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RESUME OF JIM CASSON

EXPERIENCE

            currently -

  • I'm working live venues regularly with Downchild Blues Band, The Hogtown Allstars, Material Men, Johnny Max Band, The Maple Blues Band, Jimmy's Juke Joint and The Mighty Duck Blues Band.  
  • Since 2012 I have released 3 albums and 2 singles under the name "Dark Orchard"
  • Since 2018 I have released 4 ambient albums under the name "The Reluctant Cosmonaut"
  • Since 2021 I have released 3 albums with "Davis Hall & The Green Lanterns"
             media appearances -
  • I have appeared on TV in Buried Alive in the Blues, and Blues Man on Bravo!, and Open Mike with Mike Bullard on CTV and The Comedy Network, Breakfast TV and Lunch TV on CITY in Toronto, Maple Leaf Gardens Closing Ceremonies on TSN, The New Music, The Sports Celebrity Auction on OLN, and The Badger Show on Rogers Cable.
  • I played on the soundtrack to the 1999 John W. Doyle film Extraordinary Visitor.
  • I have played on many jingles for many companies including Labatt's & Bell Mobility.
  • I have been featured multiple times in the magazines DRUM! and Drums etc.
  • I was featured in the 2018 film "Almost, Almost Famous"
  • I composed the soundtrack to the 2024 Christopher Darton film "The Damnation"
 1990  -  present
  • Over my career, I have worked with many notable artists including Downchild Blues Band, The Official Blues Brothers Revival (Musical Director), Amy Sky, Sue Foley, Chuck Jackson, Michael Buble, Alex Lifeson of Rush, Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits, Carlos Del Junco, Dutch Mason, Jani Lauzon, Dawn Tyler Watson, Maple Blues Revue, the Lincolns, Kiva, Bill King's Saturday Night Fish Fry, Jimmy Bowskill, Lazy Lester, Heather Dale, Barbara Lynch, Chris Spedding, George Gao and Bobby Curtola.
            1986  -  1989
  • After graduating from the Applied Music Program at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario, I hit the road.   I toured North America with acts ranging from show bands playing across Canada and in Las Vegas, to Clearlight, a Pink Floyd tribute band that toured throughout the United States and Canada.


           EDUCATION

            1983 -  1986

  • Attended the Mohawk College Applied Music Program in Hamilton, Ontario.
  • Studied many aspects of music such as jazz composition, arranging, business of music, traditional and jazz harmony, film scoring, and music history.
  • Studied arranging with Rob McConnell of the Boss Brass.
  • Studied drums with Dave James of Manteca, and with Marty Morrell of the Bill Evans Group.
  1986  Diploma: Applied Music
Mohawk College of Applied Arts
    Hamilton, Ontario
  1983 Ontario Secondary School Honours Grad. Diploma
E.L.Crossley Secondary School
     Fonthill, Ontario

           AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
 

winner of Maple Blues Award - 2023 Drummer of the Year

winner of Maple Blues Award - 2022 Drummer of the Year

considered for 2022 Polaris Music Prize - Davis Hall & The Green Lanterns

nominated for Maple Blues Award - 2021 Drummer of the Year

nominated for 2018 Niagara Music Award for Instrumentalist of the Year -Dark Orchard

nominated for 2018 Niagara Music Award for Album Of The Year -Duck Soup - Mighty Duck Blues Band

nominated for 2018 Niagara Music Award for Video Of The Year -"Hammered And Nailed"

nominated for 2018 Niagara Music Award for Best Blues Group -Mighty Duck Blues Band

nominated for 2017 Niagara Music Award for Producer Of The Year

nominated for 2017 Niagara Music Award for Song Of The Year -"Hammered And Nailed"

nominated for 2017 Niagara Music Award for Best Blues Group -Mighty Duck Blues Band

winner for 2015 Hammer Blues Award for Ensemble Of The Year -Mighty Duck Blues Band

nominated for 2012 Niagara Music Award for Instrumentalist of the Year -Dark Orchard

nominated for 2011 Niagara Music Award for Best Blues Group -Mighty Duck Blues Band

winner of Maple Blues Award - 2005 Recording of the Year -
Downchild - Come On In (performed drums)

nominated for 2005 Juno Award for Best Blues Album -
Downchild - Come On In (performed drums)

nominated for Maple Blues Award - 2002 Drummer of the Year

nominated for Maple Blues Award - 1999 Drummer of the Year

nominated for 1999 Genie Award for Achievement in Music - Original Score -
Johnathon W. Doyle film - Extraordinary Visitor (performed drums on soundtrack)

nominated for 1999 Juno Award for Best Music of Aboriginal Canada -
Jani Lauzon - Thirst (performed drums and percussion)

winner of Jazz Report 1998 Blues Band of the Year - Downchild Blues Band

nominated for Maple Blues Award - 1998 Electric Act of the Year - Downchild Blues Band

nominated for Maple Blues Award - 1997 Recording of the Year -
Downchild Blues Band - Lucky 13 (performed drums)

nominated for Maple Blues Award - 1997 Electric Act of the Year - Downchild Blues Band

nominated for Maple Blues Award - 1997 Entertainer of the Year - Downchild Blues Band

nominated for 1995 Juno Award for Best Music of Aboriginal Canada -
Jani Lauzon - Blue Voice New Voice (performed drums and percussion)

            ENDORSEMENTS

Los Cabos Drumsticks


           PERSONAL BACKGROUND

Born 24/03/64 in Port Colborne, Ontario, CANADA
Canadian citizen
Member of local 298, A. F. of M., 

Niagara Region Musicians Association, 

St. Catharines, Ontario, CANADA