own band ‘Andrea and James and the ANDJAM 

BAND’

* 2013 Musical Director for stage at ‘AFRICAN AMERICAN CHURCHES INAGURAL BALL FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA’. Performed with HUGH MASEKELA

* 2014 – 2015 Musical Director for THE COMPANY FREAK Band (band leader JASON KING)

Central Park Summer Stage

Joe’s Pub

Rough Trade

CCNY

Cancun (private performance)

* 2012 NJ PAC Musical director and Co stage director of multimedia stage performance of BUZZOOMMM

* 1999-2005 Band Leader for Steven Scott Orchestras & Hank Lane Orchestras

* 1988 &1989 U.S. State Department / Music Director for performances -Bombay, India

*2006-2013 Composed underscore music for Television show, INSIDE EDITION.

*James co-wrote a song with Atlantic recording artist jazz violinist, Regina Carter. The song “The Last Time” was featured on Regina’s debut C.D.

*Winner of the 1997 President’s Award for songwriting from the 

Songwriters Guild of America for excellence in the Art and Craft of songwriting. He and Andrea Rohlehr were selected by Guild president and world-renowned songwriter, George David Weiss.

*As a studio musician he has worked with rapper/ producer Heavy D. and rap producer Alex Richbourg, R&B group Soul 4 Real. (performed on tracks 8 & 9 of Soul 4 Real’s Debut CD Candy Rain)

*James performed in the stage band for a tribute to Maya Angelu where he played and sang backgrounds for Ashford and Simpson, Cissy Houston, Nancy Wilson, and Gloria Lynn.

*2012 performed with MARTHA REEVES

* Performed with Hue Masekela

*2015 Completed BUZZOOMMM animation. (First animation completed)