Remember the days when a great song was simply a great song – no matter the genre? Jimmy Zee’s new solo release, defies simple categorization yet can easily be classified under the banner of “great songwriting”.
The sound is funky and soulful, yet it maintains both smooth jazz and new blues undertones while featuring solos reminiscent of great classic rock. The vocals are smoky, thoughtful, and full of memorable melodies.
Jimmy Zee’s Canadian prairie roots can be heard through songs such as Parade Day, yet the early responses to tracks posted on important international websites such as mySpace and CD Baby.com are consistent with rave reviews:
“Hypnotic Funk with a solid beat…”
“Seductive, contagious guitar sweetens these tracks ...”
“Well-crafted songs feature a mesmerizing vocal that is nothing short of exceptional…. Reminds me of Louis Armstrong picking some cool Mexican tunes and channeling it through Tom Waits” …
“Zee has an unusual delivery reminiscent of solo Robbie Robertson while his songwriting is first rate. There's a moody, breezy feel on "Santa Fe" and "Sold My Soul" has a serious dance groove. Given half a chance this could be very big.”…..Vancouver Province
Music industry insiders know Jimmy Zee through his writing and production credits, having placed songs with John Michael Montgomery, Aaron Tippin, Diamond Rio and Neal McCoy to name a few.
The new CD’s feature track, Santa Fe, has garnered early international attention, with adds to radio playlists in the US, Europe and Canada.
Don’t miss Jimmy Zee and his hot-ass band when they play live.
Jimmy Zee guitar and voice with a group of musicians including Camille Henderson, Sarah McLachlan's background singer, Camille was also a feature artist in Delerium, Check her out on Track 3...Santa Fe... incredible....
Charlie Hase (Lisa Brokop/Terry Clark) and his haunting slide lines. Charlie does a slide solo in Sold my Soul, Track 8 that is so hot it will knock you out.
Miles Hill Bass, Phil Robertson Drums, Miles and Phil played in the Band Idle Eyes and now they are the most on call players in the West Coast. Check out the Drum work on Track 4...For Your Love.... Real Drums Real Good No programming here. Check out the Bass on...Never Know love again and Love Grows Stronger, Miles is a guy who has mastered the 5 string Bass. They totally funked out on track 8.... Sold My Soul..
Gerard O'Leary Guitar (Professor Of Guitar... University of Victoria) This guy is amazing he knows where to put the right notes. Check out the guitar in Track 3, Santa Fe...
You can't hear it you'll have to buy it but the solo at the end of Track 10 with a classical guitar is one of the best you'll of ever heard. Track 1, In Your Place has a great acoustic guitar solo, he made my larivee flat top sing. All about it....Track 5 has a Daniel Lanois style solo in it that makes the track really work.
John Roles added a few guitar licks he was the Guitar player in the world famous band Chilliwack.
Brennan Saul does the Percussion work.
Brennan plays live with me and he is a superb time keeper.
Jesse Zubot Violin (Zubot and Dawson), Jesse is like the Jimi Hendrix of Violin but he is incredibly melodic as well see track 6 Funny Thing Check out the Zubot and Dawson music it is fabulous, check him out on Track 10 as well the work is stellar.
World Famous Terry Townson Trumpet, This guy has played with the best from Ray Charles to Shelby Lynne check him out at www.terrytownson.com, Steve Hilliam played the Sax, Terry and Steve are the Colin James Horn Section. They really put it together on track 2...Show Me.
Terry plays a muted trumpet in track 4... For Your Love... that is simply fantastic.
Darryl Havers is the keyboard player, Darryl comes from Manitoba like myself and has brought his talents to Vancouver where he plays with one of this towns biggest bands Brickhouse. He has played with Long John Baldry, Ferron, Raffi and everyone else. His lines in For your love track 4 are reminiscent of the early jazz greats.
Tanya Hancheroff (She has a writing deal with BMG) Tanya used to be in the Roxy Band that rocked Vancouver every weekend, Nadine States vocals (Nadine is one of Vancouvers most on call Back up Vocalist) and last but not least Mark Henning who engineered the CD and added the little extras to make it all fit together. Mark's claim to fame was that of keyboardist of the Rock Band Pure. Mark played most of the shakers, claves etc.
I wanted the best of the best on my CD and I got them. This CD was a work of love and we spent about 2 years on it, I am very proud of it and I know anyone that buys it will enjoy it.
The CD is not classic blues but everyone says that my vocal stylings are bluesy so that is why I put it here. If you have any other suggestions where it should go drop me a line.
Just got reviewed in the Vancouver Province Newspaper by John P. McLaughlin.
"Zee has an unusual delivery reminiscent of solo Robbie Robertson while his songwriting is first rate. There's a moody, breezy feel on "Santa Fe" and "Sold My Soul" has a serious dance groove. Given half a chance this could be very big."
We have sold out our first run already!!!
Working on new CD, Parade Day the first cut charted in top 3 on CKDM July 16-24.
My live band consists of Shawn Hall on Bass and Harmonica, Tony Brinks and Gerard O'Leary on Guitar and Brennan Saul on Drums also featuring Christine Best on Back ups. Our original bass player Brayden Wise is now creating waves in Ottawa. Mark Henning is my right hand man, he has helped in the preproduction of the CD and the enginneering and mixing of the CD.
Biography
Jimmy Zee was the leader of Gemini nominated 20/20, 20/20 was nominated for best live performance against KD Lang and Celine Dion. John Punter produced the first CD for 20/20. John Punter produced the Hair of the Dog Album by Nazareth, Japan, Roxy Music etc etc etc just google John Punter. 20/20 had a single on Q94 "need you now" that was in high rotation. Thier video "Broke My Heart" was played daily on CBC's Video Hits.
20/20 was a winner in The Band Wars Competition. Members of the band included Paul James, Gerry Atwell, Aggie Richichi, Vern Marshall, Sheila Vicarious, Cecile Brown and Bailey Katz yes Sam Katz's wife. Jimmy Zee with a recent writing deal has had songs on hold with John Micheal Montgomery, Aaron Tippin, Diamond Rio and Neil McCoy. Jimmy Zee has songs in several movie soundtracks.
Jimmy Zee has recorded and worked with some of Canada's Top Musicians including Spider Sinnaeve of Loverboy, Daryl Gutheil of Streetheart, Randy Heibert of the Bellamy Bros, Greg Black, Steve Bell, and Gilles Fournier.
Discography
Jimmy Zee self titled
single "santa fe" playing on CBC and several stations in Canada
20/20 Perfect Vision
single "need you now" Charted in Canada was Number 1 on Q94.
single "only a fool" charted in Canada played throughout the States also was in the movie Double Exposure starring Jennifer Tilly.
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