James DePreist was born on November 21, 1936 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He was married to Ginette DePreist and Betty Childress. He died on February 8, 2013 in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.
He was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2005.
Contracted polio while on a State Department-sponsored Asian tour in 1962, leaving both legs paralyzed. He continued his career, conducting in a wheelchair.
First African-American conductor of the Houston Symphony.