While guitarists, drummers and bassists are standard in most musical groups, the biggest increase in recent instrumental popularity goes to the violin. Considered to be a staple of classical or Celtic music, the versatility of the instrument has made it a featured player in the sounds of everyone from rockers Louis XIV to balladeer Gregory Page. Despite the rise in the instrument’s profile, only one nontraditional performer has made it the lead instrument “” Jamie. A resident of San Diego since 1994, Jamie, who will perform an evening of songs by Antonio Carlos Jobim at Anthology on Oct. 21, has been playing music since she was 5 years old.
“I chose it as my life path in 1994 when I discovered how to create my own sound and to improvise,” she recalled. As a songwriter she finds it important to also play guitar and piano, but violin was “a medium that I could comfortably express myself in.”
Like acoustic pop singer Jewel, Jamie performed her first show at defunct Pacific Beach coffeehouse The Innerchange.
“I got there in an ice cream truck, bells and all,” she laughed. Spontaneity was the order of the day. “I played songs that I had written the day before.”
Though quickly composed, the songs would form the foundation of her debut album, 2004’s “Music from a Love Shared.” Although she’s only made one further solo album, 2006’s “Piazza Di Spagna,” in the ensuing time, Jamie has been an in-demand sessions player, showing up on releases from a diverse talent pool that includes jazz legend Joe Marillo, roots rockers Comanche Moon and vocalist Barbara Jamerson. Her influences as a writer are diverse. She includes national acts such as Gershwin and Neil Young among favorites, as well as locals Daniel Jackson and Paul Kamanski, but it’s Jobim who she has focused on for her upcoming performance.
“He is rarely played on the violin, and the melodies are so beautiful,” she explained. “The fusion that happened between Brazilian songwriters, with their gentle rhythms and transcendent lyrics and the chops and style of jazz musicians, gave birth to a new page in the Great American Songbook.”
Though she plays private functions and the occasional informal gig several times a week, these days a full concert performance from Jamie is actually a rare occurrence. Interestingly, the performance at Anthology will actually be her second Jobim showcase, following a concert in 2005. Though the show was packed, the response from her musical peers made a follow up program almost mandatory.
“[Fattburger] keyboardist Carl Evans Jr. came to the show, and he said it was like being at church. He mentioned the joy and healing he felt,” she enthused. “There was a tangible magic to that night.”
An all-star ensemble including Mikan Zlatkovich (piano), Bob Boss (guitar), Rob Thorsen (bass), Carlos Vasquez (drums), Monette Marino (percussion) and Daniel Jackson (saxophone) will accompany Jamie during the Oct. 21 show. Was it difficult to get such an impressive roster of musicians together?
“No. These are my friends and family,” she said. “I was just lucky that everyone was available for the date, though Daniel made me walk his cats for a week, Rob made me get him 25 Mr. Frostys and Mikan made me wash his car,” she joked. Having been involved in the music community for more than a decade, Jamie feels she is just hitting her stride.
“As the life experiences grows and my understanding grows, the feelings and tones get deeper,” she remarked. Jamie still finds performing to be a rewarding experience on many levels.
“It’s given me a beautiful life and that’s what it’s all about,” she said. “Music has kept my heart and ears open.” Jamie performs at Anthology, 1337 India St., on Sunday, Oct. 21. 7 p.m. Tickets are $9-$27.
For more information visit www.anthologysd.com.
