The music world is full of guitar playing, young, male singer/songwriters. But rarely does one get up onstage with as simple a grace, and as unassuming a charm, as James Adamo. From the first licks of his jazzy pop/rock to his captivating voice, a mixture of Jeff Buckley and Maroon 5's Adam Levine, you know you're in for a relaxing, grooving, sensual set. Those sets are happening with more frequency now in New York City, where James plays venues such as Rockwood Music Hall, the Triad, Arlene's Grocery, and Sin-E, impressing hard-edged New York fans with his nimble guitar work as much as his vocal honesty. Now at work on his debut solo EP with producer David Addario, James is toasting a new future as a songwriter, singer, and guitarist. Originally from Rochester, James started playing guitar at 15 and continued even while he studied Spanish at SUNY Potsdam. In 1997, he joined a boisterous jam band that eventually came to be known as Doctor Pocket, an incredibly popular band with college students and in the upstate NY arena. Playing guitar, singing, and acting as one of the main writers in the band, James helped bring Doctor Pocket success that included opening for the Derek Trucks Band, Jeff Healy, J. Giles, and the Samples. Through heavy touring, regional radio play, and tons of sales of their records (With Great Speed and Turn it Around), Doctor Pocket was honored with the SAMMY Award for Best Pop/Rock Band in Syracuse and also won various Syracuse Battle of the Bands. By 2003, however, Doctor Pocket disbanded and three of its members moved to New York City to pursue a recording contract not as a jam band, but as a pop/rock band...this time, with James taking on the lead vocal role. Although these new recordings caught the ears of top industry professionals, it was James' voice and fast-developing songwriting skills that interested them the most. In early 2006, James left this band to record and play solo. He also currently plays guitar for the smart and sassy Cassandra Kubinski and is co-writing with some of NYC's best, including Lorraine Ferro (Jessica Simpson, DOVE award winner), Janice Fitzgerald, and Angus Clark (TransSiberian Orchestra guitar hero). "I'm excited to be making music on my own terms now. I'm very happy," James says, adding that he's particularly interested in film/TV placements for his music. And as far as his new audience goes? "I just want people to be able to come out, sit, relax, enjoy a nice glass of wine, and listen to some great music." Cheers to that.