Jim Culbertson has been the driving force in the Decatur, IL. West End Music program in Decatur for 38 years, preparing hundreds of students for careers in music as teachers and performers as well as instilling an appreciation for music that can last a lifetime. For the past 32 years he has led the MacArthur High School Band Program, in which the Jazz Band has earned the distinction as one of the premier jazz groups in the US. The band has been awarded 37 Down Beat magazine Student Music Awards in an assortment of categories, garnering the top spot as the Best High School Jazz Band in the U.S. four times (1989, 1991, 1992 and 2002) and best jazz combo twice (2002 & 2008). The jazz band has traveled extensively, including performances in Japan and at the North Sea, Montreux, Umbria, and Vienne Jazz Festivals. Besides Jim’s duties at MacArthur HS which includes 4 concert bands, marching band, pep band, 2 jazz bands and jazz combo, he also assist with the bands at Stephen Decatur Middle School.

Culbertson has served as Musical Director and Conductor for the Decatur Municipal Band since 1979 and continues to be active serving as guest clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States in both the jazz and concert areas. He has served as Vice-President of the Jazz Division of the Illinois Music Educators Association and is the past Vice-President of the Illinois unit of IAJE. He is also been involved with writing reviews of new jazz band publications for The Instrumentalist magazine 1990-2005. Jim was National Band Association jazz chair from 1999-2003 and also served as the coordinator and director of the NBA All- American Jazz Band for the 2000 convention in San Antonio. Jim was a member of the Resource Team for the International Association of Jazz Educators, 2000-2008.

Jim was selected by Downbeat Magazine (June 2009 Issue), to receive the “National Jazz Educator Achievement Award for 2009”. Chosen by the Downbeat staff and international leaders in the field, Mr. C was one of only three jazz educators to receive this prestigious honor as a result of his work with students at MacArthur through the years and his 37 year history of being a leader in jazz education.

Jim is still very active as a performer, most recently touring the country, playing trumpet in the band for GRP/Verve recording artist and Jim’s son, Brian Culbertson (2003-2008). Jim and his wife Carol have made their home in Decatur, Illinois for the past 38 years and proud parents of their daughter Jamie, who lives in Chicago and their son Brian and his wife Michelle who live in Los Angeles, California.