Jim Bryson

Biography

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The North Side Benches

Jim Bryson, formerly of Punchbuggy, hails from Ottawa, Ontario. Jim played in his first band at age 15 performing synthesizer covers at the Lyon's Club in Stittsville, Ontario. He's come a long way from those early days!

Though better known as a solo artist, Jim 'sometimes' is also a part of the aptly-named band, The Occasionals. Their self-titled, debut album in 2000 received rave reviews, and earned a spot in the Top 10 of almost every year-end music critics' list in Canada. They have even become a rotating band of all-star musicians, including Blue Rodeo's Bazil Donovan, Jim Cuddy Band's drummer Joel Anderson, and Oh Susanna.

In 2003, Jim released his Orange Record Label debut, The North Side Benches. Musically this album is very much about Jim Bryson. In addition to co-producing the album (with LeFeuvre and abetted by Kathleen Edward's producer Dave Droves), Bryson plays guitar and adds a number of restrained keyboard touches to the songs. The album features songs such as "Sleeping In Toronto," "Feel Much Better" and "Broken Fingers."

Jim is also quite an entertainer. The first time you're exposed to his live show, you won't know how to take this man and his self-deprecating humour. How often do you hear an artist asking the crowd to heckle him?

In 2006, Jim started worked on a new, un-named album. A release date for this new project has not yet been set.

Sources: Jim Bryson's official website

Relationship to Blue Rodeo

Jim has supported Blue Rodeo and the Jim Cuddy Band on numerous occasions since 2000, in Canada, the US and the UK.
While touring together in the UK in 2003, Jim Bryson 'borrowed' Blue Rodeo's rhythm section for his opening sets.
Blue Rodeo's Bob Egan and Glenn Milchem have both backed Jim Bryson up at various shows.
Jim has toured extensively as part of Kathleen Edward's band, another One Degree artist of Blue Rodeo.
Jim Bryson and Bazil Donovan have toured together in support of Oh Susanna, yet another One Degree of Blue Rodeo.
Jim Cuddy sings background vocals on the song "Somewhere Else" on Jim Bryson's 2003 release The North Side Benches. In addition he appeared in the video where he sings a solo verse.
Jim was part of a BBC Radio 2 program about Canadian music called "The Maple Music Revolution." This special also featured and interview with Jim Cuddy and highlighted Blue Rodeo as well as several other One Degree artists.
Jim played at the 2006 Ottawa Bluesfest that Blue Rodeo also performed at.

Quotes

"I'll be leaving the stage soon so you can see the Jim you really came to see!" - Jim Bryson bantering with the audience while opening for the Jim Cuddy Band.

Last Updated

October 2006

Special Thanks To

Amy