James Campbell has received worldwide recognition as a performer, pedagogue and author, and is a respected figure in the development of the contemporary percussion ensemble. He has toured extensively throughout North, South, and Central America, Europe, and Asia. Currently Provost’s Distinguished Service Professor of Music and Director of Percussion Studies at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, he also holds the positions of Principal Percussionist with the Lexington Philharmonic, drummer with the Kentucky Jazz Repertory Orchestra, and Past-President of the Percussive Arts Society.

Well known for his long past association with the internationally renowned Rosemont Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, Jim has served as their principal instructor, arranger, and Program Coordinator and was named to the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame in 2008. He was Percussion Director for the McDonald’s All-American High School Band and has performed at the International Society of Music Education World Conference, International Patagonia Percussion Festival, Journèes de la Percussion, PercuSonidos Percussion Festival, Australian Percussion Eisteddfod, MENC National In-Service Conference, Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic, MusicFest Canada, All-Japan Band Clinic, Music for All World Percussion Symposium, state MEA conventions across the country, and frequently appears as an artist at the Percussive Arts Society International Conventions (PASIC).

Jim is an endorsee for Innovative Percussion, Evans Drumheads, Grover Pro Percussion and is a member of the Latin Percussion Educational Advisory Board. He is a clinician for the Avedis Zildjian Cymbal Company and a Performing Artist for Yamaha Corporation of America, Band & Orchestra Division.