rust belt rock n soul


https://youtu.be/lSu_83RvWn4?si=oDfTchfDzRnNhm0S

https://www.instagram.com/stackolee44?igsh=ZGN3dXY0aWV5M3J0

James G. Joustra 2nd was born and raised in Western New York State, where he began music at an early age. Shortly after beginning studies on Trombone at age 9, Jim also began studying guitar with two local guitar players; Ron LoCurto and Ralph Fava. Throughout his time at Lockport High School, he played in countless bands and ensembles, (inside and outside of school hours) refining his jazz and blues chops. Jim and his friends could always be found at the Lafayette Tap Room in Buffalo, NY and such clubs as Nietzsche's, Braccettos, and (a favorite) Gonzo's in downtown Lockport, NY.

In 2005, Jim was accepted to study at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. During his his time at Berklee, he was able to study and jam with such well known professors as Bruce Bartlett, Garrison Felwell, and Craig Hlady. While pursuing performances in the Boston areas, Joustra studied large-ensemble jazz techniques with Dick Lowell and Ken Pullig.; two pillars of the Berklee Jazz Composition Program. Upon graduating with a degree in Jazz Composition and Guitar Performance, Jim again hit the New York City music scene with more than a few groups in genres such as neo-folk, jazz, jazz fusion, and rock. In 2013, Jim performed lead guitar duties on the debut record "Distant Shores" by The Fine Machines. 

Outside of Jim's own performances and studio recordings with his Jim Joustra Trio and Quartets, he's had the honor of sitting in with such elite musicians as  Robert Cray, Donald "Duck" Dunn, Matt "Guitar" Murphy, James Cotton, and Levon Helm. The now defunct 'Smokin Joe's BBQ' in Brighton Center, MA was the mecca for last minute sit-ins and long, long after-hours jam sessions!

Currently, Jim is based in Jersey City, NJ and playing gigs across the NYC Metro are0as. At the moment he's working on a solo guitar LP as well as an all-acoustic EP and very exciting writings for the newly re-formulated Jim Joustra Trio. He's anticipating follow-up dates and live recordings from each set of shows.

Andrew Herman & Dennis Clifton - original music covering previous project 'Magictonez' in a transformation for the modern world.  (unless this has not been updated since late 2022)

Bobby Irwin is following