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"He is one of the best damn drummers I've ever worked with. He knows how to fit in a situation, add to it and never take from it. One of my favorites, and I don't have many." -- Doug MacLeod
"Jimi is one of the top drummer's in the world. He's worth twice what I pay him and it's an honor to work with him!" -Kim Wilson of The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Jimi's legendary, outrageous, dare-devil behavior and stunts range from: trying to play a drum solo three hundred feet underwater while holding his breath to.... jumping off his drum throne in the middle of a performance, attempting to fly around the room with a red cape, goggles and nothing else on, cannot detract from the fact that he is a...
Nine-time W.C. Handy nominee for blues drummer of the year...
Five time winner of the Northwest Muddy Award for blues drummer of the year, and...
Is one of the most recorded and respected blues drummers in the world.
While still in high school Jimi started his professional career at the tender age of 17 with well-known Bay Area blues men, Paul Durkett and Byrd Hale. At 19 he joined Mark Hummel and the Blues Survivors, starting what would be the beginning of a perpetual life on the road. On his 21st birthday he auditioned for and won the gig of his dreams with Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, the very same band that had inspired him to become a professional drummer. He is currently the backbeat and backbone of The Fabulous Thunderbirds. His discography boasts impressive credits to over 60 CD's and countless live performances with other blues greats such as:
Earl King, Joe Houston, Snooks Eaglin, Jimmy Rogers, Katie Webster, Mickey Champion, Floyd Dixon, Little Charlie, Johnny Dyer, Little Willie Littlefield, Duke Robillard, Robert Ward, Rick Holmstrom, James Cotton, Joe Hughes, Rick Estrin, Charlie Musselwhite, Roy Rogers, Norton Buffalo, Brownie McGhee, Jerry Portnoy, Carey Bell, Larry "Arkansas" Davis, Bill Campbell, John "Juke" Logan, Brenda Burns, Lowell Fulson, Albert Collins, Guitar Gable, Louis & Dave Myers, Luther Tucker, Bonnie Bramlet, Clarence Fountain & The Five Blind Boys of Alabama, William Clarke, Junior Watson, Bob Jones & Lee Oscar
Born in San Francisco on August 13, 1965, some would say that music is in his blood. His father, Ken Bott, was his earliest musical influence. He would sing and play guitar every night after work entertaining Jimi, his brother Jere, their mom and two dogs (the audience was nearly spellbound each evening). Ken bought Jimi his very first drum and paid for his lessons. His mother Lee, though often rattled by his constant practicing, was always encouraging and supportive. Later, he and his brother Jere would record and produce their father's very late debut CD entitled The Blues From Bottsville. At the age of 72, Ken was finally able to realize his life-long dream to write and record an album. The Blues From Bottsville features Jim Wallace, one of Portland's most seasoned blues musicians, on harmonica as well as Marc Ford, famous guitarist for the Black Crowes & Ben Harper. Only released as a limited pressing, the CD was very well received on the west coast and in blues magazines, such as Blues Revue. As luck would have it, you can now purchase The Blues From Bottsville here at cdbaby.
Jimi was privileged to be schooled by two of the best drum instructors in the country. From 1980 to 1983 he studied with the Bay Area great, Forrest Elledge. Later, while living in Los Angeles, he was one of the infamous Murray Spivack's last (and according to Murray, one of his best) students ever, an incredible compliment considering Murray's list of students includes world-famous drummers such as Joe Morello (Dave Brubeck), David Garibaldi (Tower of Power), Louis Bellson and Chuck Silverman. A hand technician genius, Murray befriended Jimi and passed on his vast knowledge of stick control, musicality, and sense of rhythm. Murray's influence flows through every performance of Jimi's, but until now, there has never been such an example as the track Tribute To Gene, Buddy & Louie, found here on Jimi's debut CD, Jimi Bott Live Volume I Cheap Thrills. As the title suggests, Jimi touches on, and improvises over, established themes of each of these great drummers while adding his own mark and flair.
Although Jimi's first love is blues, as a drummer he excels in many other genres. Check out his now-defunct band, Mad Hattie (Soul Fishin'), and hear him play different styles that bridge jazz, country, punk and electric bluegrass (also for sale here at cdbaby). Odd time signatures, washboards, tambourines, garbage cans (yes, garbage cans!), brushes and mallets prevail throughout. But his talents don't stop there! Jimi is also one hell of a rock drummer and he has played with several mainstream players including rock guitar hero, Marc Ford (The Black Crowes & Ben Harper). While on hiatus from The Fabulous Thunderbirds in 1998 to 2000, Marc and Jimi, along with Luther Russell and Fred Trujillo, formed the crushing rock band Federale. A blend of The Band meets Neil Young, Federale never made a commercially released CD. They became a cult internet sensation and toured the country with other underground greats Government Mule and The Mother Hips. Only a handful of demos and live recordings remain. Jimi is currently working on gathering these together as another possible archival project.
A current resident of Portland, OR, when he is not on tour with the T-Birds Jimi is a regular on the music scene there. He can be seen playing with many of the city's great musicians. Among his favorites are: Jim Wallace, Marco Savo, Curtis Salgado, and Lloyd Jones.
For more information about Jimi, the many CD's he appears on, pictures, or to contact him, please visit www.jimibott.com.
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