Jamie Mercanti (Slim Jim) – Managing Director
Jamie Mercanti (Slim Jim) has been involved in every genre of performance over a 30 year career in entertainment.
In 1972, Jamie was offered a scholarship from Trinity College to study classical and choral vocal training with St Mary's Cathedral Choir under the direction of internationally acclaimed organist and musical director, Annette Goerke. Jamie remained with St Mary's Cathedral Choir for 10 years and is the longest serving choir member in St Mary's Cathedral Choir history.
In 1981, Jamie began studying Journalism and Theatre Arts (Bachelor of Arts - English) at the Western Australian Institute of Technology (now Curtin University). Over the next 4 years, Jamie's passion for "live" performance and music saw him perform and produce in excess of 40 plays and musicals including A MAD, MAD WORLD MY MASTERS, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, YERMA, OLD FLAMES, LYSISTRATA, A COMEDY OF ERRORS, MOTHER GOOSE, GRANNY GET YOUR GUN and GUYS & DOLLS.
After completing the course in 1984, Jamie focused on a career in acting where he performed in major productions of SOUTH PACIFIC, TOAD OF TOAD HALL, ANNIE, FLAPPERS BROADWAY BABYLON OR BUST, THE SENSATIONAL 60s and GODSPELL. As well as appearances in the highly acclaimed television mini–series - A FORTUNATE LIFE and THE CHALLENGE.
At the completion of the production of Godspell in February 1986, Jamie saw the necessity to incorporate his passion for acting with his consistent love of music.
With the collaboration and vision of Stephen Bloxham and Victor Petroff, Slim Jim & the FATTS Band (featuring Samantha Legge – vocals; Marina Spadaccini – vocals; John Di Carlo – drums and vocals; Paul Neaves – bass and vocals; Stephen Prescott - guitar, trombone, keyboards, bass, drums and vocals; Stephen Bloxham – trumpet, keyboards and vocals and Victor Petroff – tenor sax and vocals) debuted in mid June 1986 at the Chevron Nightclub (North Perth).
Over the next twenty-two years, Slim Jim & the FATTS Band/ Slim Jim & the PHATTS performed in excess of 5,500 gigs and held long term residencies at venues like the Silver Slipper (Nedlands), the Ocean Beach Hotel (Cottesloe), the Brewery Alehouse (Nedlands), the Newport Hotel (Fremantle), the Coronado Hotel (Nedlands), Plaistowes Bar (West Perth), the Raffles Hotel (Applecross), the Breakwater Tavern (Hillarys), the Bog (Northbridge & Fremantle), Cargo's Nightclub (Fremantle), the Boulevard Alehouse / Babylon (Victoria Park) and the Deen (Northbridge).
Whilst performing in excess of 325 gigs per year with Slim Jim & the FATTS Band from 1986-1996, Jamie became a committee member for the Western Australian Rock Music Industry Association (WARMIA), The Cancer Foundation of WA (Relay for Life) and the Events Industry Association (EIA).
Jamie has been supporting Telethon since 1986 and has been co producing the 25 hour telecast for the past 10 years.
Between 1999-2001, Jamie was co producer and musical coordinator for Basil's Footy Show (Channel 7) which attracted in excess of 300, 000 viewers per week. Jamie's involvement in the media has extended to appearances on Channel 7, Channel 9, Channel 10, SBS TV, Access 31, GWN, 96fm, 92.9fm, 6PR and RED FM.
Jamie has performed for almost every major sporting organisation in Western Australia including the West Coast Eagles Football Club, the Fremantle Football Club, Perth Glory, the Perth Wildcats, the Western Reds, the Perth Heat, the Wallabies, Telstra Rally Australia, the BMX World Championships, the Lord Mayors Rowing Regatta, the Western Australian Football League and many more.
From 2002 - 2007, Jamie was employed as the On Ground Announcer for the West Coast Eagles Football Club and was a special guest performer for the Fremantle Football Club between 1995 - 2001.
Jamie is currently the On Ground Announcer for the Perth Glory.
Since 2005, Jamie has been the featured talent for the Sound Centre Music Gallery's television and radio promotions.
In recent years, Jamie has returned to acting with appearances in two Western Australian feature films - "Aussie Park Boys" (starring Nunzio La Bianca) and "The Bouncer" (starring John Waters).
Jamie worked as an Assistant Director on Rai Fazio's "Two Fists One Heart" which is due for release in 2008.
Over a 30 year career, Jamie has worked as a singer (from classical and opera to jazz and rock), actor (from musicals to Shakespeare), presenter (for television, radio and sport), musical director (from theatre to television), television producer, theatre director, actor (from theatre to feature length movies), tour manager, event coordinator, an entertainment manager and booking agent (with West Oz Entertainment and Allstar Booking Services/ Rock Exchange).
Jamie Mercanti's reputation in the Western Australian entertainment industry is synonymous with professionalism, versatility and enthusiasm.