JIM  VINCENT

JIM is a singer, composer, arranger, and one of The Accidentals' founding members. He grew up in a New Hampshire factory town, then earned his university tuition working in a woolen mill, where he could hear music in the deafening noise of the looms. After graduation he moved to NYC, where he acted, sang and music directed off-off Broadway and children's theater; worked as a vocal coach, music director and arranger for club and cabaret singers; played at The Village Gate, Catch a Rising Star, The Comic Strip, The Improv, etc. Jim has also worked as a clothing salesman, graphic artist, and membership manager of a national sex education agency. He comes from an old Quebec family and speaks a fair amount of French.

Jim's arrangements are always unique and full of feeling. A while ago, Jim took one section from Eleanor Wilner's poem "Concerto" and set it to music. The result of that collaboration will be heard on our forthcoming fourth CD. It's an amazing a cappella tour de force with an orchestral sound. Both Jim and Margaret have written songs to words by Eleanor. Here's a link to information about the poet.

It's important to note that Jim is one of two Accidentals from New England. They like to hang out sometimes and just kick around the Maine humor they were raised with. You too can laugh at bits like Gagnon, World Champion Moose Caller, The Return of Virgil Bliss, Harry Sleeps at L.L. Bean's, the Silent Chain Saw, M'am Hackett's Compost Heap, and The Stove with the Powerful Draft. Learn the correct Northerner's answer to questions such as "Have you lived here all your life?" by clicking here

By the way -- please note that Jim has a visual gift as well as his musical ones. He creates a lot of fine Accidental graphics, for CD's, programs, mailings, and whatever else we need. For instance, he created the cover for our last album!

And then there's Jim of Drum and Bugle Corps fame. If you listen carefully, you can hear echoes of his past in his vocal percussion on songs like "Beatnick" and "Mermaid." Want to follow in his illustrious footsteps? Then follow this link to Drum Corps International.