Bassist, Keyboardist, Arranger

Began playing music in 5th grade with the Mellophone. By the time he finished high school, he had learned French Horn in school concert bands, picked up electric bass and played in Sacramento area blues bands, He next began playing jazz piano in the Sacramento area. A passionate, multi-instrumentalist, Jim shares his love of music in unique ways, locally to internationally.

• Sacramento City College Music Program (Music Theory and Composition; Jazz Big Band and Combos on piano); and Upright Bass (school symphony)
• Studies with Sacramento local, Jerry Murphy. Performed in local jazz groups
• California State University Sacramento Music Program (Music Theory & Composition-classical and jazz; Jazz Big Band and Combos-piano
• 1978-1985--Played piano with John Skinner Big Band and Combos (100 gigs per year)
• 1985-present – continues to perform with a variety of local bands, including the Jim Wendt Jazz Combo, Various R&B bands, Oldies bands, Country bands and Rock bands

• Travel: Multiple trips to England, Germany, and Sweden (no music performances);
  3 week trip to South Africa and Zambia
  3 weeks in Kolkata, India living with and collaborating with tabla prodigy, Abhishek Basu on Jambination (Indo/Jazz Fusion project) while also absorbing Indian Classical Music and Indian culture
  3-1/2 week trip to Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania
• Additional Performances
  Meadowview Jazz Festivals; KRIA Indo/Jazz Fusion Concert; Sacramento Jazz Festival
  Hosted Indian tabla player, Abhishek Basu, in Sacramento for 6 weeks while collaboratimg on Jambination (Indo/Jazz Fusion project) (www.myspace.com/jambination)
• Other Profession: 1982-1985–-CSUS Computer Science Program