Jim Hinton has been performing folk music professionally for over 40 years. Jim’ s knowledge as a folklorist and his ability as a storyteller add depth and relevance to his performance. His gently ironic sense of humor connects with listeners of all ages. He sings and accompanies himself on guitar, mandocello, harmonica, and bodhran (the Irish drum). He specializes in the traditional songs of Ireland performing at pubs, festivals, schools, churches, concert halls and coffeehouses throughout the western states. He also teaches history and culture of Irish Folk Song and Sixties Folk and Folk Rock through local university extension classes and adult enrichment programs. A prolific songwriter and purveyor of contemporary folk, Jim has a vast repertoire that includes songs spanning the 1600s through the 1960s from Ireland, Britain, and America. A Professional History… Jim Hinton began performing at coffee houses and schools as a teenager in the 1960s. By the mid-1970s, he was a member of The Everyman Gypsy Band performing in folkclubs and pubs in the San Francisco Bay area. They shared venues with headliners Dave Bromberg, Robin Williamson, Linda Ronstadt, and Leo Kottke. Back in San Diego in the late 1970s, he was featured at O’Hungry’s, The Blarney Stone, and The Patriot Game. Jim founded The Paradise Street Band in 1982 and was featured for five years on Saturday nights at Drowsy Maggie’s. The group played numerous concerts at the North County folk club, The Old Time Café and toured extensively with The Steve Power’s Craft Festival throughout California, Nevada, and Arizona. Jim also played frequently as a soloist at the various San Diego Blarney Stone pubs. A San Diego Tradition… For 16 consecutive years, first, with The Paradise Street Band and then, with his new group The Strange Woods, Jim was featured on Friday nights at The Camelot Inn in San Marcos CA until he retired from playing pubs in 2002. During these years he also performed at San Diego’s Old Sod and McP’s Irish Pub. Since 2003, Jim has performed almost exclusively as a soloist at coffee houses, private house parties, numerous St. Patrick’s Days, large civic events, including concert series in La Mesa, San Diego, San Marcos, and in Vista, CA. Jim opened with his noted original song, Hippies, for a special appearance of Joan Baez and Wavy Gravy in Oakland for the Western Museums Association annual meeting, 2007. He had a special guest appearance at The Queen Pub in Windsor in 2008. Jim developed Across the Pond, an ongoing series with British singer-songwriter Dave Humphries highlighting the sixties in Britain and America. Most recently, Jim has expanded his expertise as a storyteller and songwriter through his very popular extension and adult enrichment classes for SDSU, Cal State San Marcos and the City of La Mesa. His classes include: Irish Folk Music: Culture and History through Story Songs. The Irish Folk Tradition: Songs and Stories, Laughter and Tears; Awakened Hearts Expanded Minds: Folk and Folk Rock of the Sixties. They have been featured in the San Diego Troubadour Magazine and the Southern California Irish Herald. Jim holds a B.A. in Psychology, minoring in Religious Studies from SDSU and is a member of the honor society Golden Key. Over the years, Jim’s music has been a part of folk gatherings throughout San Diego County, the Southwest, and Britain. A Record of Community Service… From 1988 into 1995 Jim Hinton was the Director of The Contemporary Choir at Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Church. He composed many songs for the choir’s Sunday services and originated and organized the Celebration of Compassion benefit concerts for the AIDS Chaplaincy Fund. He follows the Social Gospel tradition in his compassionate songwriting and continues to perform for local churches and charitable organizations. Jim often donates his talents to several benefits including Presbyterian Crisis House, Self-Realization Fellowship of San Diego, The Western Museum's Association, San Diego Museum of Man's Irish Evening at Tower After Hours, and the City of La Mesa’s Sundays at Six concerts in the park series. Jim has performed at numerous churches in San Diego County including Unity Way Church, Palomar Unitarian, and Universalist Churches in Vista and Santee. Jim’s Recordings… Jim Hinton plays, records, masters and produces his own recordings at his home studio. He has produced and performed on numerous recordings dating back to 1977. Currently available are Jim’s solo albums, “Love Like An Ocean” and “Things I’ ve Always Known,” and "The Wild Rover." Available by The Strange Woods are “Transparency” and “A Light on the Path”. All of these CDs feature songs written and arranged by Jim. His compositions are recorded and performed by other musicians including the Celtic trio, Golden Bough, and Chris Vitas and Keltik Kharma. Jim has been commissioned as a songwriter for special private and public events. --------------------------------------------------------- Available for bookings-- from coffee houses & intimate house concerts to larger concert venues such as parks and auditoriums for civic, church, and private functions. Contact Information: Jim Hinton 619-415-6909 |
A Professional Biography JIM HINTON |