1/15/12
2011 was tumultuous but sometimes that's what's needed to kick start beauty. Nuff said. Time to.........Rise!!!!!! A track from my latest project. Take a listen and you'll see where I'm at. I hope to see you around soon!!
6/16/11
I just finished a 10 week class at the Jazz School in Berkeley (see details in the post dated 4/21) It was a fabulous class and Glenn Richmann is also a fabulous teacher. Reading music nearly every day for a month and a half has been great for my musical mental state as well as confidence. I'm gonna study privately with Glen over the summer since the summer session class won't fit into my schedule. Speaking of this summer I have a few fun things in store....
First of all, my beloved A Band Called Pain will be performing for the first time in over a year on July 9th (see gig page) However, I'm pretty sure that this will be the bands swan song. Music biz and band politics have brought this once glorious project to a screeching halt and it's definitely a bit sad. We had a good run but its time to move on. Which I'll be doing in the form of BIZARRO!! A totally ripping project that consist of me, the original drummer from A Band Called Pain, Tony Providence and one of the Bay Area's legendary shredders, Glen Alvelais of Testament and Forbidden fame. This group is gonna be crazy fierce!
Also on the horizon is the High Sierra Music Festival. I'll be part of the work crew for the entire thing which will be tiring but fun. If you have to work, at least being around good music is a bonus. Hopefully, this year I'll be able to take a break in the action and do another gig atop a winnebago with Sean Leahy's group like I did a couple of years back. That was an experience for sure! Speaking of Sean Leahy, we'll be doing a more conventional gig later in the summer on August 5th and one of San Francisco's most famous venues, The Great American Music Hall. It's been quite a while since I performed there and am really looking forward to it.
That's the what what folks and I'll see you in the mix.
5/15/2011
Had a gig with Emily Zuzik last Friday night and all I can say it that she kicks ass for real. She's a great performer and hustler. She's
one to watch for sure so check her out. Also, getting to learn sick NYC session bassist Tim Lefebvre's lines for the gig was a great learning experience. Peep him as well.
4/21/2011
Has it really been almost 3 months since I've written....DANG! What's been happening.....on the gig front not much really, although I do have a gig coming up with the completely kick ass Emily Zuzik on May 13th in San Francisco. It also looks like A Band Called Pain will dust off the cobwebs and do a couple of gigs in July. Stay tuned!
Although I haven't been gigging, I've certainly been learning. I'm in class at the Jazz School in Berkeley, doing some long overdue grinding. Getting my reading and technique together under the tutelage of Glen Richman, who is a wonderful instructor. The work is challenging for sure, but its gonna be crazy rewarding and I'm sticking with it!
What else? Oh yes, as some of you may know, my girlfriend, Ashling "Biscuit" Cole is a member of the legendary bassist, Larry Grahams group - Graham Central Station, who just did a set of ripping shows in San Fran at Yoshis a couple of weeks back. If you missed them, too bad for you! My relationship with Ashling has afforded me quite the unique look at the world of the musical icon known as Larry Graham and an article about this glimpse, penned by yours truly is in the works. It's gonna be sweet fo sho.
Speaking of bass and thangs I'll be taking delivery of 2 basses within the next month that should propel me to amazing heights, tonally speaking. A 4 string USA Fender Jazz and a Mike Lull 5 string banger. I'm broke, but I"m gonna be sounding great!
That's the deal, that's what's up, til soon mis amigos......
1/30/2011
Interview I did on The Upstroke Radio show, www.fccfreeradio.com. I was a guest host with the amazing comedian W.Kamau Bell, check it out. If you don't know about W. Kamau Bell you need to get hip to this Brother. One of the smartest, perceptive and funniest comedians I've come across in a long time!
1/19/2011
NAMM was once again quite the crazy time, full on geek overload mixed with some personal interaction with heroes. Gear wise I saw a ton of goodies I couldn't really try because I'm a lefty....dammit! However, I was able to put in some work on a fabulous bass from Wyn Guitars. This bass was as exotic and fat as you could want. It making rave reviews in the gospel world in particular. I also made my way to Mike Lull to meet him in person, since I have one of his basses on order which will be here sometime in March. I can't wait. Mike is an outstanding bass builder and a really nice guy to boot. I also made an appearance at Spector Basses for their first annual NAMM meet and greet. I was there with other endorsees such as Rex Brown, Doug Wimbish and Robbie Merrill. I've met Doug before but it was great to meet Robbie and Rex, especially Rex because I'm a HUGE Pantera fan. Oh yes, I almost forgot, I got in the Warwick back room for an intimate encounter with Larry Graham, Bootsy Collins and Verdine White. I have my girlfriend to thank for this, Ashling "Biscuit" Cole who sings in Graham Central Station. Thanks sugar!
I could go on and on but the best thing about NAMM is realizing what an amazing fraternity we musicians belong to. It's a tiring, yet oh so reinvigorating time with peers, that lets me know that we matter, and that our place in the world is essential. Cheers to all of us and may we have a bountiful and love filled 2011.
1/12/11
Last year on this date, the Bay Area and beyond lost of its brightest young stars to senseless violence. Dewey Tucker, by age 24 had already secured gigs with heavyweights Lauren Hill and the Coup. He was also known to all as one of the next great bassists that would emerge from the Bay Area. His talent and charisma were undeniable. I didn't know Dewey that well but these traits were obvious, even in only a few brief encounters. Dewey was gunned down in a case of mistaken identity by gang members on his way home from church rehearsal. Strangely enough, one year to the date of his murder, police arrested 4 suspects in the case. So sad all around. The effects of violence are exponential and lives upon lives are ruined, potential unfulfilled. The victims, perpetrators and all those close to them lose horribly in these situation. It needs to stop. It needs to stop. It needs to stop!!
