Composer, pianist and bandleader James (Jimmy) Sheldon Geil Jr. was born 20 September, 1926 in Bandon, Oregon, USA. A talented pianist, he worked for various dance bands after World War II.
In 1953 he performed his "Nob Hill Nocturne" for piano and orchestra. Sheldon later joined the Horace Heidt band on tour and on television. In 1966 he was named Director of the USO-Hollywood Overseas Committee, responsible for USO shows performing in the Pacific Theatre, specifically Viet Nam. In 1967 he became Director of USO Shows worldwide where he remained for a decade, first in Hollywood, then in New York. After work as a radio DJ, in 1985 he retired to Silverton, Oregon, USA and died there 2 September, 2000.