REVIEWS

[In recital] "James captured a good deal of the shifting moods evoked by the poems. Moreover, his vocal prowess – with its deep, resonant baritone tinted with just the right amount of vibrato, excellent diction, great attention to dynamics and solid projection – was beyond reproach."
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"Among the other soloists in the cast, Jimi James stood out as the Pirate King for his robust, evenly produced baritone and vivid way with phrasing, not to mention dynamic acting."
THE BALTIMORE SUN 7/09

”...but something was still missing. The answer was Jimi James as Georgio Germont. When he first appeared in Act II, the production was transformed. Readers of my review of Granite State Opera's 2007 production of Lucia Di Lammermoor may recall my praise for his Enrico. If anything, he outdid himself as Georgio Germont. His singing and acting were superb, and Karapetian seemed energized in his presence. Their duet Dite alla giovine was breathtaking as was Germont's famous aria Di Provenza.”
SEEN AND HEARD 11/08

”As Papageno, James proved the production's best actor as well as its most convincing character. Singing "A merry birdcatcher I am" on stilts roughly four feet high presents obvious challenges - and gives new meaning to a singer's perennial nightmare of "falling on your face." Happily, James was steady in both voice and feet throughout the evening, with crisp diction and a booming baritone that resonated throughout every crevice of the theater, and quite possibly clear across to the War Memorial.”
THE POST STANDARD 10/08

"By contrast, baritone Jimi James played Dr. Bartolo with a full, colorful baritone and commanding stage presence. His falsetto bleats were side-splitting."
ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE 9/08

"...but baritone Jimi James in the role of Tonio was so powerful as to almost become the focal point of the production. His strong, inherently dramatic vocal resources galvanized the audience.”
THE POST STANDARD 4/08

"Jimi James, a popular local singer blessed with a dark, enormous tone, was a menacing Pizarro."
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”...and the leonine-voiced bass Jimi James made the most of the smattering of the role of Pizzaro.”
THE POST STANDARD 1/08

"Robust-voiced baritone Jimi James makes a commanding figure - and commanding singer - as Escamillo, the sex-object bullfighter who ultimately displaces the troubled Don Jose."
CHARLESTON GAZETTE 5/07

"Jimi James seemed to be having a great time as Escamillo, the toreador, who could "shoot the bull" as well as fight one."
CHARLESTON DAILY MAIL 5/07

"… upstaged by Jimi James' Bartolo, as was the rest of the cast. The baritone captivated with a rich, resonant voice, impeccable comic timing and a commanding presence."
THE WASHINGTON POST 3/07

"The third singer Gretz introduced to Annapolis Opera who seems on the brink of stardom is Jimi James. Having heard James two years ago sing an unforgettable "Elijah" with the Annapolis Chorale and an amazing Billy Bigelow in the chorale's Carousel, I was delighted to finRd him cast as Dr. Bartolo in "Barber."
He not only possesses as resonant and rich a baritone as we could find, but he also displayed natural comedic talent that included great pratfalls."
THE BALTIMORE SUN 3/07

"In discussing the Doctor Bartolo of baritone Jimi James and the Don Basilio of bass Jeffrey Tarr, we enter the realm of Major Voices (note the capitals). Their respective performances were characterized by rock-solid vocalism and powerful projection. From Mr. James' very first entrance in the first act, we were aware of a dominant stage presence, and this impression continued through his comic turns as Basilio's 'foil' in the aria 'La calunnia' and in his own classic offering, 'A un dottor della mia sorte.'"
THE CAPITOL 3/07

"As Escamillo, Syracuse baritone Jimi James proved that not all local singers are subpar, contrary to conventional wisdom. James rose to the challenge of performing the opera's most recognizable tune ("Toreador's song") with an assertive, full voice, conveying Escamillo's swaggering chest-puffery through vocal color instead of physical caricature."
KVPOE.BLOGSPOT.COM 10/06

"Baritone Jimi James (Figaro) sang with ease and a rich chocolaty sound throughout. His high notes were notably big and clear, and he conveyed the expected humor of the role with bite."
CHARLESTON GAZETTE 5/06

"Of the many principals, Jimi James sporting a lion of a voice was impressive as Figaro. He commands the stage and his vocal resources seem endless."
THE POST STANDARD 4/06

"Jimi James (Rigoletto) delivered a fierce performance of the title role. The passion was as startling as it was telling."
THE BALTIMORE SUN 4/06

"Jimi James (Masetto) and Megan McCorkle were marvelous as a young couple whose lives were dizzied by Don Giovanni's toying with the affections of young Zerlina. The voices of Masetto and Zerlina were splendid and the acting prowess of each was exceptional."
TRI-STATE DEFENDER 3/06

"Jimi's rendition is absolutely beautiful, so moving."
PAUL MORAVEC, COMPOSER "SONGS OF LOVE AND WAR" 11/05

"Every segment was perfect, with James (Mefistofele) delivering a dazzling performance that not only displayed his magnificent voice but showcased his dance expertise and delicious sense of humor."
THE BALTIMORE SUN 11/05

"Pride of place must go to Mr. James' playful and downright diabolical Mefistofele: Not only was the part well-sung with beautifully sustained lower bass notes, but Mr. James acted the role with considerable flair, taunting the audience and occasionally leaning insouciantly against the conductor's podium."
THE CAPITOL 11/05

"The vocalism exhibited during the performance of "Elijah" was excellent. Jimi James was superb in his rendition of the title role. What particularly distinguished his performance was that, while consistent, he was never dull and was adept with his vocal acting."
THE CAPITAL 5/05

"The Germont pθre of baritone Jimi James was sung with enormous richness of tone, great attention to the text, a seamless legato and volume to spare. Both action and expression leading up to his powerful and vocally beautiful "Di Provenza" were flawless."
THE ITHACA JOURNAL 5/05

"Jimi James brought a magnificent voice and strong acting skills to the role of Billy. He delivered a warm "If I Loved You" and a thrilling "Soliloquy"."
THE BALTIMORE SUN 2/05

"Baritone Jimi James was convincingly evil as Lucia's brother Enrico, but even more convincing as a leading vocalist. His singing seemed thunderous and expansive, consistent with his character's temper and lack of restraint."
MEMPHIS COMMERCIAL APPEAL 9/04

"Anna Vikre and baritone Jimi James deliver spellbinding performances in Opera Memphis's 49th season opener."
ON STAGE 9/04

"Among the delightfully fresh ideas was a Papageno on stilts. Gamely played by Jimi James, the birdman seemed to flutter on stage and then took over the evening. James used his warm baritone to great effect, whether hilarious or touching."
OPERA NEWS 8/04

"Jimi James was one of the strongest Masettos I've ever seen on stage. His "Ho capito" was sung with a terrific mixture of blind outrage and intended class irony."
THE ITHACA JOURNAL 5/02