Profiles
Jim Gilstrap
Born in Pittsburgh, Texas, Jim grew up listening to R&B and Blues, idolizing Bobby "Blue" Bland. After his family moved to California, Gilstrap set about pursuing a career in music. He successfully
auditioned to join the Doodletown Pipers as a vocalist and soon moved on to a more soulful unit called the Cultures, who offered background support to established pop and soul artists.
Jim first honed his vocals behind such luminaries as The Temptations, Streisand and Rod Stewart. While doing session work for top producers like Quincy Jones, Jim met his idol, Stevie Wonder, which led to his tenure with Stevie’s “Wonderlove” backing group. Among the many gold and platinum albums now hanging on his wall, is one given to him by Wonder for his vocal work on “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life.”
Other highlights of Jim’s illustrious career includes his Top 10 solo hit, “Swing Your Daddy,” as well as being featured on numerous soundtracks for hit movies such as John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John’s “Grease,” “The Matrix” and “The Matrix: Reloaded”, and “Rocky.” He is featured on theme songs from many popular TV shows including animated favorites “Tailspin” and “Dinosaurs.”
His voice is immediately recognizable in the now-familiar strains of “Good Times’”…. "Temporary Layoffs; Scratchin’ and surviving; Ain’t we lucky we got ‘em. Good Times!”
Among the projects that Jim is most proud of is his work alongside THE LATE, GREAT MICHAEL JACKSON on "OFF THE WALL" and "THRILLER" - the biggest selling album of all-time. Jim has also worked with many Smooth Jazz artists including Ramsey Lewis and his friend Dave Koz.
Now, with Tour De 4Force, Jim has joined forces with longtime friends, SCHERRIE PAYNE, JOYCE & PAM VINCENT and THERESA DAVIS to begin a new and exciting adventure in Smooth Jazz. With their freshman CD, "QUIET MOON," Jim’s firm rhythmic foundations mesh with their captivating, melodic sequential patterns. He uses those patterns to embellish a robust style that only experience can render. He brings the listener to the genesis of his roots on the group’s songs, such as “We’ve Got Love." Jim also shows his flair for writing on his self-penned "Four Walls," which features his good friend, former TEMPTATIONS' lead-singer, ALI OLLIE WOODSON stepping in to make a guest appearance with the group.
Jim also wrote, produced and sings on 3 songs on Little Anthony & The Imperials latest CD, "You'll Never Know."