Phineas
James ( aka Jim Dunn) has been creating original music since
college days while performing in a number of bands and vocal
ensembles. During those years, he also pursued formal music studies,
earning a BA from Rutgers University and an MA from S.U.N.Y.
Binghamton , majoring in Music Theory and Composition. While in
graduate school, he became involved in the newly emerging genre of
electronic music synthesis. In this formative period, he managed the
Electronic Music Studio at Binghamton University, and also
participated in
special classes with the legendary synthesizer designer, Robert
Moog at Cornell University and with composer Gershon Kingsley at the
New School in NYC.
Pictures
circa 1969-70
The first
synthesizer worked with was a Moog Modular System, part of the
electronic Music Studio at SUNY Binghamton.
The Moog was a
visually impressive beast, 
but
one which needed frequent re-tuning when you were recording with it,
due to constant oscillator drift. As can be seen in these pictures,
the Moog systems resembled early telephone switchboards, where
connections were made by multiple patch cords.
Phineas James has
conducted Electronic Music Seminars at various colleges. He has
worked with legendary synths like the ARP 2600 , and ARP Oydessy,
the
Mini-Moog, and more exotic early synths like the Putney
and Electro-Comp
EML-101 and EML-200.
Currently, in his
home studio, he works utilizing a mix of hardware and software
synths. He utilizes software emulations of some of the
vintage synths and to remind
him of those early patch cord days, is now exploring composing using
the Voltage Modular virtual synth platform. His music features strong
melodic
lines, and has been influenced by his exposure to multiple musical
genres, including Contemporary Classical, early electronic music
composers, Jazz, R&B, Reggae, New Age, Latin, Cajun and more. In
2010 he released his first CD of original music entitled
"Dream-Scapes".
Phineas James is
available for collaboration with other artists, especially
videographers and film makers.
