Jim Edison

Jim Edison

(October 2, 1932 - September 22, 2012)

Jim was a music teacher and professional trumpet player who had his own big band, The Jim Edison Orchestra, as well as a 7-piece group. Though his taste was eclectic, his favorite was the big band music of the 1940's, and especially that of Duke Ellington. An educator, trumpet player and talented music arranger and orchestrator, he performed with entertainers in Las Vegas and recorded with Christian performers Sandi Patti and the Gaither Family.  For 23 years, he was the lead trumpeter and music contractor at Starlight Musicals and performed on the Jim Gerrard show as a member of the house band.  Edison taught trumpet at the University of Indianapolis and directed the University’s jazz band in the 1970s and 1980s. 

In 1997, after he had a stroke that prevented him from performing, he found other ways to be involved with music – mainly as a trumpet teacher – until the time of his death.  Jim's recognition by music groups include induction into the Indianapolis Jazz Hall of Fame in 1998, receiving the Service to Music Award by the Indianapolis Symphonic Band in 2000, being honored in 2004 with a Tribute Concert by the Indianapolis Brass Choir, and receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award by WICR in 2010. In 2003 he was named Manual H.S. Alumnus of the Year.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a graduate of Butler University.