“Jim Funnell … makes a convincing case for quality over quantity. A lot of living goes into making each of his works.”

Geno Thackara, All About Jazz

Anglo-French pianist and composer Jim Funnell (born 1984) started leading his own band in his early teens, performing at jazz clubs by the time he was in high school. Dedicating himself to the study of both classical and jazz piano, he was awarded a full tuition scholarship from Berklee College of Music, where he was exposed to a diversity of styles and cultures. At Berklee, in addition to studying with jazz luminaries such as Danilo Pérez, Joanne Brackeen, Laszlo Gardony, David Fiuczynski, Joe Lovano, and George Garzone, Jim had the opportunity to perform with Tiger Okoshi, Dave Douglas, Marcus Miller, Meshell Ndgeocello, and Yellowjackets members Russell Ferrante and Marcus Baylor. Upon graduation, he traveled to Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil, soaking up Latin America’s folklore and Afro-Latin rhythms. These early experiences helped shape his own musical voice and language, as well as his purpose of inspiring and encouraging fellow students and musicians connect to theirs.

Jim Funnell has released six albums, four singles and an EP as a leader/co-leader of both his own group “Word Out” (post-bop jazz fusion) and AfuriKo (African infused jazz duo with percussionist Akiko Horii). Drawing from diverse influences and traditions from around the world in a spirit of respect and celebration, he has notably garnered reviews from All About Jazz, London Jazz News, and Jazz Magazine. His colourful approach to writing music earned him the Composition Prize at the “Trophées du Sunside” in Paris (2011) as well as SACEM’s “Aide à l’autoproduction” (funding for self-produced albums provided by the French Society of Authors, Composers, and Publishers of Music).

Constantly taking his music on the road, Jim has performed at numerous venues (across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and North Africa) and festivals such as the London Jazz Festival, Balkan Trafik! (Brussels), Jazz a la Calle (Uruguay), Kathmandu Jazz Festival, Kanazawa Jazz Street (Japan), JazzQ (St. Petersburg), Malta Jazz Festival, Jazz en Touraine, Festival Cinéma d’Alès Itinérances, Festival des Musiques Sacrées de Paris (France), and Central Park SummerStage (New York). As a sideman, he has played and recorded with artists from across a wide musical spectrum (David Fiuczynski, New York Gypsy All Stars, Flox, Chico Freeman, Ravy Magnifique, Benjamin de Roubaix, Philippe Lopes de Sa…)

Jim teaches jazz performance (piano and ensembles), composition and improvisation, both online and in person, and has given workshops/masterclasses at venues such as BRICKS Music Salon (Tokyo), Cardiff University School of Music (Wales), Improphile/Jazz de Mars (France), Koyo Conservatory (Kobe), Euro Institute of Music and Arts (Malta)… He was nominated Jazz Piano Teacher of the Year for 2019 at Lessonface.com.