Jim Slick’s (yes, his real last name) musical background in Pennsylvania and New Jersey is quite extensive. Jim has performed with some of the biggest local bands (in the Lehigh Valley and New Jersey) back in the 80’s, 90’s, and 00’s and has opened for bands such as Boston, Zebra, and Nazareth, just to name a few. His largest gig was with his last band, Zuka (ASi Music), at the Meadowlands in New Jersey playing to 27,000 plus fans!

Zuka was a major project for the last eight years. The bands originals have been played in rotation on over 160 radio stations on the East coast. They were featured in many national and international music magazines as well as had press coverage from folks like Bob Ludwig (who did the mastering on our last CD) in which he stated Jim’s lead work was the highlight of the CD. Many folks at WZZO in Allentown were/are fans of Zuka and they have featured us many times on that station. Zuka was their guest at Musikfest three years in a row with The Bearman sitting just off to Jim’s side of the stage (always stage left) .. he liked good lead work as well!

Jim has also done a ton of studio work for people as a hired lead guitarist, pianist, and even played accordion on a few songs! He's worked with pro studio musicians out of Nashville, NYC, and Philly over the years.

Jim was classically trained on piano starting at the ripe old age of five. His passion for music drove him to learn different instruments, accordion (yes, accordion) and needless to say, guitar. Jim was accepted into Berkley as a junior in high school, but never ended up there due to family conflict. Inspired back in the 70’s by Buck Dharma of Blue Oyster Cult and Rick Emmett of Triumph, Jim quickly learned the styles of both masters and was playing in local bands the age 16. A whole lot of years later, he is burning up the fret board better than ever! ...did I mention he plays accordion!

Jim’s style is probably described as a mix of Satriani meets Montrose meets Dharma meets Emmett meets Lifeson meets Petrucci …… well, you get the idea. He’s pulled a myriad of styles from dozens of players that he is a fan of and made a style quite his own. His passion for the instrument continues to grow and he has a sick array of guitars and amps (as well as a baby grand piano in his living room!).

Jim has multiple college degrees including Electrical Engineering and an MBA. He owns and operates a successful business in the Information Technology field in NEPA.
Favorite Bands: Blue Oyster Cult, Rush, Rick Emmett (Triumph), WhiteHeart, Boston, Marillion, Dream Theater, Toto, Al Stewart, Queensryche, Gamma, The Corrs, Shadow Gallery, Joe Satriani, and many many more.
Favorite Foods: Lobster and Filet Mignon!!! Guinness.
Favorite Drinks: Guinness, Guinness, Guinness, … oh and Ginger Ale.
Favorite Songs: Your Loving Heart and Cold Wind – Buck Dharma (solo), Saved by Love – Rick Emmett, Easter – Marillion, Limelight – Rush, Nosfaratu and Then Came The Last Days of May (actually everything) – Blue Oyster Cult.
Other interests: Family, Fast Cars (owns a modified C5 Corvette), Snowmobiling (4 racing sleds in garage!), Motorcycles, Music, Computer Games, and watching movies.