Jimmy Amadie, a Philadelphia native, is a jazz pianist and educator. He has been called “a serious keyboard talent by Billboard Magazine” and “America’s top jazz educators” by Jazz Forum Magazine. His musicianship and skill have been compared with Hank Jones and Tommy Flanagan, but his determination to overcome terrible obstacles has inspired. Jimmy Amadie is best known as a musician and music teacher, but his first love was competitive sport. Jimmy was an athlete who participated in the Sand Lot Sports League, the Pop Warner Conference for baseball and learned how to box at the Lighthouse Boys Club. Amadie was unable to compete due to injuries sustained in sports. Amadie then dedicated his entire time to music. Amadie studied classical piano in the Brahms Conservatory. In his twenties, Amadie discovered jazz piano when he went on tour with The Woody Herman Band. He also accompanied Mel Torme and played with legendary players like Red Rodney and Charley Ventura. For three years, he was the leader and founder of the Red Hill Inn in Pennsauken. He later took his trio to New York’s Copacabana. Amadie developed severe tendonitis while playing for up to 70 hours per week. Amadie’s condition was so severe that he couldn’t play for more than thirty years. His livelihood as a performer was affected. Then he turned his attention to writing. He wrote two books, “Harmonic foundation for jazz and popular music” (1981) as well as “Jazz Improv : How to play it and teach it” (1990). Amadie’s books have been widely used and some sections have been translated into Japanese, French, German and Italian. Amadie was able to return to the piano after seven rounds of physical therapy and reconstructive surgery. His 1994 album “Always With Me” was only recorded for a few minutes, with long breaks between. Jimmy continues to record and has produced seven albums. He arranged the music and wrote many original songs. He has become more efficient over time and can now complete an album in two sessions. Amadie’s most recent recordings include “Let’s Groove”, featuring Phil Woods, as well as “The Philadelphia Story”, featuring Benny Golson and Randy Brecker. Lee Konitz, Joe Lovano, and Lew Tabackin are among his new 2010 album, “Kindred Spirits”. Amadie is a great teacher. His students include high school, college, and professional musicians. He also teaches private students in his studio. He also taught summer programs for teachers at Villanova University and Berklee College of Music for a total of twenty-nine year. He has taught workshops and courses at national and state conferences across the country, including the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE) and the National Music Educators Association (NMEA). Jimmy was featured on CBS Sunday Morning with Scott Simon, NPR’s Weekend Edition and the Philadelphia Inquirer, as well as Jazz Times, Down Beat and Jazz Forum magazines. He was also a co-author of compositions with Steve Allen, and a composer/conductor at the National Football League Film Scores. Jimmy currently teaches, plays, and works on a trio album with Tony Marino on bass and Bill Goodwin drums. Lucille, his wife for forty-five year, is his happily married, and has helped him achieve his life’s purpose. Without her sacrifices, his success wouldn’t have been possible. bio by www.jimmyamadie.com
