Musicastrada

My name is James Thompson. I love music; I think everybody loves music and I would like to share with you some of my thoughts. I was born in Cleveland (Ohio), but at the age of two my family moved to Los Angeles.
I grew up in some interesting times; being a teenager in the 1960’s in California. I was listening to everything and anything; soul, R & B, rock, jazz, pop and blues. Back then they were playing all the music on AM radio. All styles, genres and artists were played on one station. I was profoundly influenced by this music, and also the turbulent times in the USA of the 60’s. And the times were changing fast. I started playing the alto sax in the school band in 1966 at the age of 15, after 3 years of playing the clarinet. As for singing, I started “singing” when I was 2 years old. Professionally, I became a lead singer around 1984. Before that time I was mainly a background vocalist. In 1973, I left the university and went on the road; with a group of musicians that were school buddies. We were young and crazy, and we traveled a lot; mainly playing the west coast and Canada, but also in Japan, where I played with the Platters, the Olympics (another 50’s group) and Edwin Starr “WAR, WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR?”. In 1978 me and a friend named Dave Smith formed the fusion group “Squash”. We played jazz and underground venues in southern and central California.
In 1980 and 1981 I recorded 2 records with Andy J. Forest, a longtime friend. I would eventually come to Italy in 1983, on tour with Andy’s band. Four years would pass before I would return to the States. In the years I have lived in Italy, I’ve had the opportunity to play and record with some great artists and musicians, Zucchero, Paolo Conte, Stadio, Spagna, Jestofunk, Mingardi, Timoria and Tommy Vee, to name a few. I’ve also participated in some great music Festivals and venues like Montreaux Jazz Festival, Rock am Ring in Germany, The House of Blues in L.A., The Beacon Theater in New York City, The Kremlin, Royal Albert Hall, Pavarotti and Friends, and many others. I’ve recently completed a CD, which is a reflection of my current musical state of mind. All the compositions being written by yours truly. The songs have a varied feel: soul, jazz, pop, funk and rock, all thrown into JT’s pot.
So I hope you have time to check it out. Sit back and enjoy. Let’s keep in touch.
“MUSIC POWER!”. (James Thompson)

James Thompson: Sax, Flute, Vocals, harp, Percussion
Vince Vallicelli: drums, vocals, Frattoir
Pippo Guarnera: Organo Hammond C3

www.jamesthompson.it
www.myspace.com/vincevallicelli

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