Born: April 25, 1960 Primary Instrument: Guitar
Guitarist Jim Robitaille was born in 1960 in New Bedford, MA. His earliest musical influences were derived from the blues, rock, and jazz styles he grew up listening to. While immersing himself in jazz and classical guitar and composition in high school, Jim started to meet and play with other musicians who shared an interest in more modern improvisational styles. After high school Jim continued lessons in jazz guitar and improvisation with jazz guitarist Jon Damian at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and in more recent years has studied with the great Charlie Banacos.
Since 1979, Jim Robitaille has performed throughout new england and beyond both as a sideman and leader of his own groups. Through his many musical associations over the years he has developed a strong reputation as a unique player and an award winning composer
Some venues Jim has performed atinclude theBaird Auditorium in the Smithsonian Institute's Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. The Knitting Factory and Smoke in New York City.Ryles Jazz Club and Bob The Chefs in Boston, MA. The Limetree Inn in St. John U.S.V.I. The Center For The Arts in Natick, MA. Jazz Masters and the Hi Hatin Providence R.I., the 18th Annual UMass Dartmouth Jazz Festival and numerous performance grants funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council for the Arts since 1989.
Jim has performed and or recorded with many great regional and international artists including David Liebman, Bob Moses, John Lockwood, Jim Odgren, Greg Abate, Alain Maillet,Lello Molinari, Phil Grenadier, Matt Richard, Alon Yavnai, Dino Govoni,Chris Poudrier, Mike Pope, Henry Hey, Bronek Suchanek, Bob Nieske, Dave Zinno, Jeff Galindo, Rick Britto, Bruno Raberg, Hilary Noble, Christopher Bonnier Pitts, Marcelle Gauvin, Fernando Huergo,Ron Bosse, John Harrison, Jim Porcella, Royal Hartigan, Andy McWain and Bobby Greene and Coleus as well as many other artists and groups.
Awards include: The 9th Annual 2002 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Composers Competition sponsored by BMI, Jim's composition “Arthur C” was selected from a large field of international submissions by writing greats Charlie Haden, Horace Silver and Gerald Wilson.
2001 Great American Song Contest first place Instrumental Category for the composition “Miro”
2001 Great American Song Contest Outstanding Achievement in Songwriting Award for the composition “Lost and Found”
1996 Jazz Composers Alliance, Julius Hemphill Composition Awards “Honorable Mention” for the composition “Remembrance”
2002 USA Songwriting Competition “Finalist”
Numerous grants funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council for the Arts for performances with his groups since 1989.
Jim's newrecording is called “To Music” with saxophone great Dave liebman, pianist Matt Richard, bassist Dave Zinno and drummer Chris Poudrier. The CD features many of Jim's original compositions including three which have won international composition awards including the 9th Annual Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition sponsored by BMI.
Other Recordings:
Jim Robitaille Group “ To Music”
The Matt Richard /Jim Robitaille Duo “The Art of the Duo”
The Matt Richard Quartet ”Hawthorne Street Connection”
The Dancing Dogs “Fishing in the Desert” and “Cynanthrophy”
