Jimmy Brink
Instrument:
Drums, percussion, back up vocals
Influences: Gene Crupa, Buddy Rich and Steve Gadd
 Born into a musical Family, Jims Dad, Donald Brink is a retired
Band Director who has an M. A. in Music Education from his studies at Hartt
School of Music at the University of Hartford, the Peabody Conservatory, Towson
State University and Loyola College. Jims Uncles (on his moms side) have
competed Nationally for Barber Shop quartet singing. In fact, his Uncle Gary
drummed for a 70's top 40 band by the name of Dusty Roads, which is where Jim
first saw how cool it was to be a drummer. Jim's Uncle Kevin played keys for
that band.
Jimmy began playing drums at age 8 when he received his first drum set as a
Christmas gift from his Uncle. In fact, it was the Muppet's Classic Drum Kit.
Jim's 1st big accomplishment was receiving an award as "Best Musician" during
his 8th grade graduation from the Canton Middle School Band, under the direction
of Tom Merrinick. During the summer between 8th and 9th grade, Jim worked at
Eastern House Restaurant and saved his penny's to purchase his first
professional Drum Set, which he still uses to this day. It is a White Yamaha,
Stage Series birch shell set.
While Jim attended Mount Saint Joseph High School, he played in the Concert
Band, Marching Band, Show band, and the Award Winning Jazz Ensemble, where he
earned the nickname Spanky. He played in the pit band for the following shows: A
Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum, Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor
Dream Coat, Little Orphan Annie, Little Shop of Horrors and Grease. During his
senior year, MSJ hosted a "Battle of the Bands" and Jim's band Bag of Tricks
took home the big prize!!!!! At graduation, Jim received the "Brother Peter
Gaskin Award" for Excellence in music in front of his class of 220 students.
During Jim's span in High School, he received private lessons from a Berklee
Grad by the name of Grant Menefee. Jim also played in the snare line for the
Baltimore Colt's Marching Band for 3 years.
After High School, Jim auditioned for the United States Marine Corps. Band and
the next thing you know, he was on a bus headed for Parris Island. Jim Studied
for a year and graduated from the Armed Forces School of Music and was stationed
with the Marine Band in Quantico VA. A typical day in the life for this band
consisted of: Formation at 7am, strap on a marching snare and March to the
center of the base and play colors. 2 hour concert band rehearsal, suit up and
head out to play a concert w/ the Big Band jazz ensemble, eat lunch, private
practice then off to play a Graduation Ceremony for The FBI Academy (which is
located on Quantico Marine Corps base). Then change uniforms and head out to
play in the jazz combo for an evening reception for the General's. Jim spent 5
years playing for the Marine Band.
Jim enjoys being a freelance percussionist, and has done Session Work for:
Jim has performed or performs with the following Groups:
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