Jimbo Ross
Viola/Violin, Musician, Producer, Arranger, Composer
Jimbo Ross has spent decades performing and recording with some of the most respected names in music. As a session player, soloist, touring musician, and recording artist, Jimbo has performed on stages and in studios around the world, bringing his distinctive sound to virtually every genre of American music.
His extensive list of credits includes musical icons such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Michael Bublé, Paul McCartney, Ray Charles, James Brown, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, Sarah Vaughan, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Roy Orbison, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Earth, Wind & Fire, Elton John, Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker, Horace Silver, Teddy Edwards, and many more.
Jimbo's career has also included work with the Don Ellis Big Band with Electric String Quartet, Affirmation, Swingstreet, Dr. Jazz, The Rhythm Kings, Forever Tango, The Three Tenors, The Band’s The Last Waltz, Page & Plant, and the American Idol Band, among countless other projects and productions.
A Distinctive Sound
Jimbo is a true virtuoso string player whose instrument of choice is the electric viola, which he plays with a bow rather than a pick. This unusual approach gives his playing a sound and character that immediately distinguishes him from other performers.
His style combines raw energy, powerful punch, technical dexterity, and soulful expression. Whether performing in a recording studio or on a concert stage, Jimbo brings an unmistakable intensity to his music. Anyone who has experienced Jimbo performing live can attest to the energy and excitement he brings to the stage.
A Musician Without Boundaries
To call Jimbo Ross an eclectic performer is almost an understatement. His career spans an extraordinary range of musical styles and artists. His credits include session work with Pete Townshend, Bob Dylan, Johnny Mathis, The Moody Blues, Roy Orbison, Elton John, and many others, as well as touring with Led Zeppelin.
That breadth of experience reflects not only Jimbo's exceptional technical ability, but also his deep understanding of music in its many forms. From rock and pop to jazz, blues, classical, and beyond, he has earned the respect of musicians and audiences across generations.
At the heart of Jimbo's playing is a genuine love for the Blues and Jazz. He has taken that passion and translated it onto an instrument that most people would never immediately associate with those genres. The result is a distinctive and compelling musical voice that is unmistakably Jimbo Ross.
JIMBO ROSS on DISCOGS
Jimbo performing with Carrie Underwood on American Idol.
Jimbo at the Playboy Jazz Festival
Jimbo Ross performing at The Playboy Jazz Festival
Jimbo Ross - Viola