Jim Runfola can now put his name alongside the likes of Aretha Franklin courtesy of his most recent in a string of notable musical achievements.

On Aug. 3, it was announced that the Jamestown native is to be formally inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, alongside 11 other accomplished Buffalo area musicians, in an Oct. 6 gala at the Cardinal O’Hara Performing Arts Center.

“It feels really great to receive this honor,” Runfola said. “It’s rewarding to know that someone sees the effort I’ve put into everything I’ve done all these years. Apparently it was enough to make me worthy of being among this elite group of musicians.”

Runfola, who is now recognized as an all-star saxophonist, has long exemplified the characteristics of an impactful musician. He began his musical journey at the age of 10, when his father presented him with a saxophone and informed him that he would be playing the instrument in school. Upon his graduation from Jamestown High School in 1984, he attended SUNY Fredonia where he earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in music theory and composition.

He then relocated to the Buffalo area, where he made an immediate emergence onto the local music scene with his band J.J. Swing. Residing in Lockport, he splits his time between his duties as music director at Erie Community College’s north campus in Williamsville and performing at venues of all varieties near and far.

In addition to the success he has experienced with J.J. Swing, Runfola has established himself as a reliable studio and backing musician for a number of reputable artists. His resume includes performances alongside the likes of: the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra; the Goo Goo Dolls; 10,000 Maniacs; Johnny Mathis; and Greg Lake.

He has toured with Circus America and has performed on a number of Delta Queen Steamboat Company cruise lines. He has also performed abroad in the Middle East, Europe and Asia for shows contracted by the Department of Defense.

Locally, he has performed in more than 50 musicals at Erie Community College, and is the composer of three – one of which, entitled “Zooma Zooma,” won an award for “Best Musical” in 2004.

He is also proud to have passed on his love for music to his 10-year-old son, Jimmy, who is receiving his training on drums and piano, and occasionally sits in with J.J. Swing.

Runfola said he is looking forward to performing onstage with Aretha Franklin, who is also among the 2016 inductees, in the event that she chooses to attend the Oct. 6 gala in Tonawanda. Although not a Buffalo native, Franklin spent a portion of her childhood in the area, singing in local churches pastored by her father, C.L. Franklin, before her family relocated to Detroit just before her fifth birthday.

The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, a nonprofit organization, was established in 1983 to honor, preserve and protect the diverse musical heritage of Western New York through education, scholarship and performance; and to honor those individuals and groups who have made a major impact in the area music scene.

In order to become an inductee of the organization, an individual must be nominated by a current member and then provide as much information as possible about their respective music careers such as recordings, newspaper clippings and articles, and a full biography. The information is then placed before a committee, which then makes its decision on who will be inducted that year.

For more information about this year’s inductees and forthcoming induction ceremony, visit buffalomusic.org.