Jim Bianco

Jim Bianco

Musician Jim Bianco live in Hollywood, CA at The Hotel Cafe on August 22, 2014

Jim Bianco performing live at The Hotel Cafe on August 22, 2014
Background information
Birth name James Michael Bianco III
Born March 25, 1976
Brooklyn, New York, US
Genres Rock, Americana, Singer-Songwriter
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, musician, producer
Instruments Vocals, piano, guitar, bass
Labels Steady Records (Independent), Hotel Café Records
Website www.jimbianco.com

Jim Bianco (born March 25, 1976) is a critically acclaimed independent musician, singer, songwriter and producer based in Los Angeles, California.

Biography

Early life

Born in Brooklyn, New York, on March 25, 1976, Bianco is the youngest child of James Bianco, Jr. and Jane (née Levy) Bianco. The family, which also includes one older sister, moved from Brooklyn to Long Island, New York. According to his biography, in 1979 Bianco’s father traded two 35 pound barbells and a bench press for the first upright piano in the Bianco home.[1] As a youth, Bianco studied piano and played bass guitar in local bands. Bianco graduated from high school in 1994 and from college in 1998.

Career

Los Angeles

After graduation, Bianco spent time in Europe. Upon returning to the United States, a friend from college invited Bianco to Los Angeles, California to play in his band. Bianco moved to Los Angeles in the spring of 2000. He played bass and wrote songs with the group until they disbanded. Bianco decided to learn to play the guitar, refine his singing skills and set about assembling a band of his own. He rented a room in West Los Angeles for $80 a month and practiced until he felt comfortable sharing his music.[1] He began attending open mic nights around Los Angeles, performing at least three nights a week. One evening he attended a songwriter night at a small coffee shop in Hollywood called the Hotel Café. Soon after, Bianco was invited to open for Gary Jules.[2]

The Hotel Café

Jim Bianco performing live at the Hotel Cafe on August 28, 2009.
Jim Bianco performing live at the Hotel Cafe on August 28, 2009.

The Hotel Café has grown from a small coffee shop into what is now considered one of the finest venues in Los Angeles. The Hotel Café has been credited for the renaissance of the Los Angeles singer/songwriter movement that began in the early 2000s.[3] Initiated by Gary Jules’ idea of creating a supportive space for artists to hone their craft, coupled with appropriate timing and genuine need, musicians began gravitating to the Hotel Café. In a cooperative effort, Bianco, along with fellow musicians Gary Jules, Cary Brothers and owners Marko Schafer and Max Mamikunian, worked together to transform the space, book, promote and perform shows. Their efforts received a big promotional push from legendary KCRW music director Nic Harcourt. Today, the Hotel Café is considered one of the best venues in Los Angeles, noted for the superior sound, intimate setting and quality of the acts that perform on the bill.[4][5]

Bianco is a regular performer at the Hotel Café and his residencies are a popular favorite.[6] Usually playing with his full band, Bianco’s sets have a reputation for being sold-out, high energy and sexually charged events. On occasion, Bianco has rented a catwalk and invited his burlesque dancer friends to perform and throw feathers during his set.[7] Bianco is also known for eliminating the traditional fourth wall between audience and performer by leading his band into the center of the audience during his song “Sing” encouraging audience participation, which culminates in a sing-along.[8][9]

On March 4, 2008, Bianco’s album “Sing” was the first album released on the Hotel Café Records label. Bianco has said that most of the songs on the album had been composed on the piano in the back room at the Hotel Café after regular club hours.[8]

Cary Brothers is credited for initiating and producing the Hotel Cafe Tour that began in 2005.[5] Bianco has been included in the roster of headlining performers on the tour since its inception. He is one of the few of the Hotel Café artists that has participated in both the US and European legs of the tour. Other notable artists that have participated in this event are: Jessie Baylin, Sara Bareilles, Cary Brothers, Holly Conlan, William Fitzsimmons, Greg Laswell, Imogen Heap, Gary Jules, Tom McRae, Mandy Moore, Ingrid Michaelson, Meiko, Alexi Murdoch, Jay Nash, Katy Perry, Joe Purdy, Joshua Radin, Buddy, KT Tunstall, Butch Walker, The Weepies, Dan Wilson, Brian Wright and Rachael Yamagata.

The Band

Bianco's band consists of Matt DeMerritt (aka Matty D) on saxophone, piano and flute, Brad Gordon (aka Professor Beeg) on keyboard, trumpet, clarinet and accordion, Kenny Lyon on electric guitar, Jason Pipkin (aka Pip) on drums, Josef Zimmerman (aka Joe EZ) on upright bass.

Bianco’s full band was established by 2003. The first official member to join the band was drummer, Jason Pipkin. Bianco met Pipkin at a gig the day that Pipkin arrived in California from Texas. Bianco asked Kenny Lyon (then just a friend) to suggest a bass player and was introduced to Josef Zimmerman. Bianco began looking for a saxophone player and Zimmerman suggested Matt DeMerritt. After seeing Bianco’s show, multi-instrumentalist Brad Gordon joined the crew offering to play keyboard, trumpet, clarinet and accordion. After seeing Bianco’s show at The Mint in Los Angeles, Kenny Lyon decided to join the band.

In 2014, Bianco formed his 12 piece band Forniquette. Bianco describes their sound as "modern brothel music." The members of Forniquette are Jim Bianco (Vocals), Alex Budman (Clarinet/Tenor), Jon Flower (Bass), Jordan Katz (trumpet), Phil Krohnengold (Accordion), Elizabeth Lea (Trombone), Danny Levin (Trumpet),Chris Lovejoy (Percussion),Nick Mancini (Vibes), David Moyer (Baritone Sax), Jason Pipkin (drums), David Ralicke (Trombone).

Albums

Bianco has officially released four studio albums:

Bianco’s unofficial releases include

He has also released one studio EP of ballads titled "Painkiller" and one live album titled "Jim Bianco Live at the Hotel Cafe."

Prior to restructuring the CDBaby Top Sellers format in July 2009, three of Bianco’s albums were ranked among the top 50 best sellers in the following categories:

Bianco is expected to release an ep with his 12 piece band Fourniquette in 2015.

Career highlights

Touring

Bianco has shared billing with many notable acts including: Squeeze, Gary Jules, Steve Earle, Levon Helm, Shelby Lynne, Amy Macdonald, Tift Merritt, Johnette Napolitano, Concrete Blonde, Over the Rhine, Neil Finn, Josh Ritter, Joshua Radin, Bleu, Garrison Starr, Loudon Wainwright III, Amber Rubarth, The Milk Carton Kids, Jenny Owen Youngs and many more.

In 2002, Keiji Matsumoto, a Japanese independent record store owner, discovered “Well Within Reason” online and contacted Bianco about selling the album in his store Café Goattee.[11] The album sold out quickly and with the release of “Handsome Devil” in 2004, Matsumoto booked Bianco on a tour across Japan in February 2005. Accompanied by Brad Gordon and Jason Pipkin, Bianco played all over the country. In 2006, Bianco released his album "Steady" in Japan. Bianco, again with Brad Gordon and Jason Pipkin, toured Japan in April 2006 and returned for their third tour in June 2009. In April 2010, Bianco returned to Japan for an acoustic tour, playing six shows in five cities. In March 2012, Bianco returned to Japan for a seven city tour with Gary Jules.

Documentaries

Television appearances

Television placements

Advertisements

Movie placements

Live concert video

Music videos

Guest appearances

Short films

Films created and produced by Jim Bianco

Discography

Studio albums

Unofficial Releases

Live albums

EPs

(includes four bonus short films by Jim Bianco)

Compilations

Collaborations

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Bianco, Jim. "Artist Biography", The Agency Group. Retrieved on 09-03-2009.
  2. ↑ Scott, Bruce,:“Hotel Culture”, “Movmnt Magazine” Summer 2007. Retrieved 3 September 2009
  3. ↑ Miller, Jeff. “Hear Where They Came From“ “Los Angeles Times“ October 6, 2005. Retrieved on 3 September 2009
  4. ↑ Balfour, Amy C.“Live Music Guide to Los Angeles“ “Lonely Planet“ January 28, 2008. Retrieved on 3 September 2009
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Bordal, Christian. “A Musical Residency at Hollywood's Hotel Cafe” “NPR Music Interviews and Profiles” March 11, 2008. Retrieved on 3 September 2009
  6. ↑ Babcock, Jay “A Subtle Bullet “The LA Weekly“ September 4, 2004. Retrieved on 3 September 2009
  7. ↑ Whitmire, Margo. “Jim Bianco“ “Billboard“ November 29, 2005. Retrieved on 3 September 2009.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Reverte, Michele “LAist Interview: Jim Bianco“ “LAist.com“ May 23, 2008. Retrieved on 3 September 2009
  9. ↑ Gallo, Phil. “Hollywood’s Hotel Café Hit’s the Road with Jim Bianco in the Driver’s Seat” “Variety.com” March 5, 2008. Retrieved on 3 September 2009.
  10. ↑ Anonymous. LA Gets Unplugged for TLAMS Acoustic Live" Retrieved on April 23, 2010.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Harcourt, Nic "Jim Bianco on KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic with Nic Harcourt" "Morning Becomes Eclectic" Radio interview on September 2, 2004. Retrieved on 3 September 2009.
  12. ↑ The Getty Museum “Friday Nights at the Getty Drawing on L.A.: Songs for Taddeo Zuccaro” “The Getty” December 2007. Retrieved on 3 September 2009.
  13. ↑ Boucher, Geoff “A Scattered Life” “Los Angeles Times” December 13, 2007. Retrieved on 3 September 2009
  14. ↑ KCRW “Jim Bianco Belong Today’s Top Tune Feb. 22, 2008”“KCRW” Retrieved on 3 September 2009
  15. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f76Y3NzpDsE&feature=related,
  16. ↑ National Public Radio “Jim Bianco on Mountain Stage”“NPR” April 1, 2009. Retrieved on 3 September 2009
  17. ↑ Ventura County Film Society."Ventura County Film Society Benefit 2010" Retrieved on April 23, 2010.
  18. ↑ iCelebZ.com "World Premiere of the film "Cash"""iCelebZ.com" March 25, 2010. Photo by Judy Eddy. Retrieved on 03-27-10
  19. ↑ "Cover of VC Reporter"
  20. ↑ Warner, Butch."The Magic of Music. The Ventura County Reporter. May 6, 2010. Retrieved May 8, 2010
  21. ↑ Marchant, Sue "Jim Bianco on BBC Cambridgeshire with Sue Marchant" "BBC Cambridgeshire with Sue Marchant" interview on June 2, 2010. Retrieved on 06-03-2010.
  22. ↑ "You Release Jim Bianco's Next Album", Kickstarter. Retrieved on 09-18-2010.
  23. ↑ Schwarze, Shanna "Give a Musician or Cause a Boost" CNN.Com. Retrieved on December 2, 2010.
  24. ↑ Ragogna, Mike "HuffPost Exclusive: Jim Bianco's "Sinners," Plus a Conversation with The Crystals' LaLa Brooks and PBS Premieres Rock Pop and Doo Wop" HuffingtonPost.com. Retrieved on March 5, 2011.
  25. ↑ Los Angeles Reel Film Festival: "2010 Winners". Retrieved on March 10, 2011.
  26. ↑ Tucson Film and Music Festival: “2010 Winners". Retrieved on March 10, 2011.
  27. ↑ KCRW “Jim Bianco:Talented Today’s Top Tune April 4, 2011”“KCRW” Retrieved on April 6, 2011
  28. ↑ NPR Staff "You're Only 69 Questions Away From A New Song About You" "NPR" Retrieved on January 28, 2014

External links