Jim Gallant, New Gloucester, ME
Whether performing at a coffeehouse, college concert or an outdoor festival, Jim's music has never failed to capture the hearts and feet of his audience. His up-tempo guitar style, mix of catchy originals and masterful interpretations of contemporary music leaves his audience feeling fully satisfied. From Dylan and the Beatles to Bach and blues slide guitar his performances are filled with lot's of fun and excitement.
Ron Silverstein of "20th Century Guitar Magazine", writes "A gifted acoustic guitarist, Jim Gallant's fretboard is both rhythmic and tuneful. In the fall of 2003 "New England Trekker" a New England based magazine did an in depth article of Jim and his music and called him "a world class player". His song "The Don" about the 1941 maritime tragedy which took place off the coast of Maine, that claimed the lives of 34 people from his home towns of Mexico and Rumford Me, was used as a theme song in the MPBN televised documentary "Gone: the Mystery of the Don. Cyrus Rhodes of the Muse's Music says of his fourth CD "Old Hat with a New Coat" a collection of mostly down home original Americana songs. "From start to finish Old Hat with a New coat by Jim Gallant is one impressive catalog of music".
Mix a little Americana, Blues, Folk, Bluegrass and Rockabilly with some great original music and you have the music of the Jim Gallant Band. Individually they have shared the stage with the likes of Livingston Taylor, Doc Watson, Taj Mahal, Chubby Checker, the New Grass Revival and many more. Along with Jim are some extremely talented musicians. Rick Masters is a long time guitar great from Portland Me having played with Chubby Checker, Big AL Downing Kathy Matea and many more . His lead playing webs an intricate musical story throughout there music. Adding the driving force to the music is bassist Billy Belskis. Originally from Rumford Me Billy is an incredible musician who has played with many of the top bands in the Northeast such as Rush and The Waiters. Tying the whole sound together is vocalist, percussionist and music arranger is Mark Burns. Marks sense of harmony and musicianship has given the group a definite vocal sound which perfectly matches their incredible instrumental sound.
Jim performs throughout New England as a solo or with his band. He has shared the stage with Doc Watson, New Grass Revival, Taj Mahal, Livingston Taylor Jessie colin Young, Dave Von Ronk and others. He has been a guitar instructor at Fiddlehead Center for the Arts since its beginning. He is available for concerts, songwriting and guitar workshops
