Bartolomeo Durante and Rosa Lentino, both from Salerno, came to New York in the 1870s and 80s, respectively. They had four children. Their youngest, James "Jimmy" Francis, was born on February 10, 1893. As soon as he could, their little boy pecked at the keys on any piano he came across. It was clear that he was a natural. By the time he was 16, Jimmy was playing in bars and clubs all around New York City.

By the late 1910s Jimmy had teamed up with entertainers Lou Clayton and Eddie Jackson. The three performed at various vaudeville shows and opened their own place, Club Durant, in 1919. They quickly made a name for themselves and were seen on Broadway and on the big screen in Show Girl, The New Yorkers, and Roadhouse Nights. After being approached for solo gigs Jimmy decided to go out on his own.

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