James Vukovich

A masterful artist with exceptional technique and the kind of feel for soulful music that you just can't teach. Such were the wonderful talents of musician, recording artist, conductor, arranger, composer and musical director Jim Vukovich. Jim began his fascination with music at an early age, plunking out Sunday School tunes on the family piano in Waukegan, Illinois. By age 8 he was also playing trumpet while listening to his mother's favorite recording artists on a record player in the basement. Greats like Aretha, Al Green, Eta James and The 5th Dimension began to shape his musical style. In the 80s Jim headed to Los Angeles and became an Arista Records recording artist and staff writer recording under the duo Fire On Blonde. He also began touring with artists like The Pointer Sisters, Rita Coolidge, Dionne Warwick, Freda Payne, Barry Manilow, David Foster and Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. of The 5th Dimension. But it was in pop/rock musicals that Jim truly hit his stride as a musical director and mentor to up and coming talent. Jim musically directed the Broadway National tours of Hairspray and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Whistle Down the Wind, the Broadway companies of The Wedding Singer and Hot Feet: The Music of Earth, Wind & Fire. He also musically directed numerous tours and regional productions of shows like Beehive, Twist and The Hunchback of Notre Dame among many others. In his later years Jim accepted a position at Houston Community College as the head of musical theater. He continued musical directing local productions, many at Houston's famous Theater Under the Stars.

It was an extraordinary life that took Jim from classical concert halls to recording studios, Broadway theaters and even Top of the Pops in London, each stop affording him deep and lasting lifelong friendships that he cherished. There is no doubt that Jim was taken from his friends and family too soon, but there is also no doubt that he lived his musical ambitions to the fullest, highest level, creating brilliant work and sharing his gifts with us all.

In his family circle 'Jimmy', was deeply loved and known as the fun, clever, quick-witted, adventurous and wonderfully sarcastic brother and uncle. As anyone who knew him knows, our lives were enriched by his dazzling smile that brightened any room he was in. His many nieces and nephews loved spending holidays with their cool uncle. The family was often given the pleasure of sharing a table together over food that he had prepared. His love of creating a meal where people he cared about gathered and shared was a heritage that began at the feet of the strong women in his family who raised him, his mother, grandmother, along with his sister. The thing about Jim is that where he was, there was life and laughter. We are leveled to lose him so soon and are so grateful that we have the memory of his brilliant light in our family’s life.

It is a comfort to know that Jim passed peacefully in his sleep on March 20, 2023, while being cared for at the Porter Hospice in Centennial Colorado where he received the kindest of care. Jim is survived by his brothers Mark Scheribel of Castle Rock, CO, and Blake Nahf (Dawn) of Beach Park, IL, Nieces and nephews: Shannon Ramey, Jeffrey Scheribel (Jennifer), Angela Garcia Scheribel (Charlie), Nathan Scheribel (Chula), Blake J. Nahf (Lyndsay), Cody Nahf (Heather), and Justin Nahf and many great nieces and nephews, and also Sue Scheribel.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, James and Winifred McAlister; his mother, June Smith, his sister Roxanne Ramey. A private memorial is being held by the family, but anyone interested in attending the public, virtual memorial for Jim on April 1st can email [email protected] and a link will be sent to you to join in. The family requests that any donations in Jim’s name be made to Porter Hospice in Centennial, CO or to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (Please see the links below).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.OlingerAndrews.com for the Vukovich family.