We learned of Jim Stinnett while putting together the second edition of The Phish Companion, which had forewords from those who were music teachers to Phish: Jane Ambrose, who taught Trey at the University of Vermont; Paul Asbell, Trey’s guitar teacher at the University of Vermont; Dave Hanlon, Fishman’s only music teacher; Lois Harris, who taught all of them but Mike; and Jim Stinnet, Mike's bass instructor.

Jim taught hundreds of other students, primarily at Berklee College Of Music, before he passed away last Sunday. His family has invited celebration of his life on a Facebook post, and JamBase has assembled some videos including Mike's rememberances and Jim's guest appearance 12/29/95.

Here, we'd like to share Jim's part of that education-focused Foreword from nearly 17 years ago:

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