James J. DePalma aka- Jimmy D/James D

Born in Warren, OH, and raised in Mt. Pleasant, PA, at the age of 13, Jimmy D hit the music scene playing polkas with “Four of a Kind”.  As a young musician, he was introduced to Pittsburgh soul, R&B and Rock and Roll.  Jimmy D honed his self-taught talents in the bands, “Carnival” and “Tammeny Hall”, where he displayed his amazing gift to audiences at local Legions and city events.  Jimmy D’s talent brought him together with older and more experienced players in the Pittsburgh/Greensburg areas.  Eddy Gray introduced him to multi-track recordings which sparked his interest in the recording/technical side of music.  In 1982, as a member of the group, “Smile”, he opened for Sly & The Family Stone. 

Fast forward 35 years, Jimmy D made his mark in the Harrisburg area by starting out in the country genre with “Jay Earl and the Oak Grove Band”.  Branching out, Jimmy D found doo wop with “Remember When,” barroom blues-rock, with “The Flyboys,” and the funk/dance scene with “Full Effect” and “The Impact Band”.  The “Jimmy D Blues Band” was a dynamic force in the central PA area, playing venues as Fast Eddies, Midtown Tavern, and The Rusty Nail with host, Ed Coffey, 93.5 WTPA.  It was not surprising that Jimmy D was a favorite and was frequently heard live on the Coffey and the Jammer morning show in the mid to late ‘90’s. “Jimmy D Blues Band” also opened for Bullseye Records recording artists “Room Full of Blues”.  Word quickly spread that the place to be was Tuesday Blues at the Harrisburg Gingerbread Man where the “Jimmy D Blues Band” trio shredded the likes of ZZ Top, SRV, Los Lonely Boys, and Eric Clapton. 

Jimmy D continues to transform himself and is now passionately engaging in an acoustic, successful solo career.  Pulling from his vast eclectic exposure to many styles of music, Jimmy D will tingle your senses with an array of music styles from the ‘60’s, ‘70’s, ‘80’s, ‘90’s, hearing Johnny Rivers to Incubus, Eagles to Stone Temple Pilots, REO Speedwagon to Cat Stevens, Moody Blues, Chicago to Rickenbaker 12 string performances of Tom Petty, and the Traveling Wilburys … and, yes, Grand Funk Railroad.  Currently, Jimmy D is active with the “Soul Solution Band” and his solo career.

Take a listen on Soundcloud and Facebook.  Stay connected and view upcoming events on Facebook. And, let Jimmy D know you are interested in listening to his CD, “This is My House”.  All tunes were written by Jimmy D except, the Buddy Miles song, “Them Changes”, in which he was in direct contact with Sherrilae Miles to gain permission to record the song … Jimmy D style.

Do not let Jimmy D’s smooth, clean shaven, unassuming David Gilmore persona fool you! He can light up a crowd with the best of them!

Contact Jimmy D.   

For Booking,Contact Cell:717-574-3288   email: jdepalma1956@gmail.com