Santa Barbara violin maker James Wimmer was in Chennai, India in November, 2013 to teach European style violin repair and restoration to a class of 10 hand-picked craftsmen and musicians. This is the first time in the history of the violin in the ancient tradition of South Indian Carnatic classical music that such a program has been undertaken. The program is funded by the Lalgudi Trust, founded by India’s legendary violinist Lalgudi G. Jayaraman. The program is also receiving generous support from corporate as well as private sponsors. Spearheading this effort are Mr. Jayaraman’s son Lalgudi G.J.R. Krishnan and daughter Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi, both of whom travel worldwide as solo performers and renowned ambassadors of Carnatic music.
James Wimmer (www.jameswimmer.com) trained in Germany and established his shop in Santa Barbara in 1986. He has since made over 200 instruments, including violins, violas, cellos and baroque stringed instruments, and several years ago completed the Hubert Schwyzer quartet, a matched set of 2 violins, viola, and cello for Westmont College, Montecito. His clients include well known classical musicians as well as professional traditional musicians from many different styles. His current assistant Alexandra Armanino is aiding in the program as assistant instructor.
On a personal note, I have known Jim since 2000 when I was in UC-Santa Barbara. Our mutual love for Carnatic music, the violin and the Lalgudi bani brought us together and since then we have been very close friends with many memorable moments. It has been Jim’s dream to do this workshop in India and over the years his tireless efforts to get grants never panned out, and he finally decided after almost 30 years to throw in the towel. Not one to see him give up easily, I was really glad when I broached the idea to my Guru Lalgudi G.J.R. Krishnan who also happened to be thinking along these lines, and viola… before we knew everything fell into place so perfectly (it was unbelievable) and Jim is in Chennai now.
I managed to steal a couple of weeks away to be in Chennai and visit with Jim and Guru G.J.R. Krishnan.
James Wimmer (www.jameswimmer.com) trained in Germany and established his shop in Santa Barbara in 1986. He has since made over 200 instruments, including violins, violas, cellos and baroque stringed instruments, and several years ago completed the Hubert Schwyzer quartet, a matched set of 2 violins, viola, and cello for Westmont College, Montecito. His clients include well known classical musicians as well as professional traditional musicians from many different styles. His current assistant Alexandra Armanino is aiding in the program as assistant instructor.
On a personal note, I have known Jim since 2000 when I was in UC-Santa Barbara. Our mutual love for Carnatic music, the violin and the Lalgudi bani brought us together and since then we have been very close friends with many memorable moments. It has been Jim’s dream to do this workshop in India and over the years his tireless efforts to get grants never panned out, and he finally decided after almost 30 years to throw in the towel. Not one to see him give up easily, I was really glad when I broached the idea to my Guru Lalgudi G.J.R. Krishnan who also happened to be thinking along these lines, and viola… before we knew everything fell into place so perfectly (it was unbelievable) and Jim is in Chennai now.
I managed to steal a couple of weeks away to be in Chennai and visit with Jim and Guru G.J.R. Krishnan.