MIKE JIMENEZ and The Power Project:
Mike has been a vocalist since the ripe age of 7 years old .His father Robert Jimenez gave him a bribe of $ 5.00 to learn a Johnny Nash tune and an alternate 2nd tune by the beatles! he'd get the 5 bucks if he'd perform those songs with his uncle Lil Ray & The Pergressions band (a popular mid 60's group) in the Los Angeles area.So he did! back in the day $5.00 could buy a lot of candy...being around his uncle Lil Rays' rehearsals he came to love music and understand the meaning of putting different instruments together to create beautiful music.He started playing Guitar at the age of 8 then at 12 keys, Drums,Bass and at 13 he played Trombone for 2 years. Right about this time he started trying out his vocal skills which needed to be honed but the talent was there.He then started a group by the name of (Funkystuff) where he played keys and sang which lasted about 8 months he formed the band with nothing but older players, ooh! guys 16-19 who couldn't see this 13 yr old kid telling them how to play and what to do and when to break down etc.They then voted him out.He took this very hard since all he wanted to do was have a young band that could sound better then the older groups that had all the gigs and popularity . He then got asked to join an established Latin/Rock band where he learned how to speak spanish and rock out with some LedZepplin,Aerosmith,Bad Co,Black Sabbath ETC.The group had management,great equipment and plenty of work!and most of all they could play!!! He worked with that group as the lead singer for about 1 1/2 yr.s which was great training for him vocally.The name of the group was (EKO) At age 14 1/2 he formed a band called (Nice N' Easy) they were young, energetic & were considered all to be good looking .They had a large female audience, and they're musicianship was of a higher standard for their age.The oldest 17 and the youngest Mike 14 1/2 all could read and blow many of their elder competition away .They worked a lot and won many battle of the bands throughout California. Mike Jimenez had now become a well known vocalist and in his own right one of the best locally and abroad. He then recruited his sister 2 years later who had been traveling singing all over the world. They blended really well ,same texture of voice and were one of L.A's tightest Duets!They started recording and getting interest from different record companies and things were looking very promising. At that time Mike was 17 1/2 or so and eager to hit the big time he couldn't wait and that year before his 18th Birthday he was asked to join a local LA group by the name of (TIERRA)They had a record that was getting air play in the L.A area & before u knew it the record took off and so did Mike the song was called (Together). He stood with the band for about 4 years left and came back several times worked with other successful groups such as WAR for a small stint,recorded with Sheila E. in Oakland an original project & El Chicano Live shows. Now he concentrates on his solo projects which he calls:
Mike Jimenez & The Power Project!
Mike has sung on many National commercials for Coke,TacoBell,Coors,Bud,Budlight,Miller Beers,McDonalds,CarlsJr,Gatorade,
Northwest Airlines,Greyhound Bus spots, Movie sound tracks and records dates ETC..He has also worked with (Latin sensation) Marc Anthony. His singing with these groups has gained him the experience to play and mold his unique sound. Mike Jimenez was influenced by many of the strong R/B Soul groups and vocalists. Listening and learning from artist such as Luther, EWF, Donny Hathaway, Peabo Bryson, Howard Hewitt and many others he has developed his on style of soul. He and his group have many musical influences: Funk, Soul Latino, Salsa, Fusion jazz, R/B, hard hitting and driving with an old school feel. His CD's are a combo of all those great sounds. His focus is to continue writing and singing his original materials. Mike Jimenez has also been a featured singer on Susie Hansen's' CD, entitled Solo Flight. She is one of L.A.'s hottest Latin jazz violinists. He sings three songs on her CD which can be heard at www. susiehansen.com. His new CD features his talented sister
Barbara Jimenez in a remake of a Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes song entitled (Hope that we can be together soon) and others... We hope you enjoy this wonderful Talent and Thank you for your musical support.
You can purchase Cd's from Cdbaby.com Tower records.com,Best buy.com,Soundsof Music ELA ,Ca store and Norwalk Records,Norwalk ,Ca