MEET THOMAS MIMS, III
Saxophonist. Composer. Educator.
Dallas-Fort Worth based, Thomas Mims III is taking the music scene by storm. Creating music that is creatively engaging, delicately artistic, and the balance of new and classic sound, Thomas is forging a path worth following. Studying under the principal saxophonist and soloist of the Dallas Wind Symphony, Donald Fabian, Mims found inspiration from him in the early stages of his career. Pulling inspiration from his life experiences, Thomas would find new inspiration through mentoring young children on a Southeast Africa trip. While in Malawi and South Africa, Thomas would share his love and passion for music with the young children in the villages and city, teaching them the sounds of the saxophone, an instrument they had never seen before. Witnessing the joy in their faces and the celebration of music would solidify Thomas’ passion for the saxophone and encourage his sharing of the world’s international language, music.
As an emerging saxophonist, Mims, a University of North Texas Alumni relocated to Valencia, California and enhanced his studies of jazz by attending the Herb Alpert School of Music at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). Honing the saxophone, clarinet, and flute, Mims would take his talents to the world’s largest stages. Performing with Grammy Award- Winning artists Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Solange Knowles, Ted Nash, and Billy Childs, Mims has become a popular saxophonist on the local music circuit.
Having performed with other notable artists and groups such as Bennie Maupin, Wess Anderson, Joe LaBarbera, Queen Cora, Louis Cole, Alphonso Johnson, The Paul McDonald Big Band, GO Jazz Big Band, Skip Spiro, and The Gamelan Burat Wangi, Mims has diversified his portfolio gaining him recognition and accolades such as the Outstanding Performance Award recipient at the Jazz Education Network Conference and being a recording artist on CalArts’ Annual Jazz albums at Capitol Records Studios.
During his time in California, Mims was also selected to participate in the renowned Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute in Chicago and selected as the Tim & Neda Disney Trustee Annual Scholar at CalArts. Mims was also a member of the Ghanian fusion band, Adinkra, which recorded their debut album Sefofo. He was also the adjunct saxophone professor at Los Angeles Pierce College. Mims is currently the saxophone private lesson teacher in Burleson ISD, Joshua ISD, and Crowley ISD.
