Glad you could make it here. I'm James Michael Hewitt, aka "Diamond Jim". I am a musician, primarily playing fiddle and mandolin, as well as an experienced recording and mixing audio engineer. I am originally from Tacoma, then from Colorado by way of a long residency in Tucson and Oracle, AZ. I am now located in Stoughton, Wisconsin near Madison.
I have always had a difficult time trying to classify my musical style by genre. It includes elements of bluegrass, Celtic, acoustic instrumentals, and some swing and other improvisational elements thrown in the mix. This hybrid style I call "barn jazz". Someone once said "Talking about music is like dancing about architecture". Better to listen and decide for yourself.
Almost 20 years ago, a local Tucson DJ at KXCI commented, “Diamond Jim Hewitt’s “Barn Jazz” is down-home sophistication, combining elements of jazz, Celtic and hoe-down into one sweet and sassy mix. The violin virtuoso goes back to the farm.” - Cactus Cathy. I like that description!
My current projects include composing and recording new music and instrumentals intended for film and TV sync placements, completing my Rivers of the Sea and Time CD, and doing sound FX for our local SVP community theater upcoming play.
I have played in many bands in Tucson, Grand Junction, and the Denver area, mainly as a lead sideman on violin. While in Tucson I received a TAMMIE (Tucson Area Music Award) in 1999 for Best String Player for my work with Thunderhead North and The Blue Prairie Dogs.
Barnjazz and HCE won an Impact Award from the Public Relations Society of America, Southern Arizona chapter, for its podcast, Discover the Copper Corridor. The video and audio production features narrative and visuals for the towns that make up the Copper Corridor region of southeast Arizona, with an emphasis on eco-tourism, history, and natural environment. I continue to work on new music videos featuring some of my more ambient instrumental works.
Having recently moved from Colorado, I am eagerly looking for new opportunities to play live, now that the Covid pandemic is winding down.
Please check out the tunes on this website and come back again as I will be adding more and more content. Click the button below for a more extensive story of Barn Jazz. And don't forget to sign up for my mailing list for insider information on new releases and giveaways!
