Dexter Sims

BIOGRAPHY. The structural inspiration for his music began after his move to Boston from Chicago. Dexter 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. Dexter's 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 his 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.