Jim Kanas

Description

Jim Kanas a jazz guitarist and American roots musician/stylist, a composer and
multi-instrumentalist. He integrates jazz, world music and Americana influences
into original music and improvisation. The roots of jazz resonate and define
Jim's style as a soloist and his group. Jim has been playing jazz and bluegrass
concurrently for over 50 years! Jim’s two solo performance formats are guitars
only (nylon string and steel string), which is an eclectic blend of the
aforementioned styles, and American Roots/multi-instrumental, bringing fiddle,
banjo, resophonic guitar, harmonicas and Native American flutes to the fold.

-"Jim is a world class guitarist.... I knew right away he was a world class
guitarist." Victor Wooten" -The Chicago tribune calls Kanas "...a master..."

- "Jim Kanas has become his instrument." Corky Siegel

Kanas' hands-on educational programs, assemblies, breakout sessions and
residencies, are interdisciplinary by nature, cross-cultural in tone and always fun!
These American Folk Music Programs trace the development of American music
through its ethnical roots and incorporates a large assortment instruments. Jim
has received a National Leadership Award and nominated for a Grammy Music
Educator Award by educators.

Work Sample

Arts Across Illinois, WTTW11…

“All of Me”, Studio recording/audio, live performance Sandwich Opera house/video

Make art always, Elgin community college, Covid stream concert…

History

Jim Kanas was featured on WTTW11 PBS "Arts Across Illinois" on Sessions
from Studio A, WNIJ, DeKalb, Il, 2018 and 2020 and at an early age won the
"Outstanding Guitarist Award" two years running at the Oak Lawn Jazz Fest. He
later collaborated with well-known musicians including, Johnny Frigo, Howard
Levy, Larry Gray, Frank Mantooth, Bill Evans (saxophone), Fareed Haque, Paul
Wirtico, Muriel Anderson, Corky Siegel and others. Jim attended Boston
University as an education major, after which led to an interdisciplinary music
degree from Northern Illinois University in guitar and American folk instruments.

Jim has an extensive history of performing at community events, colleges, small
venues, festivals and broadcast and streaming medium throughout Illinois (see
www.jimkanas.com). Education: Boston University, interdisciplinary music
degree from NIU in guitar and American folk instruments and graduate work.

Jim Kanas kicked off Elgin community College's Make Art Always series as their
featured artist and guitar instructor this summer 2020, and was featured by the
Lake County Forest Preserve and Dunn Museum as a presenter on the
Development of American Music Through its Ethnical Roots.

Artistic Vision

My lifelong path has been to create new music rooted in tradition, both written
and improvisational. I feel I have succeeded most when my compositions or
performances have blurred the lines between genres, and still offer something
familiar. I feel it is important to pay homage to those who struggled before me
and dedicated themselves to a particular tradition, but I believe at some point
you have to let go and be two you are, the sum of your influences. My intention
was to bring non-jazz styles to jazz audiences, and in many cases I have done
that. Over the years my performances and audience in acoustic venues
(Americana traditional and contemporary) have been open to hearing jazz, so
that has been a natural outlet for most of my development with regard to
integrating styles. Well-known folklorist and musician Mike Seeger stated that
the only true way to learn folk music is to immerse yourself in a community. I
have subscribed to that thinking and followed through with the integration of my
personal and artistic life for learning American music. My experience as a Mutiinstrumentalist and the associated styles are manifested my guitar playing,
which is my primary instrument. I have always been attracted to expressing
myself and trying different instruments. I have learned is that whether and I am
playing the fiddle, banjo or mandolin, I'm actually “practicing” the guitar,
because that is my ultimate instrument for expression and my highest level of
mastery.

Programs for Specific Audience(s) Expertise

My educational programs, assemblies, breakout sessions and residencies, are interdisciplinary by nature, cross-cultural in tone and always fun! My American Folk Music Program traces the development of American music through its ethnical roots and incorporates a large assortment of conventional, homemade and world instruments. There is a strong emphasis on cross-cultural connections to American music and the "Living Oral Tradition". Nature of Assembly: Demonstration, very informative, cognitive, performance on large assortment of conventional and homemade instruments and engaging. I strive to make each student (and teacher) feel connected to this rich American living oral tradition we call "folk". By utilizing instruments ranging from fiddle, banjo, and guitar, to dulcimer, limberjacks, bones and spoons, I demonstrate and lead hands-on activities, call-and-response singing and incorporate methods by which an artist can collaborate with teachers or other leaders. Small Group/ Breakout Sessions: Highly interactive. Students play and sing. Other activities include instrument building, songwriting, composition and applied audio technology/recording and interdisciplinary application. Availability: year round, statewide, regular, ESL, and special needs students. I have received a National Leadership Award for my work in the schools, nominated for teacher of the year at Kishwaukee college, Malta, Il. and nominated for a Grammy Music Educator Award by my peers.

Traditional Folk/Ethnic Artform Statement

I consider myself a traditional folk artist in terms of a revivalist approach and immersion into culture process, having said that, I latest project is directly connected to my bloodline heritage as second generation Greek American. Someone argue that I am first generation culturally because of my environment when growing up. I hope to produce a work which highlights the significant Contributions of Greek American artists in the form of original music and film to showcase visual art. This project is well underway but needs support from agencies which value this sort of project….