| Jamie Notarthomas is a veteran of the independent music scene, and has dazzled audiences for more than
20 years with his inspired performances and ability to blend folk music with nearly any other style. Says Dan Aloi of the Elmira Star Gazette, "He goes from jazzy blues to funky rock to Celtic swing & back again, meeting the demands of those vocal styles while keeping his own identity intact. As a songwriter, Jamie has honed his skill to create a potent and eloquent tool for expression: "Critics compare the style to Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie and Neil Young. Some songs are hilarious; others carry messages of preservation, compassion, tolerance and beauty of nature."
Hailing from the Syracuse, New York area, Jamie continues his rigorous touring schedule
of an average 200 shows a year. His albums
continually have been met with favorable reviews from critics and fans alike and
showcases his maturing songwriting style.
Jamie's songs can touch eloquently on aspects of human nature, love, ecology, and his own philosophies on life and living.
Jamie's CDs are all mostly acoustic based, yet supported by the progressive bands that he
has toured with over the years. The
exception is Jamies third CD, Climbing Out of the 20th Century,
which is a pure acoustic folk album with a
focus on lyrical content. Now he
blends the best of his qualities into what
may be his most powerful moving work
yet. The long anticipated fourth CD The
Crow Convention.
Over the years, Jamie has been a featured performer at many of the regions premiere festivals, such as the Blue Heron Festival, Grass Roots, Bethlehem Music Fest, Lilac Fest, Hookaville, and the Harvest Moon Jamboree. He has also written and recorded with a number of notable musicians such as Trey Anastasio, John Popper, 10,000 Maniacs and David Bearwald of Sheryl Crow's Tuesday Night Club. Jamie has opened for many greats including Bob Dylan, The Replacements, Melissa Ethridge, David Burne, Rosanne Cash,
Tori Amos and performed on stage with the likes of Alan Tousant, Rick Danko, Keller Williams, and Hot
Tuna and Patti Smith..
When
performing solo Jamie seemingly knows no limits to his breadth of style and material, often astounding his enthusiastic fans by pounding out three to four hour marathon sets. His confidence and ease on stage results from the thousands of shows he's played over the years. With apparent ease, Jamie can connect to a wide variety of audiences with a warmth and intimacy that transcends generations, effortlessly moving an audience through moods and dynamics with his impressive repertoire of both originals and cover tunes. Once a year Jamie performs a Bob Dylan Birthday Tribute, as he is fluent in
over 120 of Dylans great songs. On special occasions he can offer a similar study for a dozen more mentors whom are known for their unwavering, honest, and timeless vision.
Artists like Van Morrison,Springsteen, JT,
The Beatles, or Elvis Costello. All of this is delivered with a wildly versatile voice capable of a three octave range and single guitar and harmonica that people often mistake for a whole band.
However, he does often travel with a band
and that just puts it into another
world. Over the years Jamie
Notarthomas has performed with many
variations of musicians up to 12 piece
bands. Most recently performing as a duo or
trio. With Tom Witkowski on Trumbone,
Trumpet, and Piano, along with any one of 6
drummers most notabley the legendary Steve
Mitchell. Steve's resume includes
touring with Van Morrison,and Phil lesh as
well as performing with Mose Allison and
receiving a Grammy Award for best studio
musician of 1976 and the list goes on.
Jamie's ability to convey his perceptive views and keen eye for observation is exemplified in his songs, which are able to address a wide variety of subjects effectively. His highly provocative lyrics have been used for independent documentaries on subjects varying from gun control, the environment, and the homeless. His music is used as the theme song for the Buffalo TV show, Human Touch, and in a National Geographic documentary.
The bonus track on his latest CD is The
Endlless Waltz which was written
for the haunting movie
entitled
My Wife and My Dead Wife. In addition, Jamie has written and recorded childrens songs for the Boston based company called KidsTerrain.com.
With new material constantly in the works, Jamie
is touring in support of his most recent album,
The Crow convention. Be sure to catch this lyrical magician and veteran troubadour on tour near you soon!
|