Jim Vaughn

James Vaughn served as the Instructor of the Double Bass studio at the University of Northern Colorado for 23 years, retiring in 2013. He has held positions with the Colorado Springs Symphony, Breckenridge Music Festival, Denver Chamber Orchestra, Colorado Ballet, and Opera Colorado, as well as regional orchestras from Pueblo to Cheyenne. He was also a member of the Denver Center Theater Productions pit orchestra. On both double bass and electric bass guitar, he has performed with entertainment luminaries such as Jerry Lewis, Tony Curtis, Tommy Tune, Carol Channing, Suzanne Somers, Keith Carradine, and Glenn Close.

As a founding orchestra member of "Inside the Orchestra," Mr. Vaughn participated for 25 years in music appreciation outreach programs dedicated to introducing symphonic music to elementary and preschool-aged children throughout the Denver metropolitan region. It remains one of his proudest professional associations.

Career highlights include performing in Luciano Pavarotti's world tour at the Pepsi Center, playing for Phantom of the Opera, and appearing on Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg's recording of Tchaikovsky's Concerto for Violin & Orchestra. Further notable performances include a Colorado Springs Symphony concert featuring Yo-Yo Ma on September 11, 2001, and accompanying Mannheim Steamroller, Earth, Wind & Fire, Judy Collins, and The Who at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

Mr. Vaughn currently resides in Colorado Springs, where he performs as a substitute bassist with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic and the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs. He continues to work as a freelance musician and takes great delight in coaching young bassists for the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony.