Jim studied the trumpet at the Royal College of Music under Paul Archibald and Andy Crowley, where he also took conducting under Neil Thomson. He has played with various orchestras including the Chiesa Consort, the Senesino Players and the London International Orchestra of Academia, and as a soloist with the Luton Symphony Orchestra.

Jim also has a keen interest in jazz, having had residencies at The Belfry, Knightsbridge, and the Sun and Doves, Camberwell, he also leads and writes for his quartet and regularly plays with the Bell Street Jazz Band, Blue Chip and currently fronts the Rob Brian Quartet.

He has worked as a conductor and tutor for the Bedfordshire Youth Music Service, and as Musical Director for Punchdrunk Theatre Company, Gideon Reeling and Somerton Festival Band. He took over as Musical Director of the Sherborne Youth Band in 2012. Jim currently teaches at Bedford School and at various schools in Street as well as working as the music coach for Stagecoach in Shaftsbury.