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Tommy James

Tommy James, a leading pianist, composer, arranger and music director, majored in composition at the Manhattan School of Music. Over the years has worked with an eclectic group of artists in many musical genres. Among the outstanding artists and bands with whom he has performed and /or recorded are The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Lionel Hampton, Joe Williams, Maureen McGovern, Cleo Laine/John Dankworth,Nell Carter, Marlena Shaw, Roy Ayers, The Stylistics, Melba Moore, George McCrae, Grand Master Flash, Manu Dibango, Billy Vera, The Spinners, and the Temptations. He has served as music director with the international tour of the Tony-award winning musical “Bring in ‘da Noise” starring Savion Glover. He has also been musical director for Dawnn Lewis, Doc Powell, Bobbi Humphrey, and others. Mr. James’ arrangements (some published by Warner Bros.) have been performed by the Ellington Orchestra, New York Pops, LA Philharmonic, Buffalo Philharmonic, Atlanta Symphony, Brooklyn Philharmonic, New York’s The Supper Club, and during the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon.

Noel Okimoto: Ho'ihi

by Jack Bowers
March 13, 2025

Honolulu-born Noel Okimoto has been playing drums professionally since he was eleven years old. He has learned over the years to supervise the drum kit with equanimity and deference, a standard that Okimoto's octet endorses when approaching the music on his second album as a leader, Ho'ihi (ho-ee-hee), a Hawaiian phrase that translates roughly into “treat with reverence and respect." While Okimoto is a proud son of the Islands, those who are searching for Hawaiian-inspired themes will ...

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Recording

Tommy James with and Without the Shondells Reissued on Collectors' Choice

Source: conqueroo
February 19, 2010

Tommy James & the Shondells' I Think We're Alone Now, Gettin' Together and Travelin' join James' own My Head, My Bed & My Red Guitar in deluxe, fully annotated single CD reissues

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Goldmine magazine called Tommy James “the most productive rock 'n' roll singles artist of his era" in its review of the critically hailed 40 Years: The Complete Singles Collection (1966-2006) 2-CD set, released in 2008 by Collectors' Choice Music. Mojo added, “James should be ...
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Recording

Tommy James & the Shondells' "40 Years" 2-CD Set Presents Four Decades of Hits and Rarities

Source: conqueroo
October 23, 2008

From “Hanky Panky” and “I Think We’re Alone Now” to “Mirage” and “Mony Mony” to “Crimson and Clover” and “Draggin’ the Line”— all with original single mixes — the volume unfolds like a greatest hits of the ‘60s and ‘70s, and traces James’ later solo career. Includes extensive liner notes and photos.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – If you were a rock ’n’ roll fan in the ‘60s and early ‘70s, you well remember Tommy James & the Shondells having hit ...
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