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MySpace BackgroundsOn an academic level, Sims has all the right bases-or shall we say "bassists" covered. The structural inspiration for his music began after his move to Boston from Chicago. Sims attended Berklee College of Music in Boston where he majored in music theory, composition, and arranging. While studing at Berklee he also studied and was associated with the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts, also in Boston. The inspiration for his first musical improvisations beyond academia came after joining a band formed of Berklee graduates which began touring the East Coast. Sims' early musical experimentations in Jazz, R&B, Funk, Gospel, and Reggae were obvious outgrowths of the many local "jam sessions" played throughout Boston, New York, and New Jersey during this period.Most revealing was Sims' ability to stay musically "tuned-in" --- particularly to members of the jazz community --- for innovations in music improvisation. Constantly in a state of readiness, he studied and performed with greats such as Randy Weston, Ernie Wilkens, Rich Appleman,John Neves, and others --- whenever, wherever, and as often as he could.
Make no mistake about it, Sims paid his dues during those years and he lived the life --- a life of grueling schedules, woefully bad food, and relative small wages, in towns whose names are now easily forgotten. Such was the price paid for the chance to scale the next musical mountain, to deliver the next all-absorbing solo, and to hit the next chord that would propel him and his art down the path toward a deeper musical fulfillment.
Ultimately, the journey over life's musical avenues led Sims back home to Chicago. Dexter’s relocation and his ever-deepening spiritual journey eventually led him to cross paths with some of Gospel Music’s pioneers. Dexter has shared in music Ministry with Rev. Maceo Woods and the Christian Tabernacle Church and with trumpeter/Music Minister Phil Driscoll. He is currently the bassist with the Wooten Choral Ensemble. The Ensemble is a Community Choir founded in 1949 by Dr. Robert E, Wooten Sr. and is dedicated to Blessing Souls and uplifting the human spirit.
“I believe that the ability to play an instrument is a gift……..A Blessing. I also think that because I have been given a gift I now owe something in returnâ€
Because of this belief, Dexter has a number of students that he teaches privately and he is an instructor on staff at the Dorolyn Academy of Music.
Dexter has accumulated a lengthy volume of credits-- from live performances at ETA and Black Ensemble Theaters, to studio recordings, accompaniments, CD recordings, and other free-lance projects. He founded his own record company (Nile Music) and his own publishing company (D.I.S.). And when you look at Sims' performance credentials, some of the great names are there -- Randy Weston, Alex Bugnon, Robert Irving III, Phil Cohran, Oscar Brown Jr., R-Kelly.
Certaintly his academic and instrumentation background, and his aspirations to build upon the already rich tradition of jazz, gospel, and R&B bespeaks of his qualifications to tackle and complete almost any musical assignment.
CD Available @ http://cdbaby.com/cd/sims