Jim Vukovich Cause of Death, Age, Bio, Career, Family

Jim Vukovich, Reowned Broadway Music director has passed away.

What Happened to Jim Vukovich?

James Vukovich, age 61, of Castle Rock, Colorado passed away on Monday, March 20, 2023. He is a Musician, recording artist, conductor, arranger, composer, and musical director.

His friend Frank Canino posted a message on social media. It says

R.I.P. Jim Vukovich – a truly talented musician and extremely unique personality. I heard he had a stroke last year but I don’t know any other details of his passing.

Laurel Land paid tributes through Social Media. It says,

My friend of more than 40 years, Jim Vukovich passed away last night. I will miss his charm, humor, and his incredible talent. Rest in peace, my friend.

This is devastating news for his friends and family. As soon as the News came out, Friends and Families are pouring condolence on Social Media.

Jim Vukovich Cause of Death

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 Schreiber 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.

A virtual memorial will be held for Jim on April 1. For more information, email JimmyVMemorial@gmail.com and a link will be sent to you. Jim’s friends request any donations in his name be made to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

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

Who is Jim Vukovich?

Jim Vukovich was born on September 6, 1961, in Waukegan, Illinois, USA. He was an actor and composer, known for Live to Tell: The First Gay Prom in America (1995), Lou Rawls Parade of Stars (1980), and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962). He died on March 20, 2023, in Castle Rock, Colorado, USA.

Jim’s theatrical credits include the Broadway national tours of Hairspray and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Whistle Down the Wind, as well as the Broadway productions of The Wedding Singer and Hot Feet: The Music of Earth, Wind & Fire. He also musically directed numerous tours and regional theater productions including Beehive, Twist, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame among many others.

Jim Vukovich Music Career

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. 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.

Obituary

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.

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.