James Osborn

James Osborn founded the Vassar College Jazz Ensemble in 1984 and the Vassar Jazz Combo program in 2004. Mr. Osborn also directs the Vassar College Community Wind Ensemble and is the trumpet instructor at the college. He directs ensembles at Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park and maintains a private trumpet studio of twenty-five students at his home in LaGrangeville. He is a Past–President of the Dutchess County Music Educator’s Association and is the founder and current chairman of the DCMEA Annual Jazz Festival, currently in its eleventh year. Mr. Osborn is also a very active performer with both his own group, The Jim Osborn Orchestra (a seven-piece band), and as a freelance trumpeter. He has played lead trumpet for many notable musicians and musical groups, including The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Jimmy Sturr Band, Bobby Vinton, Tony Bennett, and Sammy Kaye. He also performs with many brass ensembles, orchestras, and church ensembles throughout the Northeast.