Jim Cunningham
James Cunningham, trumpet, is a member of the Board of Directors of the Trinity Music Group, is a founding member of the organization and has been a professional free-lance trumpet player for many years. Born in Butler , Pennsylvania , he started playing trumpet at age eight. He still lives in the Butler area with his lovely wife Jeanette.
Jim attended Duquesne University in the mid 1960's. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy and attended the Naval School of Music in Little Creek, VA. While in the Navy, he was the lead trumpet player in the 13th Naval District Band in Seattle , Washington . He attended Duquesne University, Slippery Rock University, as well as Butler County Community College. His teachers have included Salvatore Signorino, Edwin Shiner, Roy Cummings and Charles Lirette.
Jim’s playing experience includes performances with the Al Mauroni Orchestra, Anthony James Band, Barry Blue Orchestra, Benny Benack Orchestra, Billy Kay Big Band, Bobby Randall Big Band, Buddy Lee Orchestra, Buddy Morrow Orchestra, Butler County Concert Band, Butler County Symphony Orchestra, Butler Symphony Brass, Carol Lawrence, Dale Anthony Band, Duquesne University Brass Ensemble, Duquesne University ROTC Band, Duquesne University Symphony of Winds, Four Freshman, Frankie Avalon, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Fredericktowne Brass Band, Frederick Symphony Orchestra, Gibbons Big Band,
Harmer House Band, Holiday House Band, Ice Capades, Ice Follies,
Indiana Pops Orchestra, Jack Bowman Orchestra, Jimmy Dorsey Band, Joe Negri Orchestra, Johnny Costa Orchestra, Larry Elgart Orchestra, Mary Wilson and the Supremes, Miami Symphonic Band, Musical Theater Guild Orchestra, Musicians’ Concert Band, Navy School of Music Faculty Jazz Ensemble, Navy School of Music Student Jazz Ensemble, Neal Patton Orchestra, New Kensington Pops Orchestra, North Allegheny Brass Band, Pat Oliver Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Ringling Brothers Circus Band, Seattle Jazz Orchestra, Seattle Philharmonic, Seventeenth Naval District Band, Slippery Rock Community Orchestra, Slippery Rock University Jazz Ensemble, The Lettermen, Thirteenth Naval District Band, Tim Rogers Orchestra, Tommy Carlin Orchestra, Tommy Dorsey Band, Vic Damone, Windsor Brass Ensemble
He has worked with many noted artists including Carol Lawrence, the Lettermen, Frankie Avalon, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Johnny Costa, Mary Wilson and the Supremes, Vic Damone, the Four Freshmen, Mel Torme, Lou Rawls and Roberta Peters
Jim leads his own professional brass group as well as a big band and has appeared with these groups at various events. He has recorded three times with the Buddy Lee Orchestra.
In addition to his performing career, Jim is a Certified Fund Raising Executive for the nationally known firm of Gronlund, Sayther and Brunkow. He is also an instrument-rated pilot and class amateur radio operator.
ON FINISHING THE GIG: “In 1997, I suffered a major heart attack while in the middle of playing Trumpet Voluntary as the bride came down the aisle during a wedding. I successfully finished the gig, drove myself to the hospital emergency room and underwent a quadruple by-pass operation.”
He enjoys sharing time with family members Jennifer (36), John (38), Lisa (37), Yvonne (35) and misses Matthew (deceased). Meanwhile, the household’s two cats Sky and Tom keep an eye on birds Peanut and Sam.
Jim plays a Bach Stradivarius Bb trumpet and a Blessing Flugelhorn.
