The Queen's Chair: Entertainment Spotlight on Jimmie Highsmith

Jimmie Highsmith is definitely living out his dreams. As a professional musician, he practices three hours a day,plays in concert four to five times a month, gives private lessons, and writes music. During this interview we talk about his latest CD project, "For The Love of SOTA." The first 1,000 cds sold are a fundraiser for The Friends of The School of the Arts," he continues. "The CD is available at all stores: The Record Archive and The Bop Shop. The Friends group will use the proceeds to help low income kids interested in music."

"Music is my first love. Luckily for me, it worked out that way," he explains. "People know me through my music. My music affects their lives and the way they think. You never know what people are thinking. I had one lady who thanked me for my music because she named her child after me."

Jimmie began studying piano, which created an early basis for his song writing later. He began playing the saxophone, shortly thereafter. Recognizing Jimmie's promising potential, he was guided to study music at the Hochstein
School of Music where he honed his ability to musically shine and stand out from his peers. At School of the Arts, Jimmie was exposed to a musically competitive environment of band competitions, jazz combo performances, composition classes and other competitive solo scenarios. During his senior year, he auditioned for and was accepted into the prestigious Eastman School of Music, where he played Baritone sax in the Eastman School of Music Jazz Ensemble.


After high school, Jimmie enlisted in the US Air Force. While stationed in New Jersey, Jimmie found himself in the ideal location to access the New York and Philadelphia jazz scenes. During this time, Jimmie formed a jazz band consisting of musicians from both the US Air Force and Army. The band played at many military events and performed in various countries as part of the entertainment for the International USO Tour and Tops in Blue. In 1992 Jimmie returned to Rochester where he launched his professional music career.

Critically acclaimed saxophonist Jimmie Highsmith has shared the stage with multiple Grammy Award winners, including Najee, Alicia Keys and Wynton Marsalis just too name a few. He has also recorded 5 top selling smooth jazz CD’s.


Highsmith doesn't take his musical blessings lightly."Making money isn't important to me," he stresses."I'm trying to contribute something positive back to our community. I take any blessing that I get."