Work Needed
RShamms@aol.com
Sat, 7 Oct 1995 02:51:12 -0400
Hi friends-
Well, I've been an AJ member for a few months now and haven't sent any
messages yet. This is my first. let me tell you a bit about myself. I've been
a musician for forty years. That's right. 40! It's all been blues and jazz,
raised in Chicago, studied with Roy Knapp (Krupa's teacher) some years ago.
Knapp was 70. Fopr the last 8 years, I've had a band in Vermont called
"Science Fixion". It started as a "standards" experience, but has evolved
into a radical jazz-funk-punky-latin-rap-blues experiment. We traveled and
played in Russia a few years back and toured the South and Canada. people who
hear it say it's the best band in the universe,.. that's not my line of
hype,.. though it's awfully good. Our first album was called "Swimmin' in the
Human Condition", and the 2nd (out in November of '95) is called "Sting of
the Star Spider". I think that music is the only way that people will ever
know the experience some call "god", and that religion, out of jealous rage
for artists and musicians, stole the spiritual pathway a long time ago and
turned it into cold stone. But still, jazz lives! Science Fixion needs to
work, or it will fall apart. It has a lot of good energy to share, and can
turn young minds towards the spirit of the music. We just got a lady to act
as a manager (she's good and knows the history and soul of the music, as well
as being experienced witrh thye care and feeding of club owners and concert
promoters). She's headed to NYC for us in a week or two, and maybe other
environs after that. there's a free album in it for caring souls who can turn
me on to contacts, clubs and colleges. Even if it isn't the "best band in the
universe" it's a great and spirited energy experience, and deserves a crack
at it before my age gets too old to cop the licks. I am a radical 55 year
young lover of the idiom, but even I won't last forever. Can you help me out
on this? The ensemble is a six piece with electric guitar, electric and
acoustic bass, synths, a dynamite drummer who played NYC for a long time, a
cellist, and myself (lead vocals, electric mallets, saxes, and percussion).
All the players are first rate, and good entertainers as well. I've become a
Vermont boy over the last twenty years however, and need to realizea dream
before it's time to sleep. Thanks to all who read this, and special
bvlessings to all who respond. take care, and keep up the love for the only
reality that makes sense,.. the music. Shamms.