James Carroll - celebrating 41 Years as CSO's Principal Bassist

James U. Carroll is celebrating his forty-first year as Principal Bass of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra (CSO). In September 2012 he will be retiring as Principal Bassist and remain in the Bass Section of the CSO. He joined the CSO in 1971 after studying and graduating from the High School of Performing Arts in New York City, the Julliard School of Music and the Hartt School of Music on scholarships. He studied with many renowned bassists including Fred Zimmerman of the New York Philharmonic and Julliard Professor. He also won a full scholarship to the National Training Orchestra while he was a student and also to the Aspen School of Music.

He was a member of the San Antonio, Dallas, and Honolulu Symphony Orchestras. Early in his career he was appointed to the bass section of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and later in his career his career he won the audition as Principal Bass of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte Carlo. Mr. Carroll also was the Principal Bass of the Colorado Music Festival Orchestra for 18 years.

James Carroll has had an extensive teaching career. He was on the music department faculties of Metropolitan State College (4 years), Denver University’s Lamont School of Music (15 years), and also the University of Colorado, University of Colorado at Denver and Colorado State University (combined 4 years).

“Jimmy” enjoys playing all genres of music and was very active as a free-lance bass player engaged in shows, jazz and dance gigs and recordings on both electric and string bass. He has played with many greats from Oscar Peterson, Nelson Riddle, to Henry Mancini, etc. He was the Music Contractor for Calvary Temple in Denver for 23 years and many other musical and church organizations. He was the Principal Bass and Orchestra Manager of the Denver Chamber Orchestra under Jo Ann Falleta, Conductor / Musical Director.

Jeremy Kincaid, John Arnesen, James Carroll, Karl Fenner (photo by Andy Cross, The Denver Post)
One of his most enjoyable accomplishments is that he is on the recording of “Too Hot to Handel” which was a number one seller on iTunes. He is featured as the jazz “upright” bassist where he is acclaimed for his innovative bass lines that he composed.

He has been a proud member of the Denver Musicians Association Union Local 20-623 since September 1971 when he joined the Denver Symphony Orchestra/CSO. Since the beginning of his career at age 18, he has been a faithful advocate and member of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) and the Local Unions:

New York Local 802 – 1964-1968
San Antonio Local 23 – 1966-1968
Dallas/Ft. Worth Local 72-147 – 1968-1971
Denver Local 20-623 – 1971 to present
Honolulu Local 677 – 1989 – 1990

Jim has always understood the importance of the AFM and appreciates all the many years of invaluable support that the Denver Musicians Association has provided.