Jamie Tobitt: From Swing Music to Saving the World

From a Laundromat to the Limelight

“Let’s start at the beginning,” I prompted Jamie. “How did you get involved in the Swing revival?”

Jamie replied. “Around 1995, I was playing part-time for a bluesy party band in San Diego. My sister, Molly, started going to The Derby in Hollywood and sent me tapes of Brian Setzer Orchestra and Royal Crown Revue. I was hooked immediately—the sound, the energy—and especially the trumpets, which you didn’t hear much in blues bands.”

That inspiration led Jamie to a want-ad in the San Diego Weekly Reader, calling for musicians to form a swing band. “We held rehearsals in a laundromat owned by the dad of our bandleader, Warren Lovell. It was chaotic and beautiful,” he said. “Dancers would show up to rehearse alongside us. The raw, unfiltered energy of those early days set the tone for everything we did.”

The Stage, the Lights, the Groove

When I asked Jamie about his favorite memories from performing, he shared: “There’s an image I’ll never forget,” he said. “The glow of the stage lights on the bell of my trumpet, the band locking into its groove, and the dancers filling the floor. It was pure joy.”

But Jamie’s first live performance at The Casbah in San Diego was anything but smooth. “It was February 3rd, 1996,” he recalled. “We were nervous as hell, and the room was filled with smoke. There were missteps, sure, but the energy was electric.”

“I have an image that’s an accumulation of hundreds of shows from my unique perspective on the stage. The entire band is in its groove, seeing the bell of my trumpet in front of me with colored stage lights shining off the silver, the darkness of the hall, and then the dancers on the crowded floor. That was always a special moment. I loved and appreciated my unique perspective of the performance and the audience.”

Back then, the room’s smoky haze was a reminder of when indoor smoking was still the norm—adding an atmospheric layer to an already unforgettable night. “If I could go back, I’d tell myself, ‘The people throwing shade are just jealous. Screw them. Have fun, Kid.’”

Swinging Through Connections

Jamie reflected on how connections and relationships shaped his journey. “Swing wasn’t just about the music,” he explained. “It was about relationships. You didn’t need cheesy pick-up lines; you just asked someone to dance. That’s how I met my wife. We still go out and dance from time to time.”

One connection Jamie holds close is with a long-time San Diego performer who played a pivotal role in Big Time Operator’s success. “BTO got lucky to become associated with a long-time performer in San Diego, Ms. Donna Cote, who helped finance our albums. She played in piano bars for decades from the top of the El Cortez to the Red Fox Room to Tom Ham’s Lighthouse in San Diego. She would be the first to admit she doesn’t have a singing voice, yet she was an entertainer. She could play a song and sing along in her raspy voice, and the way she told the story could make you feel it. She taught me the difference between being a musician and an entertainer.”

“I reminded myself that when the Rolling Stones play “Honky Tonk Woman” they may very well be sick to death of it but you couldn’t tell by the way they perform it show after show. Again, that’s the difference between being a musician and an entertainer.”

Jamie’s backstage stories are equally vibrant. “We once opened for The Big 6 at The Casbah, and their drummer, Rickey Lee Brawn, had played in Absolute Beginners with David Bowie. Sharing a drink with him and hearing about his struggles as a musician opened my eyes to the realities of the industry,” he shared.

Another unforgettable moment? “We played at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, and after one of our sets, I realized David Cassidy was sitting with us. I had a drink with David Cassidy at 2 a.m. It was surreal.”

Jamie’s performances also connected him with dozens of other celebrities and icons of the era, including some of the biggest Hollywood names of the 1990s: Bruce Willis, Bill Maher, Martin Sheen, Keanu Reeves, Brian Setzer, Geena Davis, and Merv Griffin. These encounters weren’t just isolated moments—they were a testament to how far-reaching and vibrant the Swing revival truly was. It wasn’t just a niche group of dancers; it was something bigger than all of us.

The Music and the Trumpet

Jamie believes swing music is best experienced live. “There’s a richness to the tones—especially from a trumpet—that recordings can’t capture. Songs like ‘Jump Jive and Wail’ and ‘Sing Sing Sing’ always connected with audiences. Even songs I thought were overplayed, like ‘In the Mood,’ had a way of coming alive on stage. That’s the difference between being a musician and an entertainer—you give the audience everything, every time.”

He reminisced about the joy of performing as part of a larger ensemble. “When the entire band locked into its groove, it was magical. You could feel the music radiating out and coming alive through the dancers on the floor. That energy was what made live performances so special, for both the audience and for me as a trumpeter.”

“In the late 1970s, the Blues Brothers filled the gap between the end of disco and the start of the early punk and new wave. I think the neo-swing movement did the same thing.”

Jamie also reflected on the community aspect of live swing music. “The audience played as much of a role in the show as we did. Seeing people dressed to the nines, dancing with complete abandon, and losing themselves in the music—it created a shared moment that couldn’t be recreated anywhere else. That’s what made it unforgettable.”

From Swing to Saving Lives

After stepping away from Big Time Operator, Jamie transitioned into biotech as a Medical Science Liaison (MSL), a role focused on research and educating physicians about complex drugs. “As an MSL, my job is to know everything about a specific drug and help physicians understand how to best use it to help their patients,” he explained.

“I work in the science and research branch of a biotech company (not sales), helping the physicians to really understand the nuances of these complicated drugs so they can better help their patients.”

Reflecting on his career, Jamie shared his passion for this role: “I’ve worked as an MSL in areas such as HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, Cystic Fibrosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Sickle Cell Anemia, and macular degeneration. I love it and cannot see myself going back to traditional pharmacy work.”

While the leap from swing to science might seem unusual, Jamie sees both careers as ways to connect with others. “Performing with BTO taught me how to engage with an audience, which I bring into my scientific presentations. Whether it’s music or medicine, the goal is the same: connect with people and leave an impact.”

Legacy and Reflection

“Why did you step away from music?” I asked.

Jamie reflected. “I stepped away because I needed to provide for my family. Playing trumpet was just one part of my life, and I was lucky to connect with a band that found modest success during a special moment in time. I saw an opportunity and took it, but I could have easily said, ‘No, this is not following the plan. I’m supposed to be a pharmacist and that’s it.’ Instead, I allowed myself to explore and embrace that chapter of my life.”

As he looked back on his journey, Jamie turned to the legacy he hopes to leave for his kids. “I’ve had the privilege of playing with some of the most talented musicians out there, and their dedication to their craft is awe-inspiring. There are even the extreme cases—like child prodigies whose entire lives revolve around one skill. It’s amazing what they achieve, but it’s not the path I wanted for myself or my family.”

“Swing music taught me how to connect with people in a way that resonates beyond the stage. That same mindset—of creating something meaningful for the audience—is what I hope to pass on to my kids. Whether in music, science, or anything else, it’s about finding fulfillment and leaving an impact.”

For Jamie, the lesson is clear. “I want my kids to know it’s okay to try different things, to embrace opportunities, and to find fulfillment in more than one pursuit. Life is about balance, exploration, and embracing the opportunities to try new things. That’s what really matters.”

Final Thoughts

Looking at Jamie’s journey, it’s clear that his life has been a symphony of balance and reinvention. From the smoky glow of swing dance halls to the sterile precision of labs, Jamie has found harmony in the unexpected transitions. His ability to connect with people—whether through music or science—demonstrates that fulfillment doesn’t come from a single pursuit but from the willingness to embrace life’s many rhythms.

Jamie’s story is more than a tale of reinvention; it’s a testament to the power of adaptability and purpose. By following his passions, he’s left an indelible mark—on stages, in lives, and in the hearts of those lucky enough to know him. His message is as clear as the sound of his trumpet: Find what brings you joy, follow where it leads, and create a legacy that resonates far beyond yourself.