About Jim:
Jim has performed with the most popular big band of all time - The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. Under the direction of Buddy Morrow who is recognized as one of the all–time great trombone players. Jim filled in for 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 learned 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. David Street also appeared in the movie “State Fair” and sang with Ann Margaret “Isn’t It Kind of Fun”.
Jim has performed across the US and opened for Comedian Tom Dreesen. Tom 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".
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Tommy Dorsey Orchestra "Lexington, Michigan"
Buddy Morrow and Jim Paravantes |
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Jim Paravantes
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Sinatra's hits make the Excalibur swing
On Saturday nights, watch out. His performances have been known to inspire people to
dance with such abandon that "I almost got knocked over a couple of times."
Paravantes revives the hits of the late Frank Sinatra at 8:30 p.m. every
Saturday night at Southfield's Excalibur restaurant. He categorizes audience reaction to
his music as favorable but restrained. That's due to the stage presence of Marilyn, his
percussionist and wife of 32 years. "I don't have too many wild female
groupies," he says.
Having grown up in Detroit during the Motown era, Paravantes, 50, took his time
becoming interested in the swing-jazz genre. Now, he says, "It's a passion." One of his favorite songs to perform is "Polka Dots and Moonbeams."
"Most of those songs are about someone who lost somebody or is looking for
love.
By Mary Beth Collver
Detroit Free Press
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Tommy
Dorsey sound comes to Monroe (Monroe News)
Jim
Paravantes thinks big-band music is "the best music that's
out there."
That's why he's happy to be the featured vocalist for Sunday's
show by the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra at the River Raisin Centre
for the Arts. "The standards they created back in the '30s and '40s keep
getting better. I'm a believer that that type of music has to
remain," he told The Evening News in a recent telephone
interview from his home in Canton.
It's the first time Mr. Paravantes has performed with the
legendary big band, owner of such hits as "Marie,"
"I'll Never Smile Again" and "Stardust." He
sings regularly in southeastern Michigan - mostly jazz.- "It's a passion for me," he said.
The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra has been called one of the best
all-around dance bands in big-band history.
Called the Sentimental Gentleman of Swing, Mr. Dorsey was
"a master at creating warm, sentimental, and always musical
moods - at superb dancing and listening tempos," according
to press information.
Among the band's vocalists were Frank Sinatra and Jo Stafford.
the end of World War II, big-band music was on the wane and many
bandleaders put down their batons, Mr. Dorsey included. However,
just two years later, he started a new group.
The band now is led by Buddy Morrow, a trombone player and
original member of the Tommy Dorsey Band. He also played with
Paul Whiteman, Artie Shaw and Jimmy Dorsey.
The band's repertoire includes original Dorsey classics along
with a range of popular music.
Barb Krolak |
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