James Zimmermann, who was principal clarinetist of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra for more than a decade, was fired in 2020 for his stance against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), according to his claim.
The Tennessee-based musician has an impressive portfolio that includes a performance at Barack Obama’s second inauguration and numerous credits in video games and films. But talent is not enough in the DEI world.
Zimmermann is now suing the Knoxville Symphony after he was denied a job despite unanimously winning a blind audition for solo clarinet.
The Washington Free Beacon has done just that extensive background information on his dismissal from Nashville.
Zimmermann also served as principal clarinetist of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra for more than a decade until the orchestra fired him last February amid allegations of racial harassment. To hear his accusers tell it, Zimmermann had insulted, intimidated and even stalked his black colleagues, going so far as to drive menacingly past their homes. Human Resources had already warned the clarinetist in 2019 that his behavior could be grounds for dismissal, the orchestra claimed in its dismissal letter to Zimmermann. His refusal to heed that warning was ostensibly the reason he was fired in 2020.
But six of Zimmermann’s former colleagues and the orchestra’s own documents tell a very different story. They suggest that Zimmermann himself was the target of a witch hunt, instigated by a black oboist for whom Zimmermann had stuck his neck out to help.
Despite the injustice, Zimmermann attempted to return to the podium in 2025. He attended a blind audition for solo clarinet for the Knoxville Symphony, which he won unanimously.
But two days later, Zimmermann says, Knoxville Symphony CEO Rachel Ford called to tell him he wouldn’t be getting a job offer.
Zimmermann shared details of his lawsuit against Knoxville Symphony, noting, “These orchestras cannot continue to throw away their best players to make room for diversity hiring and to put race and politics ahead of merit and ability.”
Zimmermann claimed on
“In response, I sued the Knoxville Symphony two weeks ago for a year’s salary plus $25,000 for the 100 hours I spent practicing for the audition.”
“But this isn’t just about money, it’s also about pushing back on these symphony CEOs who continue to put race and politics above merit and skill.”
“Someone has to stop our symphonies from being sacrificed on the altar of ‘diversity’ and no one is better positioned to do that than me. I wish I didn’t have to do it, but I’m doing it anyway.”
“I was excited to take the stage with the Knoxville Symphony, but instead I see them in the courtroom. If Knoxville thought I was going to walk away from this, they were sorely mistaken.”
Watch:
BLACKLISTED: In September, the Knoxville Symphony invited me to their blind audition for solo clarinet, which I won by unanimous decision. Two days later, their CEO called and refused to hire me, citing my expulsion from the Nashville Symphony six years ago for opposing DEI as the… pic.twitter.com/fmM0B9Lzl1
— slimzim (@jameszimmermann) January 5, 2026
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