About Me
Jazz guitarist James " Tootie " Hogan is an artist whose skill as a musician has influenced millions of individuals throughtout the world.Hit debut album, " Dreamin at Midday " won him new fans across the country with his uniquely personal,yet improvisational and contemporary smooth jazz.Born in New Haven, Connecticut,Tootie and his family soon left the north, migrating south to Mount Holly, North Carolina. At a tender age, his musical talent was to be nurtured in the church, through the influence and guidance of his father. Under such direction, Tootie began to play gospel music with his father, mastering the lead guitar. Tootie plays bass guitar and piano as well. Tootie's talent soon placed him in the spotlight as lead guitarist, a position that would prove to be the solid musical foundation of his career. During the 1970's and early 1980's, Tootie performed and traveled extensively with various national artists. One of the first groups he performed with professionally was The Drifters. As his professional career quickly evolved, Tootie became a member of many notable groups such as The Tams; Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose; The Chariman of the Board, featuring General Johnson; Junior Walker and the All Stars; Hank Crawford; Eddie Floyd; and Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs. Tootie toured with Roberta Flack worldwide in Japan, the Philippines, Australia, Spain, England, Canada and the Bahamas. While working with Roberta, he also appeared on The Johnny Carson Tonight Show; opened for jazz trumpet player Miles Davis in Madison Square Garden in New York City, and shared the stage with The Spinners, Lou Rawls, Little Richard,Clarence Carter, The Platters, Major Lance, The Coasters, Lynn White, Joe Tex,Mary Wells, Martha and the Vandellas, Betty Wright, the Barkay, just to name a few. Tootie later became the music director and lead guitarist for "A Good Man Is Hard To Find", a national gospel play. Since then he has released his first album "Dreamin at Midday" on DePriest Records, which he has received excellent reviews and exposure on one of the nationally known jazz radio stations throught the USA. On February 15,1997, he opened up for Reverend Jesse Jackson, celebrating the 37th Anniversary of the "sit-in movement" in Greensbro, North Carolina. His latest accomplishment has been the release of his second album "Last Flight Out", which he also written and arranged. He has opened up for national recording artists such as Fatburger on June 20,1998, Norman Conners, Angela Bofills and Marion Meadow on November 23, 1998. His second album is a treat to all that know and love Tootie, you can't help but admire his style and originality on his instrumental, "The Rebirth of Gilligan's Island". Yes, it is extraordinary at the begginning of the tune; only a musician could identify the tune. Tootie's third and latest CD "Final Destination" is also a treat to all that know him.
