Jimmy Norman

Jimmy Norman's website now has links to CD Baby

There are links to some of Jimmy's music from CD Baby available right here on his website. By clicking on "Buy The Album" you can listen to samples,buy CD's or download MP3's.

Jimmy Norman Memorial Service

Memorial services were held for Jimmy Norman on Monday, January 23, 2012 at St. Peters Church in New York City.

Family, friends and fans came to pay tribute to Jimmy Norman with over one hundred in attendance.

The memorial service was lead in prayer by the Reverend Kaji Rosa Spellman.

Jimmy's wife Joann Scott, son James Scott, grand-daughter Janell Dash, close friends Frank Beacham and Sharon and Alissa of the Jazz Foundation of America spoke of their many memories and experiences they had with Jimmy.

Musical performances by Jonny Rosch, Georgia Brown, The Sean Harkness Trio, Wendy Oxenhorn, Davell Crawford, Ladall McLin and Babi Floyd provided entertainment that was reminiscent of Jimmy's love for the Blues.

Jimmy Norman Has Passed Away

Jimmy Norman, after a long illness, died on Nov. 8 in New York City. When he left the Coasters after 30 years of performing, Jimmy was in poor health for over a decade. However, during this period, he recorded Little Pieces in 2004 and The Way I See It earlier this year. Those two records, produced by Kerryn Tolhurst, were among Jimmy’s best work.

In addition to be a prolific performer, a great storyteller and a master musician, Jimmy was an old school songwriter from Nashville. He combined the best of soul and R&B, along with country and blues, and turned into a music of his own. He schooled a young Bob Marley, who at the time wanted to be an R&B singer, and was close friends with Jimi Hendrix.  He played with a who’s who or rock n’ roll.

Jimmy had substantial help over the past decade from the Jazz Foundation of America, who aided him with medical care and housing when he could no longer work. Jimmy’s last public appearance was for the Jazz Foundation at their Loft Party on Oct. 29, as seen in the picture below. His final public performance was singing Time is on My Side, a song he co-wrote but received no money for.

Rest in Peace, Jimmy Norman

Jimmy Norman Performs at the Jazz Foundation Loft Party in New York City

   

Jimmy Norman performed two songs, “Collector of Keys,” and “Time is On My Side” at the Jazz Foundation’s Loft Party in New York City on Oct. 29. Jimmy had been ill recently and it was really good to see him out and performing again.                                                                                He was backed by an all-star band, led by Jonny Rosch, and featuring Lou Reed, Jeff Golub and Andy Hess.                                                                                                                                             

   

Jimmy Norman’s New Recording — “The Way I See It” — Is Now Available!

Order Jimmy's new CD and digital downloads from CD Baby.

Also order from iTunes and Amazon. 

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Jimmy Norman co-wrote "Time is On My Side." Could this have something to do with his obsession for collecting clocks and watches?

A few of Jimmy's clocks and watches.

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Jimmy on the challenge of singing his own songs.

Jimmy on the song, "Jo Anne"

Jimmy on the song, "Collector of Keys"

Photos by Karen Sasha Smith from the CD Release Party held on March 1 at the P&G Bar in New York City.

Jimmy on his songs as stories.

 

Jimmy Norman Introduces "The Way I See It"

New Jimi Hendrix Anthology Features Jimmy Norman Single

I'm pleased to say that the latest Jimi Hendrix anthology, West Coast Seattle Boy, from Legacy Recordings, features a track I that recorded with the great guitarist in the mid 60s. It’s called That Little Old Groove Maker. 

West Coast Seattle Boy is a new four-CD box set that is a must for any serious Jimi Hendrix fan. Hendrix’s days on the “Chitlin’ Circuit” are represented here, featuring tracks from stints with the Isley Brothers, songwriter Don Covay (on his original recording of “Mercy Mercy”), and Little Richard, whom Hendrix hooked up with after a brief tenure playing the R&B clubs of Nashville. 

Hendrix’s signature licks and intros, while still in their formative stages, can be heard throughout these early tracks, minus the volume and effects that would come a couple of short years later. 

I hired Jimi to play on That Little Old Groove Maker during a session in New York City. Though never a big hit, it sold well. It’s ironic that the song has come back again on a Hendrix anthology.

That Little Old Groove Maker

 

Jimmy Norman's Video Shown at the Apollo Theatre

It was "A Great Night in Harlem," the annual benefit for The Jazz Foundation of America at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. The show raised $1.7 million to help musicians throughout the nation. Part of the show was Jimmy Norman's video, produced with Marc Roth, which was popular with the audience.  

Jimmy Norman Sings at New York City's Whole Foods

Jimmy Norman, backed by the Sean Harkness Trio, will be playing at the Whole Foods Market at 808 Columbus Avenue, at the corner of 97th Street, in New York City on April 30th and May 14 and 28. Times are 5 to 7 p.m.

Sponsored by the Jazz Foundation of America, Norman’s concerts celebrate Mikell’s Jazz Club, which was once on the site now occupied by Whole Foods. Run by Mike and Pat Mikell, from 1969 to 1991, it was a regular venue for New York's top studio and session musicians who would turn up for jam sessions with major soul, funk and jazz artists visiting the city.

Guitarist Marvin Horn substituted for Sean Harkness on April 16. 

 All photos by Frank Beacham

Jimmy Norman & the Sean Harkness Trio Close 3.5-Year Run at NYC's Roth’s Steak House

 

All good things must end. After 183 Saturday night performances at New York City’s Roth’s Steakhouse, Jimmy Norman, Sean Harkness and his group of musicians played their final show on a rainy, windy night on March 13, 2010.

The Roth’s gig started on Sept. 9, 2006 and was a good run. Marc Roth, who is on the board of directors of the Jazz Foundation, is changing the name and menu for his restaurant over the next few months.

Over the years, Jimmy and Sean’s Trio have played two sets of jazz, R&B and original songs each week. Sean plays guitar, and his group consists of Freddie Simpson on bass and Steve Loecher on drums. Many great guests have joined them. A big thank you to all and the staff of Roth’s Steakhouse.