James Kitchen comes from a family which his mothers side over four generations has produced musicians, actors and dancers, some professional and some amateur.  Almost all were taught by his grandfather Sam Lowry, a brilliant euphonium player and a committed Salvationist, with whom Jimmy, in 1948 began his musical education.

A year later Jimmy joined his local Bloomfield Silver Band and by 1954 as Principal Cornet player helped the band achieve a treble which has never been repeated, NIBA, BBL, Intermediate Sections and the Senior March Contest.  He became Assistant Conductor when only 17, and remained in post until he joined the 1st Old Boys in 1963.  After a spell as Assistant Principal Cornet to John Milan he was moved to Soprano Cornet and in 1966 was appointed Assistant Conductor by AG Burch.  He then became Musical Director of the Reid Memorial Band and there followed one of the most successful periods in the band’s history.  In almost three years the band were beaten into 2nd place only once.

Jimmy resigned from his positions as player and Assistant Conductor of the 1st Old Boy’s in 1989 after taking over the MD post of Laganvale which made notable progress over the next few years.

Jimmy has played in every massed composite band in Northern Ireland from 1955 to 1989 and feels that the grounding given by his grandfather has had a marked effect on his successes and achievements.

Jimmy has also adjudicated at The Masters in 1992 and 1995.

Jimmy became the conductor of Newtownards Silver Band in the late 1990’s and the band has enjoyed success since then winning the section three competitions of the Brass Band League and  Northern Ireland Bands Association. Jimmy has won competitions at every level within Northern Ireland and still has a great desire to make Newtownards Silver Band more successful.