Jim Norris Tribute Web Page

[David Schramm]

I have created a web page honoring the work of Jim Norris.
http://schrammguitars.com/norris.html If you knew Jim please send me some
info that we can upload to the web site to honor this great man.

Jim was a friend of John Williams and built guitars in the Smallman style in
Chicago, Illinois

Regards,

[No1z fool]

Hi Dave,

I believe Jim did his building in LaFarge Wisconsin. Jim was active in the
Madison classical guitar society which has become dormant since Jim's loss.

-Federico

[David Schramm]

Thank you. I will look into it.

[Matanya Ophee]

Post by No1z fool
Hi Dave,
I believe Jim did his building in LaFarge Wisconsin.

That's correct, Federico. He was working then at the HDH Cabinet shop
on the corner of Main and Maple in La Farge Wis.. I knew Jim very well
in the old days in Chicago (early 1960s) when I studied with Richard
Pick. He was then a guitarist mainly and was involved with the Old
Town School of Folk Music. I did not know him as a maker in those
days. Later, in 1966, I ran into him again in Chicago. He invited me
once to a John Williams concert he was sponsoring, after which we all
went to dinner together. A most lively dinner that was.

Then I lost track of him for many years, until we ran into each other
again at the GFA Festival in St. Louis i 1995 where we were both
exhibiting in the Vendor's fair. We kept in touch fairly often after
that. He bought a lot of music from me which he was re-selling in his
shop. And then he died.

Perhaps the most knowledgable person who would know about Jim, would
be, besides JW, the Japanese guitarist Jiro Matsuda (who goes these
days by the name Akinobu Matsuda). They were studying with JW at about
the same time in London and maintained a long friendship. Actually,
when I spoke with JW at the GFA Festival in Merida last year, both
their names came up in the conversation.


Matanya Ophee
Editions Orphe'e, Inc.,
1240 Clubview Blvd. N.
Columbus, OH 43235-1226
614-846-9517
fax: [phone]
http://www.orphee.com
http://www.orphee.com/rmcg/album-rmcg/album.html
http://www.savageclassical.com/rmcg/album-rmcg/album.html
http://www.livejournal.com/users/matanya/

[David Schramm]

Thanks Matanya,
I'm learning more and more about Jim. I wish I had the opportunity to meet
him.
--
David Schramm
Clovis, CA
http://schrammguitars.com
http://onlineapprentice.com

Post by Matanya Ophee

Post by No1z fool
Hi Dave,
I believe Jim did his building in LaFarge Wisconsin.

That's correct, Federico. He was working then at the HDH Cabinet shop
on the corner of Main and Maple in La Farge Wis.. I knew Jim very well
in the old days in Chicago (early 1960s) when I studied with Richard
Pick. He was then a guitarist mainly and was involved with the Old
Town School of Folk Music. I did not know him as a maker in those
days. Later, in 1966, I ran into him again in Chicago. He invited me
once to a John Williams concert he was sponsoring, after which we all
went to dinner together. A most lively dinner that was.
Then I lost track of him for many years, until we ran into each other
again at the GFA Festival in St. Louis i 1995 where we were both
exhibiting in the Vendor's fair. We kept in touch fairly often after
that. He bought a lot of music from me which he was re-selling in his
shop. And then he died.
Perhaps the most knowledgable person who would know about Jim, would
be, besides JW, the Japanese guitarist Jiro Matsuda (who goes these
days by the name Akinobu Matsuda). They were studying with JW at about
the same time in London and maintained a long friendship. Actually,
when I spoke with JW at the GFA Festival in Merida last year, both
their names came up in the conversation.
Matanya Ophee
Editions Orphe'e, Inc.,
1240 Clubview Blvd. N.
Columbus, OH 43235-1226
614-846-9517
fax: [phone]
http://www.orphee.com
http://www.orphee.com/rmcg/album-rmcg/album.html
http://www.savageclassical.com/rmcg/album-rmcg/album.html
http://www.livejournal.com/users/matanya/

[Kevin Gallagher]

Jim was also a masterful hunter and gunsmith as well. Early on he made both
guitars and guns, and then switched to guitars completely. Not sure if his
guns are still in existance though.....

Good Luck

Kevin

[David Schramm]

Thanks Kevin,
I love your web site http://www.guitar69.com I heard Jim was an expert
marksman!

Regards,

[Kevin Gallagher]

Thanks David

Here are some other people who knew Jim well which you may want to try and
contact

Oscar Ghiglia (knew Jim very well for about 40 years)

Charles Combe at the University of Oshkosh

Jack Ciccani (sp?) in Chicago- another long time friend

The Chicago Classical guitar society

The Madison Guitar Society

Best of Luck. I'll email you some stories soon.

Kevin

[David Schramm]

Thanks Kevin!
--
David Schramm
Clovis, CA
http://schrammguitars.com
http://onlineapprentice.com

Post by Kevin Gallagher
Thanks David
Here are some other people who knew Jim well which you may want to try and
contact
Oscar Ghiglia (knew Jim very well for about 40 years)
Charles Combe at the University of Oshkosh
Jack Ciccani (sp?) in Chicago- another long time friend
The Chicago Classical guitar society
The Madison Guitar Society
Best of Luck. I'll email you some stories soon.
Kevin

[No1z fool]

I was wondering if Jim had any guitars unfinished when he passed away. If you
find out about this Dave, I would be willing to help or coordinate a project to
finish the remaining ones. I don't live far from there.

-Federico

[David Schramm]

Post by No1z fool
I was wondering if Jim had any guitars unfinished when he passed away. If you
find out about this Dave, I would be willing to help or coordinate a project to
finish the remaining ones. I don't live far from there.

Brune bought out his remaining stock from his widow. Richard also has two of
his guitars for sale, $2,500 each !!!! I have photos of them which I will
upload sometime soon.

[j***@gmail.com]

I just came across a competition rifle made by a gentleman named Jim Norris. Wondering if it might be the same person. Do any of you folks know if Jim ever spent any time in Memphis, TN. That city is stamped next to his name.

[r***@cablelynx.com]

This is to Jeffro...I have one of those too. Please contact me for more info. Yes, he built rifles in Memphis!

[m***@gmail.com]

Post by Kevin Gallagher
Jim was also a masterful hunter and gunsmith as well. Early on he made both
guitars and guns, and then switched to guitars completely. Not sure if his
guns are still in existance though.....
Good Luck
Kevin

Hello Kevin, I just came into possession of a Jim Norris rifle. I found your post searching for more information on him. Wanted to share that a piece of his legacy is living on!

[Shanti Norris]

Hi,
I am Jim Norris daughter, Shanti Sharon Norris. My son Rahm Mandelkorn is a professional guitarist - he got some of his grandpa's genes. I have been looking for sound recordings of my dad playing guitar without success.

Does anyone out there have any that we can make a copy of?

Thanks,

Shanti Norris
202-494-9990

Post by Kevin Gallagher
Jim was also a masterful hunter and gunsmith as well. Early on he made both
guitars and guns, and then switched to guitars completely. Not sure if his
guns are still in existance though.....
Good Luck
Kevin

Hello Kevin, I just came into possession of a Jim Norris rifle. I found your post searching for more information on him. Wanted to share that a piece of his legacy is living on!

[m***@gmail.com]

Dave,

Great tribute page to Jim, thanks. Just randomly stumbled on it today. My father was a carpenter with him and fellow musician and maintained a great friendship with him. Spent many weekends at Jim's in La Farge in the 90's as a young boy. Fond memories of him playing guitar with my father, teaching me how to shoot my BB gun, and hell I even had to let my snapping turtle go in his pond after it got to big to keep.
Was too young to truly appreciate Jim for the man that he was. Great to see other people got to admire him and the work he did.

Mauricio Galarza.

[b***@gmail.com]

On eBay, a Jim Norris guitar in need of TLC
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1963-Handmade-Luthier-James-Norris-Classical-Guitar-Needs-Repair/222575839304?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

Post by David Schramm
I have created a web page honoring the work of Jim Norris.
http://schrammguitars.com/norris.html If you knew Jim please send me some
info that we can upload to the web site to honor this great man.
Jim was a friend of John Williams and built guitars in the Smallman style in
Chicago, Illinois
Regards,
--
David Schramm
Clovis, CA
http://schrammguitars.com
http://onlineapprentice.com