Jazz Guitar
Born in Glasgow, Scotland on November 26, 1945, Jim Mullen began his musical life aged 8 playing "Tea-chest bass" in the neighbourhood skiffle group. He got his first guitar the same year, and when an older friend introduced him to jazz, he was hooked. After playing with many local groups, Jim formed a group with Malcolm Duncan and Roger Ball (later of the Average White Band) and they worked throughout Scotland playing Coltrane tunes and originals before Jim moved to London in 1969.
In London, Jim first joined Pete Brown's group and recorded two albums before joining Brian Auger for three albums. He then made one album each with Vinegar Joe and Kokomo before meeting sax player Dick Morrissey in 1975. This was the start of a 15-year association during which Morrissey-Mullen became one of Britain's hottest jazz-funk bands. Seven albums later, at the end of the 1980's, the band broke up and Jim went on to pursue his first-love - jazz.
Since then, Jim has recorded several albums with his own group, three albums with jazz vocalist Claire Martin and made numerous guest appearances with others. As the UK's leading jazz guitarist since the early 90's, Jim regularly gigs and tours in the UK and overseas leading his own bands and as a sideman with visiting U.S. artists such as Terry Callier, Mose Allison, Weldon Irvine, Percy Sledge, Teddy Edwards, Plas Johnson, Jimmy Witherspoon, Jimmy Smith and Gene Harris. He is winner of "Best Guitar" in the British Telecom jazz awards (1994 and 1996). More recently, Jim was voted "Best Guitar" in the Post Office Jazz Awards 2000.
If you would like Jim Mullen to work on your next project, please call to check availability.
Find out about my project work with Jim Mullen