Jim Moffatt

Jim Moffatt After growing up on the streets of Chatham Ontario, attending high school and finishing with no fixed address, attending numerous universities in both the US and Canada with a goal of football and wrestling, being a Zodiac pilot for Greenpeace “Save the Whales” and a short term in a Newfoundland jail for anti-sealing protests, Jim turned his attention to playing music.

With his first test being in Calgary Alberta at the 1st Studio 1/ Keen Craft (Long and Mcquade) music award he walked away with top prize as a member of the duo “Bow River Lumber Company.” This was not a small feat as names such as Jan Arden, Oliver Krall, Scott Parsons and Jenny Allen were also on the program.

(Hi; Jim here….I bet you’re thinking “If this guy’s so great why have I never heard of him?” That’s simple. You never heard of me because just as I was starting to “make it” I went through a relationship loss, and I broke. Plain and simple. I sold all my gear and tried to quit the business. Did too for about 10 years. But as a friend of mine from the Nanaimo Folk club said “The big dog is back.” That’s all I want to say on the matter. I know some will think its not cool to bring it up but one thing I have learned is when there is a giant elephant in the room and nobody talks about it, it only get bigger. If you want to know more, ask me. Now, back to the important stuff.)

Jim has opened for Utah Phillips, Rosalie Sorrels, Connie Calder, Michael Lewis, and Scott Parsons, to name a few. His style and musical influences include such all-time-greats as Stan Rogers, Harry Chapin, Chris De Berg, John Prine, and James Taylor.

Jim’s been around folk festivals, having played the Home County Festival in London Ontario, Blackfalds Folk Festival in Alberta and Vancouver Island Folk Festival and others. He has played universities from Windsor to Ottawa, from London to Thunder Bay to Calgary. He has been featured in L.A. at the Pier 1 Show, and was a band member with groups such as Hero, Panic and The Bow River Lumber Company. His first love has always been a singer-songwriter writing music to bring images to his listeners’ minds.

Jim also is a believer in social media and has a fan list of 350. His FaceBook profile has over 1600 fans and grows every day. This has all happened since December last year. ReverbNation lists Jim as number 2 in Victoria BC, 25th Nationally and 296th Globally in the Folk Listings. Not bad for a songwriter who only started to pursue the rankings less than a year ago.

Recently, Jim has been instrumental in creating and hosting the “Art of the Song” songwriters’ group in Victoria, BC. Jim is also a member of the Canadian Song Writer’s Association (SAC), SOCAN, BCCMA, and VFMA.

Jim is now playing both solo and as a duo with Mike Sampson. As a duo think “Jim Croce meets Godzilla. Beautiful guitars, full wonderful vocals and just a touch of the monster to keep it interesting.” When solo, he’s all Jim Moffatt.

Press

"Rosalie Sorrels and Utah Phillips join Victoria songwriter Jim Moffatt at the Crystal Gardens in concert. That should be the highlight of this summers local folk music offerings...Don't miss it. Highest recommendation"..... Joseph Black - Times Colonist

"Another crowd-pleasing night by Jim Moffatt, From poignant to passionate, Jim's well-crafted ballads and soulful delivery moved the audience seamlessly through a range of emotions. Jim could make any venue feel as intimate as a kitchen party. Thanks, so much! -Patty Victoria Folk Music Society" ..... Patty Castle - VFMS

"My very highest kudos’s go to the fantastic performance of Jim Moffatt. We first had Jim to open stage at The Acoustic Café about 2 years ago. He blew us all away ! ....." Tony Hooper - The Acoustic Café.com

" He was called back for encores. Generally the crowd is tolerant of the opening act but eager for the main menu. MOFFATT'S MUSIC MADE THEM WANT MORE" ..... Entertainment Editor - Citizen

"...This guy can really play and sing" ..... Utah Phillips - Jim Moffatt Live at Crystal Gardens

"...Victoria based Jim Moffatt opens this highly recommended benefit concert for the Victoria Folk Music Society tonight at the Crystal Gardens. Be There." ..... Joseph Blake - BackBeat

"Nice Job Jim" ..... John Gogo - EVENING WITHOUT STAN ROGERS

"Jim Moffatt was the feature performer. What a treat!! Jim's voice complemented his talent as a song writer ,both in the words and the melody. They are tied together with his superb guitar playing style. Jim is one of Victoria's hidden treasures and his performance is well worth seeing." ..... Neil Russell - CelticCrossInstruments.com

" Just wanted to let you know you and Mike sounded great at the club last night. The two of you really seem to gel together, and the performance was pretty flawless while still feeling relaxed." ..... Peter Burnette editor VFMS newsletter - email

"Moffatt is no musical slouch... Moffatt has appeared at many folksy hot-spots, He has also hosted open mike nights at PLUTO'S and donated his performances at charitable events ranging from the Jaycees annual carnival to the Christian Businessman's Dinner" ..... Entertainment - CoverSTORY

"He struck the right chord. Jimmy is always welcome here! It's a lose for Calgary. But great for Victoria" ..... Gary Bernamuff - Delectable Delights Promo

"Jim...To simply walk in, tune up and play live to tape is a rare happenings in the recording industry." ..... John Ellis - Unicorn Productions & Rainbow Melodeon Recording

"Jim Moffatt is more than an enjoyable listening experience. Jim has performed in many different venues and I have been there to see the positive response he elicits from an audience through music...I have high esteem for Jim Moffatt " ..... Scott Parsons - Reference Letter

"Jim has a great voice and is a strong and adept guitar player" He has a way of connecting to an audience that is fun and powerful ..... Rick Norden/Joanne Campbell - Deep Cove Folk #18