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| Jez and Francine at Eddies Attic 2/25/07 Photo by Chris Lewis-Concert Memories |
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I was born James Edward Granowsky in Binghamton New York Jan.30th 1959 to Jerry and Judy. I have an older brother named Jeff. I became Jimmy Graham in 1960 when my dad who at the time was working on a local T.V. show as Captain Jerry host of the Popeye show changed our last name. Soon he moved the family to New York City where he put aside his acting ambitions and began a long career in radio, working at WNEW throughout the 60's.
I developed an ear for music that was soon nurtured by my Aunt Bee Walker(writer of Hey Jealous Lover,recorded by Frank Sinatra) and by other family members. I remember the joy of sitting around the piano playing and singing from a very early age. My musical education was also informed by the sounds and sights of the times, including regular visits to The Fillmore East, Broadway Shows and of course Marx Brothers revivals, in fact my earliest musical influences are Chico and Harpo Marx.
In 1970 we moved to Stockbridge, Massachusetts where my Dad started a radio station (WGRG) that played a vast variety of music that influenced my eclectic taste in music.
At age 12 I began studying Jazz piano with Mike Schiffer who taught me all about Monk, Miles, Bird, Tristano(who my uncle Hal had drummed with in the 50's) and the other greats of Jazz.
In 1974 I picked up the nickname Jez from a guitarist named Dixie.
I also began to meditate which gave me the focus to practice and learn as much as possible. Soon I was playing in a band called Ball Of Confusion with Drummer Kenny Aronoff and Guitarist Bob Williams. I learned a great deal from these guys as well as from other local players like Ed Mann,John Sauer, Tommy Mars
Ball Of Confusion played in Lenox at The Music Inn keeping crowds dancing with their funk/rock fusion sound. I also began leading The Jez Graham Quartet who played some memorable gigs at Alice's Restaurant at Avaloch.
Another move was in store in 1975 when another radio station(KSAN) in San Francisco came into our life.
I finished my senior year at Berkeley High School while studying jazz piano with Art Lande. Through Art I began studying composition with W.A. Mathieu. More study took place in the years 76-78 including North Indian Flute with G.Sachdev, and singing with Pandit Pran Nath and Terry Riley.
After one semester at Evergreen College I played a memorable show with The Fleetwoods and Nokie Edwards of The Ventures before heading to L.A. where my Mom had re-located.
In L.A. I played an assortment of dues paying gigs that gave me the experience I will always be grateful for. After a tour of Japan with R+B group Between The Two, I kicked around town playing with everyone from Elvis impersonators to a stint as house pianist at The Comedy Store playing on and off such comics as Jim Carey, Richard Pryor, Howie Mandel, Sam Kinison, and my favorite Fred Asparagus. I also jammed with some great musicians like Shuggie Otis, Blackbird McKnight, Derek (Waldo) Roberts, and Terry Bozzio.
In 81/82 I co-led the New Wave Power Pop groups Section 8 with David Steinberg, and The Now with Bobby Robles. I also played in The Legendary Ladies of Rock And Roll show with Darlene Love, Ronnie Spector, and Martha Reeves.
I began a duo gig with Michol Sullivan at The Marquis and a beautiful girl came up and asked if we could play In My Life. It was love at first site. Mindy and I were married Dec.30th 1983.
That same year I had a great time playing and singing in the backup band for The Honeys. I played the L.A. club circuit with them and appeared in their video Running Away From Love.
In 85/86 I worked a lot with Tommy Dunbar of the Bay Area Pop group The Rubinoos. 2 of the songs we co-wrote can be heard on The Rubinoos Garage Sale. Tommy also produced my Pop Dream sessions.
It was my pleasure in these years to play a house gig in Monterey Park Ca. with Lee Van Stone, at Skippy's Golden Gopher where Johnny Miller Bassist for The Original Nat King Cole Trio had come out of retirement to play.
In the first week of Oct. 87 I realised a dream by auditioning for Frank Zappa. Though I did not get the gig, I learned so much that week and will never forget dinner with F.Z.
In Feb 88 Mindy gave birth to our first child and we decided to get a fresh start in Atlanta.
In 92 our second child was born. Both kids are fine musicians and nothing pleases me more than jamming with Bill and Janna or just hearing them practice through the walls of our Stone Mountain home.
Since coming to Atlanta I have enjoyed gigging around town and have continued to write and record.
I released my first official CD in 94 and have released 5 other titles.
In 95 I began accompanying the amazing vocalist Francine Reed who is well known for her work with Lyle Lovett. One of the highlights of the year is our engagments at Libby's Cabaret including The Reed Family Christmas Show.
97-97 -The Trio with Ramon Pooser, Mike Hinton, and myself played 4 nights a week at The Martini Club and recorded the CD Thursday which received national airplay.
99-I joined Del Baroni's On The Air and 8 piece band specializing in Sinatra. Del and I also work as a Duo.
99/00-Played and recorded with Rita Graham(no relation) who was used to sing with Ray Charles and Harry James.
2000/01- Jez Graham and The Combination released 2 CD's and appeared at The Atlanta Jazz Festival.
02/03 The new Trio with Bill Hatcher and Joel Morris released the CD Monday and played Mondays at Sambuca for a couple years.
04-Jan.08 I was Pianist/Music Director at Unity/Rockdale.
04 I recorded my first CD tribute to the music of Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys.
In 05 I began collaborating with poet/lyricist Stephen Kalinich.
Our CD "You Can Soar" was released in summer 06.
O7 found me re-releasing my cd's and introducing them into the digital download universe as well as continuing my gigs around Atlanta and the southeast with Del Baroni and Francine Reed as well as reconnecting and playing with many old friends and colleagues.
08-Began serving as music director at Sacred Tapestry Church where I am playing a Jazz service along with my son Bill.
Continuing with new musical concepts at Cafe Circa on Mondays with some of my favorite musicians and vocalists.
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