DESCRIPTION:
PIANIST/VOCALIST & KEYBOARDIST/GUITARIST("one-man-band") JIM LOFTUS IS THE # 1 BOOKED SOLO ARTIST AT GIGMASTERS.COM IN THE PA/NJ/DE/MD AREA(74 bookings). FIND JIM'S PAGE THRE AT www.gigmasters.com/swing/jimloftus . Jim was the opening act Fri.,March 23,2007 for SHAW-BLADES(Tommy Shaw of STYX & JACK BLADES of NIGHT RANGER) at Crocodile Rock in Allentown. He has also opened for REGIS PHILBIN & TODD RUNDGREN,played tribute dinners for JULIE ANDREWS,MILTON BERLE,DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS,JR.AND ROSETTA LeNOIRE AT THE PLAZA & WALDORF-ASTORIA HOTELS & 21 CLUB--AND IS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR FUNCTION! Jim is an exceptional pianist/keyboardist/vocalist who has played public and private venues extensively in NYC, the Lehigh Valley, PA, and more recently in Philadelphia and its surrounding regions since 1986. His original musical 'Ghosts On Broadway' played the John Houseman Theatre in NYC in 1995...and he released two original pop/rock CDs 'THE FAME GAME'(2000) and 'Rockuperation'(2003). SEVERAL OF THE mp3 SONG SAMPLES AT THE RIGHT ON THIS PAGE ARE ORIGINAL SONGS FROM JIM'S CDs(Keep in mind these are ORIGINALS--Jim does accurate renderings of all of the "cover" songs in the songlist below--including VOCAL IMPERSONATIONS of many of the original artists!--check out a few mp3s on this page of his impersonations) Jim is also a SAG/AFTRA actor who has appeared in three episodes of "LAW & ORDER:SVU", most notably playing a featured jury member on the episode "STRAIN"(original airdate Oct.18, 2005; has aired several times on NBC and USA and most recently on March 31, 2007 on the USA NETWORK).Jim has also appeared in 'HITCH' with Will Smith; been on 5 episodes of 'HACK' on CBS and a 'SEX & THE CITY' episode on HBO(third to the last show, final 6th season); he's starred in many stage musicals as well, playing Jesus in 'JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR' and many other roles. He is available for private parties whether corporate or residential and year-round wedding receptions(including ceremony music--he played Church Organ for 15 years and did numerous wedding ceremonies). He can does primarily solo work on piano and vocals or with his double keyboard setup and acoustic guitar (sounds like a full band since drums and bass are programmed in keyboards). HE WILL CONSIDER TRAVELLING GREAT DISTANCES(INTERSTATE)SO HE ENCOURAGES YOU TO BID FOR HIS SERVICES REGARDLESS OF DISTANCE.

Jim plays a wide gamut of material from the '20's through today as demonstrated by the incredibly diversified songlist below; Old Standards/Sinatra era/Jazz; Broadway old and new; and Pop/rock music from the '50's to today.

Some prestigious venues Jim has played for clients booked through Gigmasters website this past 2 years are:

--THE WALDORF-ASTORIA HOTEL, NYC (wedding reception)

--THE YALE CLUB, NYC (memorial service)

--THE SNAPPER INN, Oakdale NY (wedding reception)

--THE PEN RYN MANSION, Bensalem, PA (cocktail receptions)

--RAMADA INN AIRPORT HOTEL, Essington, PA(Philadelphia)(WWII reunion)

--GADSBY'S TAVERN RESTAURNANT, Alexandria VA (wedding reception)

--RITTENHOUSE HOTEL, Philadelphia PA (cocktail wedding reception)

--MAGGIANO'S RESTAURANT, King of Prussia PA (wedding reception)

--BAY PONY INN, Lederach, PA (wedding ceremony/reception)

--TYLER ARBORETUM, Media, PA (wedding ceremony/reception)

--Trenton Country Club, Trenton NJ (wedding reception)

--Bridgewater Manor, Bridgewater, NJ (wedding reception)

--Fayson Lakes Clubhouse, Kinnelon, NJ (birtday party)

--The Lafayette Inn, Easton, PA (wedding reception)

--Dancer Farm Bed & Breakfast, New Egypt, NJ (Summer birthday party)

--Faunbrook Bed & Breakfast, West Chester, PA (wedding reception)

--Moshulu Restaurant, Penns Landing/Philadelphia PA (cocktails)

--Pagannini's Restaurant, Doylestown PA (wedding reception)

--Trattoria Dopo Teatro,125 W.44th St., NYC (Company Xmas Party)

--Curtis Hall, Wyncote PA (wedding reception)

***AND HERE ARE OTHER GREAT VENUES JIM HAS ENTERTAINED IN 2004:

--HOLIDAY INN EAST, Rts. 512 & 22, Bethlehem, PA

--BLUE BELL COUNTRY CLUB, Blue Bell PA (bluebellcc.com--on the 'preferred vendors' list)

--THE EVANSBURG INN, Collegeville PA

--NORTHAMPTON COUNTRY CLUB, Easton PA

--BRANDYWINE MANOR HOUSE INN, Honey Brook PA

--NORMANDY FARM(Private functions and Coleman Restuarant)Blue Bell PA (normandyfarm.com--on the 'preferred vendors' list)

--MARRIOTT COURTYARD PHILADELPHIA DOWNTOWN,21 Juniper St.,Philadelphia --KNOWLTON MANSION, 8001 Verree Rd., Philadelphia (on their 'preferred vendors' list)

--GLEN FOERD MANSION, 5001 Grant Ave.,Philadelphia (on their 'preferred vendors' list)

--FINGER'S RESTAURANT & PIANO BAR, Erdenheim PA

--EVVIVA, 1236 Montgomery Ave.,Narberth PA

--CAIRNWOOD MANSION, 3034 Huntingdon Pike, Bryn Athen PA

--ODETTE'S RESTAURANT & PIANO BAR, New Hope PA

--CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL, 9th & Hamilton, Allentown PA

--THE NASSAU INN, 10 Palmer Square, Princeton NJ

--THE BLUE HORSE RESTAURANT & TAVERN, Blue Bell PA

--THE YARDLEY INN, Yardley PA

--SCALINI's RESTAURANT, 3790 Via De La Valle St.,Del Mar,California

--MILLE FLEURS RESTAURANT, 6009 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe, California

--REMBRANDT'S RESTAURANT, 23rd & Aspen Sts.,Philadelphia

AND BELOW ARE MANY WEDDING-RELATED TESTIMONIALS FROM GIGMASTERS CLIENTS:

Jim played our cocktail hour at the Stroudsmoor Country Inn on May 19, 2007 and did a fantastic job. He played songs from a requestlist and other crowd pleasers. He took requests, playing the wedding song of another couple during the event to their delight. He was very professional and easy to get in touch leading up to and before the event. He was set up on time, and began playing promptly when guest arrived. Many people commented how his presence made the cocktail hour. I would highly recommend Jim for any function that you might have. Top notch performer, and he even plays The Who on piano!
--Chris Stuchko (Stroudsmoor Inn, Stroudsburg PA)
Stroudsburg, PA
5/19/2007 Jim was awesome! I could not have hired a better organist for our wedding. He was very professional and extremely talented. He drove a long way to perform at our wedding and we could not be more appreciative. Jim definitely goes above and beyond and makes you feel comfortable from the very first contact with him. I would recommend him in a heartbeat. He is wonderful. Thanks for everything Jim!
--Denise Otero (Allaire State Park Chapel, Farmingdale NJ)
Wall Township, NJ
5/13/2007

An amazing pianist & vocalist! OUTSTANDING! Arrived early, played perfectly, entertained wonderfully, dressed professionally, and was just PERFECT!! I would use Jim again in a heartbeat and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND HIM for ANY event!
--Alicia Bojazi, Celebrations, Bensalem PA)
Bensalem, PA
2/17/2007

Jim played for our wedding ceremony 9/23/06 and we were so pleased with his performance, his willingness to accomodate our special requests and his professionalism. Any song we requested, if Jim was not familiar with it, he learned it for us. One of the most impressive aspects of our event was that Jim was accompanied by a trumpet player and went out of his way to rehearse with the trumpet player weeks before the wedding to ensure the music would be perfect. We would highly recommend Jim ... my husband bad I, along with our guests are still singing his praises. Anne and Vince
--Anne Noga (St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Pottsville PA)
Pottsville, PA
9/23/2006

Getting anything unknown over the internet can be scary, but that was how we chose Jim, sight and sound unseen. We were so pleasantly surprised and pleased by his performance and professionalism that I would definitely recommend him. Better yet, everyone who attended our wedding only had great things to say about him. He really helped make our wedding memorable Jan Most
--Jan Loving Most (Snapper Inn, Oakdale NY)
Oakdale, NY
9/8/2006

Jim was fabulous. He is extremely talented, professional, flexible and friendly. I could not have asked for a better personality (warm, calming, adaptable, friendly) - he helped make my wedding extra special and I would recommend him to anyone!!!!
--Randi Gomberg, Glen Foerd Mansion, Philadelphia)
Philadelphia, PA
12/16/2005 Jim Loftus was the absolute best. My new husband and I were very pleased w/ his performance at our wedding. Not to mention the dedication. His tire blew out on the way to our wedding, he still managed to get there on time and was as professional as could be. I will definately recommend Jim to anyone I know who is having a funcion/occasion. thank you so much Jim for your pleasant experience.
--Lucy Haake (Pine Manor, Edison NJ)
Edison, NJ
10/9/2005 Jim Loftus was a last minute miracle! Three weeks before my wedding and, I still could not find a pianist that knew how to play the songs that I wanted. As soon as I put my request in for a pianist at Gigmasters.com, I received a response from Jim the next day, stating that he could play all the songs that I suggested. Before the rehearsal Jim made sure to keep in contact with me through email and telephone, just to see if anything had changed. His prices were wonderful and his personality is even better. We even came up with a last minute entrance and he knew just what song to play. I couldn't have asked for a better pianist. He was absolutely great!
--Karida Holley (Philadelphia Christian Center, Bensalem PA)
Bensalem, PA
9/17/2005 Hiring Jim to play at my daughter's wedding was a smart move. He is professional, personable and plays beautifully.
--Melanie Munden (Tyler Arboretum, Media PA)
Media, PA
7/30/2005 Picture this-- It is two weeks before your wedding. You have: the man, the food, the locations, and all of the pretty flowers, but no way to get up or down the aisle. Then, your knight in shinny armor comes galloping into your inbox and solves all of you bridal woes. I was an irresponsible bride who left most details until the last minute. I was so concerned with looking nice, I forgot to book an organist. In addition to simply booking an organist, I also had to get him or her approved. I was dealing with a rather stubborn music professor whose elitist attitude excluded all organists who hadn't played his particular organ before. After a few phone conversations with Jim, I explain to him my predicament. He said "ok, so give me his phone number." Taken back by this, I responded, "are you serious?" A half-hour later Jim had called me back to tell me that he had a meeting with the stubborn professor the very NEXT day! At no extra cost, he met with the professor just to prove the legitimacy of his talent. He even insisted on tuning the organ! I was so relived. Once he was officially my organist, he asked me all kinds of questions having to do with the ceremony—none of which, I knew the answers to. Because of my poor communication skills, I expected Jim to show up and just kinda play. I figured it couldn't be that bad. So he showed up the day of my wedding, and my guests and I gaped with amazement. His enchanting voice and piano and organ playing exuded aptitude. After the ceremony, I got a million inquiries like "where did you find that guy?" and "can I have his contact information?" In short, Jim Loftus gleams professionalism and talent. I couldn't have found a better organist if I had booked him three years in advance. He took so many burdens off of my shoulders, and with a smile, placed them on his own—that is a professional.
--Nadelle Ball (Bomberger Hall, Ursinus College)
Collegeville, PA
7/16/2005 Jim was amazing, he fufilled our dreams with his musical talents at our Wedding. He is a lovely fellow and accomodated everthing that we wanted. The only down side is that we live in the UK otherwise we would hire him all the time.
--Tania Lawrence (Waldorf Towers at the Waldorf-Astoria, NYC)
Nyc, UK
7/15/2005 Jim was wonderful to work with. He drove an incredible distance for our wedding. Jim took care of everything, making sure everything ran smoothly, and making my life easier! My guests loved him, and I especially appreciate his preparation of special requests. I would recommend him to anyone!
--Claire Gron (Gadsby's Tavern)
Alexandria, VA
6/11/2005 Jim thank you so much for the wonderful evening, that you made happened. You did a wonderful job and we will recommend you to all of our friends!!!! Best wishes of success in your career, Jenny & Chris van Dijl
--Jenny Cuellar (Marriott Downtown Philadelphia)
Philadelphia, PA
3/4/2005

WHY NOT ADD YOUR FUNCTION AND VENUE TO JIM'S LIST! CONTACT JIM TODAY!