The music world is full of guitar playing, young, male
singer/songwriters. But rarely does one get up
onstage with as simple a grace, and as unassuming a
charm, as James Adamo. From the first licks of his
jazzy pop/rock to his captivating voice, a mixture of
Jeff Buckley and Maroon 5's Adam Levine, you know
you're in for a relaxing, grooving, sensual set.
Those sets are happening with more frequency now in
New York City, where James plays venues such as
Rockwood Music Hall, the Triad, Arlene's Grocery, and
Sin-E, impressing hard-edged New York fans with his
nimble guitar work as much as his vocal honesty. Now
at work on his debut solo EP with producer David
Addario, James is toasting a new future as a
songwriter, singer, and guitarist.
Originally from Rochester, James started playing
guitar at 15 and continued even while he studied
Spanish at SUNY Potsdam. In 1997, he joined a
boisterous jam band that eventually came to be known
as Doctor Pocket, an incredibly popular band with
college students and in the upstate NY arena. Playing
guitar, singing, and acting as one of the main writers
in the band, James helped bring Doctor Pocket success
that included opening for the Derek Trucks Band, Jeff
Healy, J. Giles, and the Samples. Through heavy
touring, regional radio play, and tons of sales of
their records (With Great Speed and Turn it Around),
Doctor Pocket was honored with the SAMMY Award for
Best
Pop/Rock Band in Syracuse and also won various
Syracuse Battle of the Bands. By 2003, however,
Doctor Pocket disbanded and three of its members moved
to
New York City to pursue a recording contract not as a
jam band, but as a pop/rock band...this time,
with James taking on the lead vocal role.
Although these new recordings caught the ears of top
industry professionals, it was James' voice and
fast-developing songwriting skills that interested
them the most. In early 2006, James left this band to
record and play solo. He also currently plays guitar
for the smart and sassy Cassandra Kubinski and is
co-writing with some of NYC's best, including Lorraine
Ferro (Jessica Simpson, DOVE award winner), Janice
Fitzgerald, and Angus Clark (TransSiberian Orchestra
guitar hero).
"I'm excited to be making music on my
own terms now. I'm very happy," James says, adding
that he's particularly interested in film/TV
placements for his music. And as far as his new
audience goes? "I just want people to be able to come
out, sit, relax, enjoy a nice glass of wine, and
listen to some great music." Cheers to that.
