James Gholson Jr

James Gholson, DMA, is retired Professor of Clarinet at the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music and retired clarinet principal of the Memphis Symphony. He holds an undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts from The Catholic University. His major teachers include Elsa Verdehr, Keith Stein, Sidney Forrest, and Anthony Gigliotti. As a member of the United States Navy Band, Washington, D.C., he appeared frequently as soloist. Dr. Gholson performs regularly as clarinetist with the Eroica Ensemble and is clarinetist emeritus of the Memphis Woodwind Quintet. Jim is the author of The "Seasoned Clarinetist," "MemNoire," "TIGHT," "Reading Rampage," "FEETS," "Demon in the Milky Way" and the UNITUS (http://www.unitus.org) website. Affectionately called "Dr. G.," James is the 2007 winner of the FLAME award given by the University of Memphis and is a board member with the Eroica Ensemble and Concerts International.

Gholson studied clarinet in the Washington D.C. studio of Mr. Forrest, two blocks from the statue of General George H. Thomas. Gen. Thomas led the Union Army at the Battle of Nashville. He was first among Civil War generals to use African-American volunteers strategically in his battle plans.

In his first novel, "Feets" Roche is an apprentice blacksmith caught up in the turmoil of Civil War Memphis. Moved to act by his desire for freedom, Feets makes a startling discovery at Fort Pillow that motivates him to join the Union Army and fight at the 2nd Battle of Nashville. Since his days as a student, Gholson has tramped battlefields at Shiloh, Fort Pillow, Vicksburg, Gettysburg, Harper's Ferry, Chickamauga and others, doing background research for the book. He tells "Feets" Roche's story as historical fiction since most slaves of that period could not read. Few self-documented African-American records exist of the political, military or ethical issues facing blacks of that time.