With a background that includes stints with Chase, Machito, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton and the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band, trumpeter Jim Oatts could earn a living as a jazz musician in just about any city of his choice. We are fortunate he chose Des Moines where he shares his musical knowledge with students at Southeast Polk Schools and shares his talents in numerous musical settings throughout the area.

The son of Iowa’s patron saint of high school jazz bands, Jack Oatts, Jim is the driving force behind the Des Moines Big Band, a group he began playing with in 1969 and took leadership of in 1979. Eight years later Jim helped get the band settled into its regular Monday night appearances originally at Spaghetti Works and now at Adventureland Inn in Altoona. In addition to the big band, Jim performs with the Tony Valdez Ensemble and numerous other local combos. 

His membership in the rock band Chase lead to his 2005 induction into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but it’s his dedication to keeping jazz alive in Des Moines through performance and education that has earned him inclusion in the CJC Jazz Hall of Fame.

                     Albums Featuring Jim Oatts:

Back in the Day

Photos

2008 CJC Jazz Hall of Fame Inductee:

with the Chase reunion band

Chase - Pure Music, 1974

Stan Kenton - Kenton ’76, 1976