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Without realizing it, he has been performing music in Americana style since his younger days in England - before the term Americana
came into being. As a great fan of Lonnie Donegan and skiffle, he soon became familiar with the music of Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly
and others. He was always fascinated by the London-Irish music he heard in his family and its connection to American folk music -
namely, Appalachian and old timey music, as well as the works of such musicians as Bob Dylan. He learned more when, through Ogron,
an unaccompanied English folksong group he helped form, he was introduced to the Carter Family, Doc Watson, the New Lost City
Ramblers and many other American performers.
After arriving in the US, he became part of Medicinal Purpose, an old timey and southern swing contradance band based in Harrisburg,
PA. Ryck Kaiser (fiddle), Carol Whitfield (clawhammer banjo, concertina) and Henry Koretzky (mandolin, hammered dulcimer) formed the
nucleus of the MPs, with Jamie playing guitar; and these musicians took him even further along the road.
Jamie has also worked extensively with Henry Koretzky (vocals, mandolin, guitar), who has helped Jamie explore even more musical
avenues. The two often appear as Shades of Green & Blue, a vocal and instrumental ensemble that explores connections between celtic
and American music, and as the contradance band, Unbowed.
"Sunday Serenade" (Hone/O'Brien) - Jamie (vocal, guitar), Henry Koretzky (harmony, mandolin)
live at 17th Street Market
a little jamming - KJ, Jamie and Henry
Jamie often plays coffeehouses and other listening venues where he features a varied repertoire including Americana, celtic and
Hawaiiana, including traditional, contemporary and original songs. Jamie - his singing, his guitar and ukulele playing, his humor -
all these come together for an enlightening, amusing and entertaining performance that draws on his upbringing and experiences over
many decades on two continents. Singer/songwriter at its best
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