A   sense of intimacy is what strikes us first about Jim Porcella's singing. Regardless of audience size, Jim seems to be singing in a small setting with just a few friends.  He's singing to you-- no gimmicks, no tricks-- loving the lyric, sensitive to the melodic line, touched by both and touching his audience.  On up-tempo tunes he sings with uninhibited joy, while on the soulful ballad, he often unashamedly wears his heart on his sleeve. But his extraordinary ability to communicate is not based solely on emotion.

Jim approaches singing with the assurance of a well-trained musician, stemming from years of study and performing as a drummer with some of the best musicians in the field. Those dues-paying decades established in Jim the musical foundation that allows him the freedom to explore a personal relationship with the music.

Jim Porcella grew up in Medford, just outside Boston.  He began playing drums at 14, performing for high school events and practicing four hours a day, dreaming of someday becoming a studio musician. His early idols were Art Blakey and Buddy Rich.

After high school, Jim began playing with a Jackie-and-Roy-type combo and was drawn into singing vocal lines in addition to his drumwork.  Discovering a natural gift for singing, he enjoyed the challenges of vocal-group performance and acquired the critical disciplines-- phrasing, intonation, breath control- necessary for a developing singer.  After a decade of continuous work, the group broke up and Jim spent seven years as lead singer for a Top 40s group, further honing his vocal skills. He returned to working mostly with jazz musicians in general business as a drummer-vocalist or vocalist-drurnmer.  In 1988, encouraged by other musicians and singers, Jim made the decision to follow a career as a jazz singer. Since then he has appeared at the leading jazz clubs in the area.

Although you may hear traces of other singers in Jim's performance, there is no mistaking this uniquely individual vocalist.  In person, as in his recordings, you will be impressed by his warm, rich voice, his engaging style and sensitivity, his love of singing, and that humorous twinkle in his soul.

FAVORITE LINKS FOR YOU TO VISIT

www.primasmith.com
www.3swingintenors.com

Photo by Susan Wilson www.susanwilsonphoto.com