Jemima James

Jemima James: I grew up in Colorado and went to the Boston Museum School. I joined a band, dropped out of art school and moved to N.Y.C. with my partner, Michael Mason in the early 70’s. He and I became staff songwriters for Famous Music, the music-publishing arm of Paramount. I’ve been on and off writing, playing, and recording ever since. I’m 65. I’ve been a prep cook, preschool teacher, maid, caterer, counter girl, and have taken care of old people, which I still do. I had the privilege of recording with the great guitarist Michael Bloomfield who liked my songs. Jack Nitzsche, the composer and pianist wanted to start a record label and produce a group of artists including me but Jack couldn’t get along with the men who ran the music busness . I recorded an album at beautiful Long View Farm – a residential recording studio in western MA – where I lived, and paid my way for three years cleaning, cooking, mucking, milking. I enjoyed serving the J. Geils Band, Tim Curry, Arlo Guthrie, Pat Matheny, John Belushi, Paul Winter, the Rolling Stones, Bill Graham, others. In the mid 80’s Michael Mason and I rejoined forces and had two boys, Willy and Sam Mason, We raised them on Martha’s Vineyard. Both have grown to become highly accomplished artists, musicians, writers, delightful humans. In the spring of 2016 Team Love Records will release two of my records in a one package: the 1979 Long View record, and one I recorded in October 2015 at Old Soul Studio in Hudson, NY with my wonderful band also known as Good Night Louise.