Jimi Bertucci

LOS ANGELES CA JIMI BERTUCCI is best known as the founding member and principal singer-songwriter for the ‘70s hit-making band ABRAHAM'S CHILDREN. Born Vincenzo Donato Bertucci in Serra San Bruno, Calabria Italy, he immigrated to Toronto, Canada at the young age of six. Jimi lived in a large household of relatives in Toronto's "little Italy”, including his Uncle Sam who could play a variety of instruments including the accordion and mandolin. Over time, Uncle Sam's musical influence over the young Vincenzo would become profound. After being the lucky winner of tickets from "Sam the Record Man", Jimi went to see the Beatles perform Live at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto at the impressionable age of 13. It was following that monumental experience that he became inspired to envision his life as a musician. The surprise gift of a Hofner Beatle bass by his parents sealed his fate. He soon met another local musician Ron Bartley and Glenn Olive together they would form their first group called "The London Tones." They later added Bob McPherson and Brian Cotterill to the group and, following a number of name changes including "Just Us", the hit-making band "Abraham's Children" was born. As the band’s principal songwriter, Jimi penned their first national hit song called "Goodbye Farewell" while signed to Gas Records. Other hits followed including Gypsy, Thank You and Goddess Of Nature. The band toured heavily and extensively to large enthusiastic crowds. Wanting to explore other avenues with his music Jimi embarked in a different direction in 1976 leaving The Children behind. Quick to recognize his talent, United Artists Records wasted no time in signing Jimi. Finally, having the creative freedom he had craved, he produced a pop-influenced band called "Space Patrol" and later "Angel", a band more on the R&B side. While on the A&M label in the 80’s, Jimi formed the band "The Police" which gained an enthusiastic following but who, due to disputes with the label, soon split. With his newly formed band Jimi B, Robert Hoelting, Mike Cherney, Kelvin Womack and Bongo Fury , he decided it was time to get back on the road and did just that, appearing at some of the more popular places in Hollywood such as The Roxy, The Whisky A Go Go, Club 369, The Vipor Room, Rumps and others. He continued to record and tour all over the USA. As a prolific songwriter and solo artist he released Through The Eyes of Vincenzo. along with numerous other singles. Most recently, he has released some of his poetry writings which are being critically well-received. In 2004, after many requests from fans who wanted to see him in Canada, Jimi reformed "Abraham's Children" and toured the great white north. Although he was the only original member of the band they played all the hits and satisfied a crowd that for so long were anxious to see Jimi and The Children perform. In 2005 the band was back on the road again promoting Jimi's most recent project, a new double cd set titled "Abraham's Children 30", that captures the last thirty years of pop music with his band.This year Jimi released a collection of poetry that has been well received in the literary world. Also in the works is his involvement as writer and producer with his daughter Juli. His plans remain to be committed to his art, including touring and recording, and doing what he does best, exploring music to its fullest, writing poetry, cooking, surfing and snowboarding. ( many more pages to read about Jimi enjoy ) Marisa Lang Management

THE RECORD REVIEWS Jimi B - Jimi B A&m SP -9069 Jimi Bertucci is a veteran songwriter on the Canadian scene, and when he chooses to rock this album is first-rate - check Red White & Blue, Shake and All American Boy, which is a string AM grabber, Much of the rest, however meanders badly and has little substance - if the artist could live up to the promise of the three cuts mentioned, he's be a major star. Meanwhile, All American Boy is one of the best rock songs of the last 12 months.***

Keith Elshaw In The Grooves - Q107 FM Jimi B. Jimi B A & M 9069 - Jimi ( Bertucci ) B's career has been incubating for 10 years since he fronted " Abraham's Children, " a band which had a lot of success in Canada. Through ups and downs he has been writing material which documents a young man's odyssey through the streets, his encounters with society's special cases, his romantic dreams, and philosophical notations. A bassist primarily, his music has a rhythmic attitude which is appealing. The lyrics are catchy, poetic, topical. Jimi seems to be the kind of performer we expect to be a star and sing to us about our vulnerability whilst living in the grand style. He sounds more like a New Yorker than a Torontonian- or maybe it 's just that now we've grown up and can produce and recognize star qualities in ourselves. Jimi B is a classy artist, and his debut album should be well received, because it is all in the grooves

Jimi B. (which is for Bertucci) is another Canadian who is heading up the ladder of success. It has taken Jimi 10 years to be called an overnight sensation, but he is finally attaining a certain amount of that elusive quantity know as stardom. For anyone who feels he might be a trivia freak, it was Jimi B. who started Abraham's Children, and yes it was their Goddess Of Nature that was released on the United Artists Records. Score top marks for getting both those right. Anyway, Jimi's self titled album on A&M Records should help introduce him to some new fans. While there are some losers here (Shake) there are some winners like All American Boy and some good songs that are on the border of good (Bodies In The River, Strange Feeling). The set will not be a runnaway hit, but could garner a fair amount of interest. Barry Sweeney.

SOUND ADVICE By Brian Wakil Artist: Jimi B Album: Jimi B Label: A&M SP9069 Leave it to Toronto to produce another fresh breeze in what has lately become a progressively stale North American scene. Jimi B is an artist and album that flaunts very periodic flashes of imagination in writing and performance. In fact, Jimi B. could quite possibly be the most exportable Canadian musical talent this year, unless something dramatic surfaces. With the assistance of well known Toronto performers, BB Gabor and Prakash John, the album becomes a veritable catapult of influence and style. The moments of excitement out number the more mainstream two to one. If the Cars hadn't lost direction and interest and was still producing albums as progressive and interesting as its first, it would probably not sound unlike Jimi B. The big difference here is that Jimi B hasn't yet sacrificed inventiveness for strict formula. News Advertiser

Wallaceburg News Weekender - Bertucci has been announced for almost a decade. His original band Abraham's Children who had three albums released but shortly after the third album in 1975 the band dismembered. Since then he has been traveling around, continuing to write and produce until last year when he returned to Toronto to sign with A&M. His debut album features some good Canadian artists; bassist Prakash John, guitarists BB Gabor and Peter Follett, and keyboardist Jody Colero. Best cuts - Shake, Touch Me, Strange Feeling, Unit No.1980. Jimi B is on his way be sure to get a listen to the new sounds and new songs of Jimi B. Kathie Evenson

The Standard JIMI B - Jimi B is actually Jimi Bertucci, the active ingredient behind the defunct Abraham's Children, a band that spent many an evening dodging fists at the illustrious downtown Montebello Inn and Casualty Centre. Jimi's still pretty face tells me he's held up his guard with some determination over the years. This album is a reminder that Toronto has plenty more good music to offer.

ROCK LINES By Dirk Kiy Jimi B Jimi B Fist Fleet Street Furnished by A&M Records - Although Canadian bands don't nearly get the amount of push and air time that American and British rock bands do, There are some very impressive homegrown bands going. Such in the case with the new Jimi B album. Unfortunately with the good, there is quite often, the not so good, and the Fist album falls under that category. Let's start with the better album. Jimi Bertucci was raised in "Little Italy" in Toronto and has had some success back in the seventies with a band that some of you may remember, called Abraham's Children, who's :Goddess of Nature received some airplay. Jimi B has now come back with a dynamite debut solo album which he wrote, produced and does all the singing on. This is a Canadian album all the way, being recorded in Toronto, and using some fine Canadian musicians, such as bass player Prakash John (best known for his work with Alice Cooper) and the fast rising BB Gabor. The album has a multitude of different sounds, but side one is all new wave, from the very strange start of "Red White and Blue," with its hints of Peter Gabriel to the Cars - like "O Dee" which closes the side.The other two cuts on the opening side are not as strong as the two mentioned, but they are definitely - different.The lyrics are sharp and witty from " she knows what to say she knows what to do, she's sticking to me like crazy glue" to "O Dee's" sex change subject matter. Side two is more standard in musical terms, but it is super not a weak cut on it. "All American Boy" is a great cut complete with a real nice guitar break and background singing."Strange Feeling" is slow, very pretty number, that is perfect AM material, not meaning it's poppy, just a great song. A vocoder serves as the voice of "Unit 1980" a robot "motivated by the future". This is sneakingly. reminiscent of Nick Gilder.