Jim McLaughlin has been a professional trombone player for over 45 years. Originally from the state of Connecticut, he attended the University of North Texas where he earned the Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Education. Following graduation, Jim moved back to Connecticut where he taught high school band for a short period before relocating to Las Vegas where he performed with various house orchestras on the Las Vegas strip. In 1982 he relocated to Houston where he continued to play professionally backing various touring acts and headline entertainers while playing with local top-40 cover bands and big bands including the Ed Gerlach Orchestra. From 1994-98 Jim relocated to Dallas where he played with various local bands including Pete Peterson and the Collection while earning his master’s degree in business (MBA) at the University of Dallas. He returned to Houston in 1998. Jim plays lead trombone in the HJO, serves on the Player’s Committee, and is President of the HJO Corp. 501(C)(3).