Jim Cox grew up in Champaign Illinois where he also attended and graduated from the University of Illinois in 1979. He has worked as a full time professional musician since then based out of Chicago. He toured with Earl "Fatha" Hines from 1979-82. He also worked regularly with Marian McPartland for almost 20 years. Jim continues to free lance locally and globally, performing and recording in various musical genres including jazz, klezmer, bluegrass, pop, cabaret and classical. Some of the artists he has worked with include Rosemary Clooney, Michael Feinstein, Debbie Boone, Liza Minelli, Ann Hampton Callaway, Christine Ebersol, Wesla Whitfield, Phil Woods, Don Stiernberg, Judy Roberts, Ray McKinley, The Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Chicago Sinfonietta, Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop.