James Bean

James Bean, a native of Beverly, MA, and a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, joined the Naval Academy Band in 1985 and was named principal trumpeter three years later. A distinguished Naval career for 22 years, Bean performed with the Naval Academy’s jazz ensemble, led the brass quintet, and was featured as soloist with the concert band on numerous occasions. Achieving the rank of senior chief musician, he was one of the band’s ceremonial leaders, and conducted countless ceremonies for many national and foreign dignitaries, including the Vice President and the Secretary of the Navy. In addition to playing professionally with the Navy, he has been fortunate enough to perform with such luminaries as world-renowned maestro Leonard Slatkin, composer Marvin Hamlisch, and jazz greats Phil Wilson, Eddie Daniels, Bobby Shew, and Clark Terry. Recently, he performed with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Pops in a series of performances featuring the music of John Williams.  After retiring from the Navy in 2007, Bean began a second career as a music educator. A teacher in Queen Anne’s County for 6 years, Bean was director of bands at Matapeake Middle School, building the program from some 40 students to well over 100, earning superior and excellent awards at multiple Music in the Park competitions. Additionally, in 2013, his band earned a superior rating at the Maryland State Band Festival, receiving a prestigious invitation to perform at the 2014 Maryland Music Educators Convention in Baltimore.