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Jim Perkins got his first taste of music during his early school years performing classical pieces under the tutelage of Joe McCartney. He found a real joy in the classical works but also had a penchant for rock and heavy metal introduced to him by his brother who was learning guitar and bass. He started a band with his high school friends and went on to achieve national recognition at the Smoke-free Rock quest for 2 consecutive years.

From there he studied music at Whitireia Community Polytechnic and then at the NZSM and attained a Diploma in Rock/Commercial Music and a Degree in Jazz Performance Guitar respectively

While studying music he worked relentlessly in covers bands and in various rock groups and jazz combos as a session guitarist finally arriving in the NZ Reggae legend David Grace's Band. From there he toured the North Island as the principal guitar player and recorded on David's Rebelling EP. That same year the David Grace band also landed a gig as the backing band for reggae legend Andrew Tosh son of Peter Tosh which Culminated in an outstanding performance at the reggae Festival Xodus in 2014.

Not long after Jim discovered the Bluegrass/Americana style and hasn't looked back since. Now he is based in the Cook Islands where he is composing and collaborating with other musicians in the local music scene as well as doing some session work.

Jim is currently working on material for a full length album. You can check out his EP here.
 

Credits
 

Across The Great Divide – Indie/Folk/Trad Guitarist
David Grace and Injustice - Rock/Reggae Guitarist/Arranger/Vocals
Andrew Tosh – Reggae Guitarist backing/vocalist
John O'connor - Blues/Rock Guitarist
The Jim Perkins Group - Bluegrass/Americana/Folk Singer/Guitarist
Osiris - Groove Metal Guitarist/Composer/Songwriter/Singer
The Plan - Metal/Hard Rock/Progressive Metal Songwriter/Composer/guitarist
Jim Perkins - Americana/Folk/Country/Bluegrass Guitarist/Composer/Singer/Songwriter
Night Train - Jazz Combo Guitarist
Diva Mahal - Aretha Franklin Tribute. Guitarist.