Jim Vick - Guitarist, Singer Songwriter & Producer

Jim Vick grew up and began his music career in upstate New York, relocating in the early 80’s to Madison, Wisconsin. He moved to Seattle in '92, touring and performing in the Pacific NW for 13 years until heading to Costa Rica in early 2006. Originating his performance career in the Northeast, Jim has performed his original material around the U.S. as a solo artist and bandleader, opening concerts for Joan Armatrading, Booker T and the MGs, and Timbuk 3. His first album, In the Garden, released in 1982, already displayed the world music influences that have continued to slip into his music over the years, from the Afropop and Brazillian rhythms of his 2004 CD Surfing the Web of Life,  to the reggae, calypso, and Latin jazz sounds found on the all instrumental Punta Rasta, recorded at his home studio in Costa Rica and released in June, 2011. Surfing enjoyed critical acclaim and remarkable downloading interest for a first-time web release. Independent critic Kenny Hart wrote in Indie-Music.com's review, "Without question, Surfing the Web of Life earns the distinction of ‘Ear Candy’. Other Costa Rica based composing and recording projects include providing the score for Insider's Limon, an audio travel guide to the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica released in 2009 and the soundtracks for a forthcoming independent film and the Lifetime Network and American Public Television syndicated show Taste the Islands.  

During his years in the Midwest, Jim also played lead guitar with funk/R&B artists Virginia Rose and Clyde Stubblefield (yes, the drummer who backed both James Brown and Otis Redding,) African pop group Shekere, Midwest jazz vocalist Lynnette and drummer Michael Weiss (when Weiss wasn't playing with Richard Davis, Stanley Jordan, or the band later known as Timbuk 3,) pop rock group Somomojo, and contemporary folk artists Stuart Stotts and Laurie Ellen Neustadt. 

After moving to Seattle, Jim collaborated frequently with performing songwriter Brad Warren and hosted the legendary Open Mic Night at Madison's Cafe & Music House, a mid-90's weekly gathering place for both established and aspiring NW singer-songwriters. Jim and his wife Eva later produced the Seattle Thunder Music acoustic concert series in the Fremont neighborhood, a monthly fundraiser that featured performances by some of the finest folk and jazz artists on both coasts. A longtime advocate for peace and justice, Jim is known for social and political commentary in his songwriting. His music and politics ventures have also included producing and hosting the main stage concerts at the Seattle Rolling Thunder Democracy Festival and the Art of Resistance Conference. Jim is currently at work on more new recording projects that include a new solo acoustic album, as well as the album presentation of Bhakti Blue:The Rumi Songs, a collection of his musical interpretations of the Sufi poet Jalāl ad-Dīn Rumi.

 

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Jim's Latest Album

Jim Vick: Punta Rasta

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