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.
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    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
Jim on the River
Liffey in Dublin.

A Professional Biography
JIM HINTON