Drum and folk Guitar

 

Kirby Bivans started his musical journey in Chicago where was a music major at The Center for

New Music at Columbia College. At the Center for New Music, Kirby had the privilege of studying Music, Theory, composition and Orchestration with both William Russo (musician and

composer for Stan Kenton, Duke Ellington and the San Francisco Symphony) and Herb Haslem

(worked with John Cage and Ravi Shankar). While at the center, Kirby also focused on Studio

Production and Engineering with Jerry Yester (producer for Lovin’ Spoonful, The Association,

Tim Buckley, Tom Waits and also worked with Phil Spector and Brian Wilson).

 

During his Chicago years, Kirby was associated with the Old Town School of Music, recorded an

album with folk legend Tom Paxton, and performed frequently with the Free Street Theater

including a 2 month tour of Europe. During this tour, Kirby gave percussion clinics to Paris public

In 1983 Kirby was invited to move to Nashville, Tennessee to work with the Oak Ridge Boys

publishing house as a recording musician. Kirby has toured and recorded with many country

and rock music stars; Randy Travis, Carl Perkins (famous for “Blue Suede Shoes”), Nicolette

Larson, Freddy Hart, Vassar Clements and Lorrie Morgan. Kirby has had the honor singing solo

on the famous stage of the Grand Ole Opry with the Jean Shepard Band.

 

In spring 1991, Kirby toured Switzerland, accompanying Nashville recording artist Karen Staley.

By the end of his Swiss tour, Kirby had fallen in love with Switzerland and decided to relocate to

the Geneva area. Since his arrival in Geneva, Kirby has created his own group, J. Kirby’s Band.

The group has recorded 4 original albums and performs a mixture of country music and 60’s

rock n’ roll in Switzerland and the neighboring EU countries. Kirby is also the director of La

Forge in Bogis Bossey, where, as studio engineer he has produced and recorded numerous

artists.

Kirby has maintained a private teaching studio as well as teaching drums and guitar at La Cote

International School in Aubonne, Geneva English School and Collège du Léman.

“I enjoy so much sharing my knowledge and enthusiasm with young students and look forward

to every day I teach.”