A philosopher and a saxophonist, Jim Ryan was more known for the former until his decision to take up jazz during the late 1960's. Often frequenting the beat poet gatherings and free jazz concerts that appealed to the fringes of the art world, he began to listen to avant-garde musicians like Archie Shepp and the Art Ensemble of Chicago. Inspired, he came to the U.S. in 1975 and set up shop in San Francisco's Bay Area in order to dedicate more time to his saxophone work. By the mid-90's, he was a major part of the Bay Area improv scene and began work on Forward Energy: Configurations 2002. By 2002, he had finished the album and it found a home on Edgetone Records. ~ Bradley Torreano