Jimmy Greene facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jimmy Greene
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Greene in 2014
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | James Sidney Greene, Jr. |
| Born | February 24, 1975 Hartford, Connecticut |
| Origin | Sandy Hook, Connecticut |
| Genres | Jazz, gospel, post-bop, neo-bop |
| Instruments | Saxophone |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Labels | RCA, Criss Cross, Sunnyside, SteepleChase, Mack Avenue |
James Sidney Greene, Jr., born on February 24, 1975, is an American jazz saxophonist. He is also a gospel musician, recording artist, and music professor. Jimmy Greene began his music journey in 1997. Since then, he has released many albums. His album Beautiful Life became very popular. It even earned him nominations for the Grammy Awards.
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Growing Up with Music
Jimmy Greene was born in Hartford, Connecticut. His dad, James Sr., also played the saxophone. Jimmy started playing the alto saxophone when he was only six years old. By age eight, he was taking lessons. When he was in middle school, jazz music became his biggest passion.
He worked hard in school and graduated with honors from Bloomfield High School in 1993. He then went to The Hartt School and graduated in 1997. That's when he officially started his professional music career.
His Musical Journey
Jimmy Greene's professional music career began in 1997. His first album, Brand New World, came out in 2000. He released several other albums over the years. These included Introducing Jimmy Greene, Forever, True Life Stories, and Gifts and Givers.
In 2014, he released his eighth album, Beautiful Life. This album was a big success. It appeared on several Billboard magazine charts, like the Christian Albums, Gospel Albums, and Jazz Albums charts. It reached number 5 on the Jazz Albums chart.
Beautiful Life also earned Jimmy Greene a Grammy Award nomination for Best Jazz Instrumental Album. He and singer Javier Colon were also nominated for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals for their song "When I Come Home."
Life Outside Music
Jimmy Greene is a music professor at Western Connecticut State University. He lives in Sandy Hook, Connecticut. He used to teach at the University of Manitoba for three years.
He is married to Nelba Márquez, who plays the flute. His album Beautiful Life was made to honor his daughter, Ana Grace Márquez-Greene. She passed away when she was six years old. Jimmy Greene is also involved in the music program at his local church, Glory Chapel International Cathedral.
Albums and Awards
Jimmy Greene has released several studio albums. Here are some of them:
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |||
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| US Chr |
US Gos |
US Jazz |
US Heat |
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| Beautiful Life |
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36 | 6 | 5 | 6 |
| Flowers - Beautiful Life, Vol. 2 |
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| While Looking Up |
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He has also played on albums with other artists:
- With Mario Pavone: Ancestors (2008)
- With Avishai Cohen: As Is...Live at the Blue Note
- With Ben Riley: Memories of T (2006)
Grammy Nominations
Jimmy Greene has received two Grammy Award nominations:
- For Best Arrangement, Instruments And Vocals: "When I Come Home" (with Javier Colon)
- For Best Jazz Instrumental Album: Beautiful Life
