James Babor
Adjunct associate professor
- Program:Winds & Percussion
- Instrument:Percussion
James Babor has been a member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since 1993. In addition to his performances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Mr. Babor regularly participates in concerts for the Philharmonic’s Green Umbrella Series. His solo engagements have included performing the Xylorimba Solo in Oliver Messiaen’s Des Canyons Aux Etoles with Esa Pekka Salonen and the Los Angeles Philharmonic and again with Gustavo Dudamel conducting during the Philharmonic’s 2016 European tour.
Mr. Babor received his B.M. degree from Texas A&M University, Commerce in Commerce, Texas and his M.M. from the Cleveland Institute of Music in Cleveland, Ohio. Jim has studied with Richard Weiner, Paul Yancich, Cloyd Duff, and Doug Howard. He has also performed with the Cleveland Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony, the Seattle Symphony, the Kansas City Symphony, and the New World Symphony. He has also been fortunate enough to perform with So Percussion.
James Babor has recorded for Deutsche Grammophone, Sony, Telarc, Teldec, and London Records.
In April of 2012, Jim was the featured soloist in Jennifer Higdon’s Percussion Concerto during the University of Southern California’s “Visions and Voices: The Arts and Humanities Initiative”.
Mr. Babor has given master classes at numerous institutions throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, and the Far East: including the New England Conservatory, Boston College, the University of Miami, the Royal Conservatory and the San Francisco Conservatory. He has also given clinics at the Annual Percussive Arts International Convention sponsored by the Percussive Arts Society.
James is a Remo Orchestral Artist and an endorser of Pearl/Adams Percussion, Sabian Cymbals, and Freer Percussion Products. He is also on the faculty of the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California.
Mr. Babor is an accomplished Technical and Cave Diver. He holds certifications with Global Underwater Explorers for Cave Diver 2 and Rebreather Diver. James is very active in volunteering his time for Ghostnet removal and Project Baseline conservation initiatives. He is also an active NAUI Underwater Dive Instructor.
Academic degrees
- Cleveland Institute of Music
- Texas A&M, Commerce
Studied with:
Cloyd Duff, Doug Howard, Richard Weiner, Paul Yancich