Swing with Jim Paravantes

February 8, 7:31 AMSwing and Big Band ExaminerRick Busciglio

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MEET AND SWING WITH JIM PARAVANTES

JIM PARAVANTES

We've been saluting some of the past singers of the Great American Songbook, such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Rosemary Clooney, Billie Holiday, etc. Now it is time to recognize some of the singers of today who are "keeping the flame alive."

It is far from easy to maintain a "singer of standards' career today. The television variety and talk shows that featured vocalists have just about disappeared. The late night "nasties," Leno and Letterman, provide a few minutes at the end of their hour programs to music acts....99 percent are rock groups.

Tony Bennett is about the only "smooth singer  of standards" who receives any exposure. The radio stations that featured the "oldies" music of the 30's and 40's are mostly gone. Oh, Martin Block where are you? Plus, and well documented, the recording business is in trouble. Try to find a record store in your town. Tower Records is gone with the wind..

But, let's meet a Sinatra style singer, Jim Paravantes. Jim has performed with one of the most popular big bands of all time - The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, under the direction of Buddy Morrow. Buddy is recognized as one of the all–time great trombone players. Jim has backed up their regular vocalist Rob Zappulla. Jim possesses a smooth singing style that is perfect for swing and ballads.....and when it's time to accelerate the tempo, he's totally able and adept - an excellent improviser performing a repertoire of the Great American Songbook. His style combines influences from his four favorite mentors, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé and Tony Bennett and David Street. Jim commented “I lifted something from each one of them”. Jim comes from a musical family. Jim’s uncle, David Street was a big band vocalist and performed with Buddy Morrow and the Bob Crosby Orchestra.  Jim has performed across the US and opened for Comedian Tom Dreesen.  Dreesen opened for Frank Sinatra and traveled with him for over 14 years. Tom’s comment about Jim was:"There are just a few vocalists today that can present this music as it was intended, and Jim Paravantes is one of them".

Click below to hear Jim Paravantes sing: