Jim possesses a smooth singing style that is perfect for swing and ballads.....and when it's time to accelerate the tempo, he's totally able and adept - an excellent improviser performing a repertoire of the Great American Songbook. His style combines influences from his four favorite mentors, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé and Tony Bennett and David Street.
Jim was the featured vocalist for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra on several occasions. Jim had the opportunity to perform with comedian and Master of Ceremonies: Tom Dreesen. Tom Dreesen opened for Frank Sinatra and traveled with him for over 14 years.
Tom’s comment about Jim was:
"There are just a few vocalists today that can present this music as it was intended, and Jim Paravantes is one of them".
Tommy
Dorsey sound comes to Monroe
by: Barb Krolak
Monroe, Michigan News "2008"
Jim
Paravantes thinks big-band music is "the best music that's
out there."
That's why he's happy to be the featured vocalist for Sunday's
show by the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra at the River Raisin Centre
for the Arts. "The standards they created back in the '30s and '40s keep
getting better. I'm a believer that that type of music has to
remain," he told The Evening News in a recent telephone
interview from his home in Canton, Michigan.
The Fourth Time
It's the fourth time Mr. Paravantes has performed with the
legendary big band, owner of such hits as "Marie,"
"I'll Never Smile Again" and "Stardust." He
sings regularly in southeastern Michigan - mostly jazz.- "It's a passion for me," he said.
The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra has been called one of the best
all-around dance bands in big-band history.
Called the Sentimental Gentleman of Swing, Mr. Dorsey was
"a master at creating warm, sentimental, and always musical
moods - at superb dancing and listening tempos," according
to press information.
Among the band's vocalists were Frank Sinatra and Jo Stafford. The end of World War II, big-band music was on the wane and many
bandleaders put down their batons, Mr. Dorsey included.
Two Years Later
However,
just two years later, he started a new group.
The band now is led by Buddy Morrow, a trombone player and
original member of the Tommy Dorsey Band. He also played with
Paul Whiteman, Artie Shaw and Jimmy Dorsey.
The band's repertoire includes original Dorsey classics along
with a range of popular music.
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 Jim on Facebook
March 7, 2013
Some great big band standards (7 - 10pm). Club 54 is on Van Dyke north of 16 Mile Road in Sterling Heights, Michigan.
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Out of the Ordinary Recordings
"Venus"
"Go Away Little Girl"
"Smells Like Teen Spirit
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