James DeFrances

Infobox musical artist
Name = James De Frances


Img_capt = James De Frances performing at the Philadelphia Jazz Park in August 2007 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Img_size =
Background = Big Band Vocalist
Birth_name = James Michael De Frances
Alias = Jimmy D, Mr. East
Born = birth date and age|1989|7|11
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania [ [http://blog.silive.com/advanceupdate/2007/06/contrary_to_what_popular_belie.html "Staten Island Advance "Contrary to popular belief, this 'American Idol' is not from Island" June 17, 2007] ]
Died =
Origin = Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Instrument = Singing
Genre = Pop
Occupation = Singer
Years_active = 2003–present
Label = Lounge Lizard Records (2007- Present)
URL = [http://www.jamesdefrances.com www.jamesdefrances.com]

James Michael De Frances (born July 11, 1989, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is an Adult Contemporary baritone vocalist.

Background

De Frances was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but soon moved to Winchester, Virginia. Finally in 1995 he and his family re-located to Downingtown, Pennsylvania. He completed his initial education in the Downingtown Area School District and graduated from Downingtown High School with the class of 2007.

Career

His first public performance was in September 2003 at an Apple Butter Festival in Virginia. The show was well received among festival goers and prompted De Frances to set a goal to perform more widely in the coming years. In 2004 De Frances played as an opening act for the Glenn Miller Orchestra. He also performed in Chandler, Arizona and at New York City's historic Tavern on the Green in Central Park. In August 2005, De Frances appeared on the same bill as veteran crooner Al Martino at the Pittsburgh Italian Festival at the Station Square Amphitheatre. Private gatherings and corporate parties dominated his 2006 show schedule. 2007 brought even more opportunities, in July De Frances began work on what would become the short album "Christmastime is Here!" which is distributed by Lounge Lizard Records and Tunecore. During the summer of 2007 while on the golf course De Frances lost a bet with Downingtown business tycoon Jeff Shur of Army & Navy fame, and was talked into auditioning for the 2008 season of American Idol. The auditions took place at Philadelphia's Wachovia Center in August 2007. The evening of the audition De Frances appeared on MSNBC. An interview segment with Keith Olbermann aired along with a clip of De Frances singing the Johnny Mercer tune, Summer Wind.

Accolades

He has won multiple awards, including but not limited to the 2004 Make-A-Wish Foundation Talent Contest, the 2005 Atlantic City Boardwalk Superstar Show at Trump Plaza and the 2006 Three Little Bakers Dinner Theatre Idol Search.

Other

In early 2007 De Frances completed work as an intern at the Philadelphia based CBS AM radio station KYW (AM) 1060. Over 100 people participated in the internship and only 10 were recognized. De Frances received an award and a cash prize for his outstanding work on a series of Bio-Diesel and Alternative Fuels stories.

Local Downingtown reporter Joe D'Angelo of the Downingtown Ledger Newspaper has been reporting on De Frances' endeavors since early 2004 in his column.

In 2005 De Frances made a back stage appearance on The Tony Danza Show.

References

* 1. [http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=14513847&BRD=2247&PAG=461&dept_id=453366&rfi=8 James in the Downingtown Ledger]
* 2. [http://kyw1060info.com/newstudies/ James at CBS Radio KYW Online]

External links

* [http://www.jamesdefrances.com James De Frances Online Home Page]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMYVPTuEEqg James performing "At Long Last Love" on YouTube]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3Myi4DIgh8 James performing "Fly me to the moon" on YouTube]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxgGE6puv9k James performing "Quiet Nights" on YouTube]