Check out Jamie's debut album: O Sorriso Dela!
Jamie's Biography
Jamie Ousley has been one of the most in-demand bassists in south Florida since he moved to Miami in the fall of 1998 to attend graduate school in the prestigious Jazz program of the University of Miami. He has since completed his Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Jazz Bass Performance and continues to perform and teach both locally and internationally.
Being the child of musical parents, Jamie began music at an early age. After learning to play the melody to "Star Wars" on the piano, his parents recognized a tallent and enrolled him in Suzuki violin lessons at the age of 5. He continued with violin in the public school orchestra program in Johnson City, Tennessee, but eventually switched to double bass in middle school. He's been plucking low notes for the past 20 years.
Jamie has performed with many artists including: Ira Sullivan, Duffy Jackson, Arturo Sandoval, Dave Liebman, John Fedchock, Maria Schneider, Vince Mendoza, Jim McNeeley, George Sheering, Nestor Torres, James Moody, Bucky and John Pizzarelli, Carmen Lundy, Harry Allen, Chip McNeill, Bob Berg, Greg Abate, Royce Campbell, Eddie Higgins, Vic Damone, Nicole Henry, Wendy Pedersen, Lisanne Lyons, Elin, Annie Sellick, Stephanie Nakasian, Hod O'Brien, and Les DeMerle.
Jamie has had the pleasure of performing for many celebrities, dignitaries, and heads of state including: President Bill Clinton, Governor Jeb Bush, Prince Albert of Monaco, King Kigeli V of Rwanda, Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie of Ethiopia, Janet Jackson, Queen of wardrobe mishaps, Kevin Richardson, Shirley MacLaine, Gloria Estefan, Heidi Klum, and the Dalai Lama.
Jamie has performed at many international jazz festivals and locations including: the Ballydehob International Jazz Festival in Ireland, the Montego Bay Jazz Festival in Jamaica, Festival Mizik Jakmel in Haiti, Marian's Jazz Room in Bern Switzerland, the Berlington Vermont Jazz Festival, "Jazz in June" in Lincoln Nebraska, Festival Miami, the International Association of Jazz Educators in New York and Los Angeles, and at "Azul" in Osaka Japan.
Jamie has studied music privately with Patrick Simpson, Don Coffman, Lucas Drew, and Vince Maggio. He has degrees from the following universities:
- B.A. Major in Music from Virginia Tech
- M.M. in Jazz Bass Performance from the University of Miami
- D.M.A. in Jazz Bass Performance from the University of Miami