Jim Bianco

In 2014, Bianco formed his 12 piece band Forniquette. Bianco describes their sound as "modern brothel music." The members of Forniquette are Jim Bianco (Vocals), Alex Budman (Clarinet/Tenor), Jon Flower (Bass), Jordan Katz (trumpet), Phil Krohnengold (Accordion), Elizabeth Lea (Trombone), Danny Levin (Trumpet), Chris Lovejoy (Percussion), Nick Mancini (Vibes), David Moyer (Baritone Sax), Jason Pipkin (drums), David Ralicke (Trombone).

Prior to restructuring the CDBaby Top Sellers format in July 2009, three of Bianco's albums were ranked among the top 50 best sellers in the following categories:

On March 4, 2008, Bianco's album “Sing” was the first album released on the Hotel Café Records label. Bianco has said that most of the songs on the album had been composed on the piano in the back room at the Hotel Café after regular club hours.

Cary Brothers is credited for initiating and producing the Hotel Cafe Tour that began in 2005. Bianco has been included in the roster of headlining performers on the tour since its inception. He is one of the few of the Hotel Café artists that has participated in both the US and European legs of the tour. Other notable artists that have participated in this event are: Jessie Baylin, Sara Bareilles, Cary Brothers, Holly Conlan, William Fitzsimmons, Greg Laswell, Imogen Heap, Gary Jules, Tom McRae, Mandy Moore, Ingrid Michaelson, Meiko, Alexi Murdoch, Jay Nash, Katy Perry, Joe Purdy, Joshua Radin, Buddy, KT Tunstall, Butch Walker, The Weepies, Dan Wilson, Brian Wright and Rachael Yamagata.

Bianco's full band was established by 2003. The first official member to join the band was drummer, Jason Pipkin. Bianco met Pipkin at a gig the day that Pipkin arrived in California from Texas. Bianco asked Kenny Lyon (then just a friend) to suggest a bass player and was introduced to Josef Zimmerman. Bianco began looking for a saxophone player and Zimmerman suggested Matt DeMerritt. After seeing Bianco's show, multi-instrumentalist Brad Gordon joined the crew offering to play keyboard, trumpet, clarinet and accordion. After seeing Bianco's show at The Mint in Los Angeles, Kenny Lyon decided to join the band.

In 2002, Keiji Matsumoto, a Japanese independent record store owner, discovered “Well Within Reason” online and contacted Bianco about selling the album in his store Café Goattee. The album sold out quickly and with the release of “Handsome Devil” in 2004, Matsumoto booked Bianco on a tour across Japan in February 2005. Accompanied by Brad Gordon and Jason Pipkin, Bianco played all over the country. In 2006, Bianco released his album "Steady" in Japan. Bianco, again with Brad Gordon and Jason Pipkin, toured Japan in April 2006 and returned for their third tour in June 2009. In April 2010, Bianco returned to Japan for an acoustic tour, playing six shows in five cities. In March 2012, Bianco returned to Japan for a seven city tour with Gary Jules.

After graduation, Bianco spent time in Europe. Upon returning to the United States, a friend from college invited Bianco to Los Angeles, California to play in his band. Bianco moved to Los Angeles in the spring of 2000. He played bass and wrote songs with the group until they disbanded. Bianco decided to learn to play the guitar, refine his singing skills and set about assembling a band of his own. He rented a room in West Los Angeles for $80 a month and practiced until he felt comfortable sharing his music. He began attending open mic nights around Los Angeles, performing at least three nights a week. One evening he attended a songwriter night at a small coffee shop in Hollywood called the Hotel Café. Soon after, Bianco was invited to open for Gary Jules.

The Hotel Café has grown from a small coffee shop into what is now considered one of the finest venues in Los Angeles. The Hotel Café has been credited for the renaissance of the Los Angeles singer/songwriter movement that began in the early 2000s. Initiated by Gary Jules’ idea of creating a supportive space for artists to hone their craft, coupled with appropriate timing and genuine need, musicians began gravitating to the Hotel Café. In a cooperative effort, Bianco, along with fellow musicians Gary Jules, Cary Brothers and owners Marko Schafer and Max Mamikunian, worked together to transform the space, book, promote and perform shows. Their efforts received a big promotional push from legendary KCRW music director Nic Harcourt. Today, the Hotel Café is considered one of the best venues in Los Angeles, noted for the superior sound, intimate setting and quality of the acts that perform on the bill.

Jim Bianco (born March 25, 1976) is an independent musician, singer, songwriter and producer based in Los Angeles, California.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, on March 25, 1976, Bianco is the youngest child of James Bianco, Jr. and Jane (née Levy) Bianco. The family, which also includes one older sister, moved from Brooklyn to Long Island, New York. According to his biography, in 1979 Bianco's father traded two 35 pound barbells and a bench press for the first upright piano in the Bianco home. As a youth, Bianco studied piano and played bass guitar in local bands. Bianco graduated from high school in 1994 and from college in 1998.