Jim Loftus: Home
*****WELCOME TO www.jimloftus.com*****
[ABOVE PHOTO: Jim appearing in scene in "ALL MY CHILDREN" Valentine's Day 2008; scroll down this page for details]
---JIM LOFTUS is a Pianist/Keyboardist/Singer/Composer AND SAG/AFTRA actor. This website features Jim's music AND acting news....
***NEW JIM LOFTUS VIDEO: Jim sings "ZIGGY STARDUST" with the Lou Franco Project at the Mayfair Festival of the Arts in Allentown PA Saturday night, May 24, 2008--click on YOU TUBE video below to view!
***THE JIM LOFTUS CD "THE FAME GAME"
(all original music--music & lyrics by Jim Loftus released Oct.2000) has been available on iTunes--click on link below:)
Jim's CD is also at up to 39 other digital distribuiton sites for download and purchase--one site which is very reasonable is:
http://payplay.fm/loftus
(88 cents per mp3, $8.88 for entire CD, and 77 cents for WMA version). What a convenient way to obtain music--no bulky CDs--if you are new to Jim's debut CD--discover the great tunes on "THE FAME GAME"--download to your mp3 player and go for a jog! Click on songs below to listen and BUY NOW!!***
....IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR POST A REVIEW!!:
++++++++++REST IN PEACE++++++++++++
**Jim would like you to keep the great film director/actor SYDNEY POLLACK in your prayers who passed away of stomach cancer in Los Angeles this past Memorial Day 2008. Jim had the honor of meeting and chatting with Mr. Pollack a few times when he stopped into DESTINO RESTAURANT in NYC where Jim played piano from April 2006 through January 2008. Click on the "JOURNAL" tab here for some of Jim's memories of Sydney Pollack and a very special moment where Jim played tribute to his film career "in song".
RECENT ACTOR HIGHLIGHTS:
***JUNE 5th: Jim is on the set of the FX series "IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA" shooting exterior scenes as a business man in Philly at the Swann Memorial Fountain in Logan Square(19th & the Parkway)(for pic go to: http://philadelphia.about.com/library/gallery/blparkway32.htm );Danny DeVito was also on set along with young costars; other shots with Jim as "casual dude on cell phone" were done outside of the Philadelphia Java Company Coffee Shop at 518 S. 4th Street--this show shoots primarily in LA but comes to Philly for a few weeks to shoot their exteriors for authenticity--so several episodes were shot this day--fun stuff!
***MAY 14th & 15th: Jim is on the set of film "THE REBOUND" starring Catherine Zeta-Jones. Filmed at the NY-1 News Studios(located at the famous Chelsea Market Building at 75 9th Avenue) to simulate the "Sports News Network"(or "SNN") the film is written and directed by Bart Freundlich(married to Julianne Moore). Jim plays one of the sports news office workers; Jim also was in a scene on the Staten Island Ferry w/Catherine! Look for film release in 2009...
**MAY 9: Jim is on the set of new film "HAPPY TEARS" starring Demi Moore and Parker Posey at 3rd and Cherry Streets in Old City Philly. Jim will be one of several "Art Gallery patrons" in the interior and exterior of the gallery at a wine reception party--look for this film in 2009....
**APRIL 25: Jim is on "Law & Order:SVU" set in Harlem from noon to 3am next day playing Deputy Inspector(police 'brass')for THE SEASON FINALE episode "COLD" which aired May 13th on NBC-TV;
*****FOR A PREVIEW OF THIS SHOW CLICK ON THE YOU TUBE VIDEO BELOW(pause the video 0:21 seconds into it and you will see Jim at the left of the screen with other Deputy Inspector "brass" officers facing Detective Stabler(Chris Meloni)--[note:there are a few rapid-fire edits at 0:21 so you'll have to be quick to pause it at just the right millisecond to catch the shot!]*****
**ALSO on April 25th, the film "BABY MAMA" is released starring Tina Fey and Greg Kinnear--though Jim does not appear in this film, he was Kinnear's "stand-in";
**Jim taped the 200th episode of "Law & Order:SVU" ('Authority')which aired April 29th on NBC-TV starring Robin Williams; Jim was in a scene early in the show on the phone in the precinct.
**APRIL 8: Jim plays book store customer in Jeff Daniels film "The Dream of the Romans" shooting in Philly--scroll down for details;
**MARCH 10: Jim shoots scene in NYC as Church Organist in Disney film "Confessions of a Shopaholic"(scroll down for details)....
...and now in reference to photo at top of this homepage:
*** Jim appears on "ALL MY CHILDREN" on ABC-TV February 14th & 15th in reunion scenes of "Jesse & Angie"--above photo from Feb.14 depicts Jim getting train ticket with "Jesse"(Darnell Williams")about to get his ticket; Tad Martin(Michael E. Knight)is seated in background(FOR MORE PHOTOS CLICK ON "Photo Gallery" HERE).
Fans of the show were treated to a very emotional reunion of these two integral and beloved characters from "All My Children's" past--"Jesse and Angie";
FOR MORE ABOUT THE "JESSE/ANGIE" STORYLINE GO TO:
http://abc.go.com/daytime/allmychildren/angiejesse.html
PHOTO ABOVE LEFT ON THIS HOMEPAGE: Jim relaxes playing piano after his 13 hour shoot on ALL MY CHILDREN...the shoot took place in New Hope PA at the New Hope Ivyland Train Station--Jim played a business commuter waiting for a train to NYC and was seen in a few scenes--LOOK FOR FULL STORY ABOUT JIM'S DAY BY CLICKING THE "JOURNAL" ENTRY HERE!!!
****AND VIEW JIM'S SCENES FROM THE FEBRUARY 14th &15th SHOW BELOW!!
The YOU TUBE link for Jim's first scene--where he is getting a ticket at the train station window just before Jesse gets his ticket--is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q2gIaUBLg0&feature=related
(you can see Jim at 1:35 to 1:53 into the video)
..AND YOU CAN CLICK ON THE YOU TUBE VIDEO BELOW TO SEE JIM"S FEBRUARY 15th SCENE...(you can see Jim from 1:46 to 2:20 into this video standing next to "Angie" on the train station platform!)
**the direct url at YOU TUBE for this video is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwNYYPWaZTc
*****************************************************
...more actor news!!:
JIM worked in Philadelphia(his hometown)on the new film "THE DREAM OF THE ROMANS" starring Jeff Daniels on Tuesday, April 8th--Jeff plays a reclusive author of spiritual books(one namely called "ME & GOD") and Jim was in a Philly bookstore along with costar Nora Dunn of SNL fame as one of several fans of "Jeff's" new book--Jeff's character "Arlen Faber" is in the store giving a long speech to his adoring fans...film will come out in 2009 -- look for a detailed "day on the set" SOON in the "JOURNAL" section here!!! ---ALSO!!!!:
JIM FEATURED AS 'CHURCH ORGANIST' IN FILM "CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC"
On Monday, March 10th, 2008, Jim shot a scene as a Church Organist in a Disney/Jerry Bruckheimer film to be released February 2009 entitled "Confessions of a Shopaholic".
Filmed at St. James Episocopal Church at 71st and Madison in NYC, Jim will be seen playing the pipe organ dressed in choirmaster garb on the altar of the church for the processional march scene of the bridal party and bride! The film, based on the Sophie Kinsella book series, stars Krysten Ritter(playing the bride "Suze"),Isla Fisher(playing the matron of honor "Rebecca Bloomwood")and Hugh Dancy(the groom). For more on the film check out http://buzzsugar.com/955601
Look for a story on Jim's day on the shoot coming soon in the JOURNAL part of this website!!
Hello everyone AND HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008!!! ! Welcome to my official site that shares my music and acting news with you... Click onto the "MP3 SAMPLES" to hear my original songs, and also A VIDEO of me playing a surprise birthday party at Landhaven Bed & Breakfast near Barto, PA on April 14, 2007--what a hoot! I hope you enjoy your stay.
****EXCITING UPDATES:
Jim played for famous actor/singer JIM DALE recently as he stopped into DESTINO RESTAURANT where Jim plays Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Dale is the voice of all the Harry Potter characters in all 8 films and the new "PUSHING DAISIES" ABC-TV show, along with being a Tony Award winning Broadway actor. Read all about it by clicking the "JOURNAL" tab here on Jim's website!
************************************************************
Jim was a"restaurant patron" on an episode of "30 ROCK" on NBC-TV which aired Thursday, December 13th at 9PM(starring Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin). Entitled "Episode 209--the Ludachristmas Party"--it is the annual Christmas Party for the families of "Liz and Jack"(Fey and Baldwin). Taped Thursday, November 1st at the Heartland Brewery & Chophouse at 127 W.43rd St. in Manhattan, the scenes star Fey, Baldwin,and guest stars Buck Henry, Elaine Stritch and Andy Richter as the visiting "family members". Jim sat at an adjacent table to the action.
SEX...SEX...SEX...SEX...SSHHHHHHH...
Get your attention? LOL...Jim spent 14 hours(9AM to 11PM) on the set of "SEX & THE CITY(the movie)on Monday November 26th at BUDDAKAN restaurant(www.buddakannyc.com)as a restaurant patron for a big scene where "Carrie and Mr.Big"(Sarah Jessica Parker and Chris Noth)arrive at a big festive dinner party thrown by their friends(including all main cast members from the HBO series)--Parker and Noth pass by Jim's table as they enter and then descend a huge staircase to the long table where they are greeted---(late in the shooting Chris Noth asked Jim how his dinner was--the snap peas, pine nuts and mushrooms that were piping hot and yummy at lunch looked ragged at 9:30PM so Jim quipped "Not bad after 15 hours"--Noth laughed and said "Mmmmm--wilted bean sprouts!")... more on this amazing upcoming film to be released May 30th, 2008 at
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1000774/
or http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sex_and_the_city_the_movie/
...also--just google "SEX & THE CITY:THE MOVIE" and you'll get more links then you can spend time reading...
...and suddenly this past summer....
JULY 18, 2007: Jim Loftus was the "Stand In" for actor GREG KINNEAR("Little Miss Sunshine", "Invincible","We Were Soldiers", "As Good As it Gets") on the film set of "BABY MAMA" in Philadelphia---scroll down this page to read more!****
Jim Loftus is the #1 BOOKED SOLO ARTIST AT GIGMASTERS.COM IN THE PA/NJ/DE/MD area(88 bookings). Whether you need piano and vocals, an organist/soloist for your ceremony, or a "one-man-band"(two keyboards & acoustic guitar)for a more festive event--Jim does it all.
To book YOUR function (wedding ceremony/reception/corporate event/house party--whatever!)click onto the GIGMASTERS LOGO below to visit Jim's press kit and booking page!
Booking Pianists Online Since 1997
**AND AS OF MAY 2008, JIM HAS JOINED ANOTHER ONLINE BOOKING SITE--GIGSALAD.COM--VIEW JIM'S WEBPAGE THERE BY CLICKING ON THE LOGO BELOW:
--------------------------------------------------------
Jim answered a Craigslist.org ad posted on that site by film maker Brandon Kaplan of Los Angeles on Monday, July 30th 2007 asking for a composer who can provide appropriate background music for a humorous Heinz Ketchup Commercial. He specified there was only 3 days left to meet a deadline for a nationwide contest sponsored by HEINZ to create the best commercial--Jim finished the music in less than an hour(it consists of a "rinky dink honky tonk" piano and ominous "JAWS-like" sounds for the "evil tomatoes")-- it was recorded at Dan McKinney's "Dan's House Studio" (http://www.danshousestudio.com/ )and sent via mp3 to Mr. Kaplan and the result is the You Tube video below--the entry is entitled "BAD TOMATOES--not at HEINZ!"...Heinz has reviewed over 4,000 video entries and chose the TOP 15 commercials which have been posted at www.topthistv.com as of AUGUST 27th. Though Brandon and Jim's commercial did not make "the cut" , the Top 15 can be voted on(by you) through September 10th(one vote per day)--the TOP 5 will be broadcast nationally(the winner will be broadcast September 16th on the Primetime "EMMY"S" show on FOX TV at 8PM)--the grand prize winner wins $57,000 (Heinz "57"), the 4 runnerups also get cash prizes($5,700)--again to vote and read more about the contest go to:
www.topthistv.com
TO VIEW THE DIRECT YOU TUBE WEBPAGE LINK FOR BRANDON & JIM'S COMMERCIAL GO TO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzVVjWsPKJg
...and view it RIGHT NOW here:
********************************************************
****************ARCHIVE NEWS*********************
*****JIM IS THE "STAND IN" FOR ACTOR GREG KINNEAR IN THE FILM "BABY MAMA"!!!*****
The film "Baby Mama"(just released April 25, 2008) which stars former Saturday Night Live "Weekend Update" anchors Tina Fey and Amy Poehler(Fey was also SNL head writer) along with Greg Kinnear and Sigourney Weaver, wrapped it's film production July 19th, 2007 in Philadelphia. JIM LOFTUS was called by Heery Casting in Philly to be the "stand in" for GREG KINNEAR for the July 18th shoot!
(A "Stand In" usually resembles the starring actor and helps the film crew establish their camera angles/lighting for each shot; they then step aside and allow the main actors to shoot the scene). To read all about Jim's exciting day on the set of "BABY MAMA" click onto the "JOURNAL" tab here at Jim's website!!
***JIM IS THE OPENING ACT FOR "SHAW-BLADES" AT CROCODILE ROCK CAFE ALLENTOWN!!!***
Jim Loftus added to his list of artists he has opened for on Friday night March 23rd,2007 --TOMMY SHAW(lead guitarist/singer with superband STYX and DAMN YANKEES) and JACK BLADES(bassist/guitarist/singer with NIGHT RANGER and DAMN YANKEES). Visit their site at www.shawblades.com. The duo reunited after a hiatus of several years and have recorded a great CD called "Influence", songs they cover from Simon & Garfunkel, Yes, Steely Dan, ELP, the Zombies, and more. Jim did a 40 minute set of cover songs and one original to get the crowd pumped up--read all about it by clicking the JOURNAL tab on Jim's site here!!
***JIM APPEARS ON "LAW & ORDER:SVU!***
--Jim appeared as a featured jury member on the "LAW & ORDER:SVU" episode "STRAIN" which reairs every 2-3 months on the USA Network.
****IT WILL RE-AIR MAY 1, 2008(at 8:00PM)and MAY 2,2008(at midnight--4 hours after the previous airing)on the USA NETWORK.****
Other recent airings of this episode occurred on February 22, 2008, November 27, 2007(two airings that day), September 28, June 11 and March 31 in 2007, Dec. 1, 2006 and also Oct. 1, 14, and 15 2006 also on USA.
This episode entitled "STRAIN" originally aired on Tuesday, October 18th, 2005 on NBC-TV. The show deals with a new deadly strain of the AIDS virus triggered by the drug "meth" and how it affected it's victims. Jim is featured prominently in an intense closeup shot when a hypothetical question is posed to Jim by the defense attorney(played by CCH Pounder) concerning whether he should use a gun to shoot "Osama Bin Laden"(jury scenes were in the last 15 minutes of the show). Click the "JOURNAL" link here to read about Jim's day on the set(shot May 31, 2005) of this award-winning show.
Jim has done FOUR episodes of "SVU"--"ROCKABYE" and "STORM" he is seen in the precinct as a clerical worker; and the most recent episode "GONE" (airdate Feb.28, 2006)unfortunately edited out his "Dad in the elevator"(along with many other fellow actors cameos--that's show biz!)******
JIM PLAYS PIANO AT DESTINO RESTAURANT IN NYC!!
Jim had played at DESTINO, 891 First Avenue(at 50th St., NYC)(http://www.destinony.com/) from April 5th, 2006 through January 2007; after a 10 month hiatus he returned playing various dates there weekly from November 2007 to February 2008. DESTINO has an upright piano in the bar area with a PA system for vocals. Due to recent economy woes affecting the restaurant, Jim will return to Destino hopefully in mid-to-late 2008....
....Stopping in on nights Jim had been playing there had been former co-owner of Destino Justin Timberlake with Cameron Diaz; Madonna and Leonardo DiCaprio, Woody Allen, Stephen Schirripa (Bobby Bacala on "THE SOPRANOS"), and former Yankee 2nd baseman Chuck Knoblauch. Film director Sydney Pollack had been in twice("The Interpreter", "The Way We Were", "Tootsie" and Oscar winning-"Out Of Africa"), on Sydney's most recent stop(August 17th, 2006)Jim played the themes of his first two films mentioned above...also celebrity chef Rocco Despirito of the former reality TV show "The Restaurant" stopped in and almost got up the nerve to sing with Jim..
**********************************************************
JIM MEETS AND PLAYS FOR MR. TONY BENNETT!!
On January 17th and 18th, 2006, legendary singer Tony Bennett, whom Frank Sinatra once stated was "the best pop singer in the world" stopped in to his neighborhood restaurant Nino's Tuscany where Jim was filling in for Irving Fields for 10 days(and played a regular Monday night there)..read all about it by clicking the "JOURNAL" tab above.
! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
JIM SINGS A DUET WITH SINGER/SONGWRITER LISA LOEB!!!
On Tues. nite, Oct.18th, 2005(the same nite Jim was on Law & Order:SVU), Jim went to see Lisa Loeb (www.lisaloeb.com)perform for a Katrina benefit at the Sterling Hotel in Allentown (opening acts were Lindsay Rush, friends Mike Rauscher & Sarah Ayers, and Alex Seier). Lisa called Jim to the stage when she overheard him singing a high harmony on her closing song of the nite, "I DO", and he performed it with her.
Go to the "Photo Gallery" here to see several photos of Jim and Lisa performing together, all taken by PAUL WILLISTEIN--who also wrote an article in the EAST PENN PRESS about Lisa and Jim--click on the "JOURNAL" tab above to read all about it.
! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Go to the "ORIGINAL CDs" section which has descriptions of and links to Jim's CDs "The Fame Game", "Rockuperation", and CD Single "A Little '60's Tune" which can all be listened to at those sites and purchased. In addition, click onto the "MP3 Samples" section here which has downloadable versions of Jim's songs with lyrics and notes on how the songs were written. ALSO, Jim's original musical GHOSTS ON BROADWAY is now available on DVD--it is the May 4, 1995 NYC production at the John Houseman Theatre--which he hope's to bring back in the near future in a bigger production in NYC--info on all this is at the "ORIGINAL CDs" section here.
Yet another of the 39 companies on the internet selling Jim's CD "THE FAME GAME":
***NEED A WEDDING DJ, PHOTOGRAPHER OR VIDEOGRAPHER? CLICK ON THE ICON BELOW:
www.AmericanDomestic.com Your source for Nannies, Sitters, Housekeepers.
www.BrandywineValleyResources.com Your Link to the Brandywine Valley.
*************************************************************