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| Mike Clark's 'Carnival Of Soul' Legendary Drummer Mike Clark's 'Carnival of Soul' is a Propulsive, Joyful Jazz/Funk Collection. Joined by Top Musicians, Clark Pays Homage to an Unsung Genre: B3 Organ Trios. Owl Studios to Release New CD on June 10th. Legendary drummer Mike Clark's upcoming Carnival of Soul is a propulsive, joyful collection of jazz/funk tracks that pays homage to one of Clark's beloved genres, the B3 Organ Trio. He comments: In my early twenties I had my own organ trio gig in a jazz club for half a dozen years. I always loved playing the music because the B3 is such a strong instrument with a big sound-it frees the drums to just play all out. I also did a lot of organ gigs when I first came to New York in the 80s. It's not the setting where I've done most of my jazz playing but I wanted to record an homage to this unique genre that I love so much. I got together some truly fantastic musicians-most of us go way back-and we just had a whole lot of fun. Clark signed to Al Hall's Owl Studios late last year, and Carnival of Soul marks his debut release on the label. Hall noted: "Owl Studios is very pleased to add a drummer of such legendary status to our roster. Mike's career has been unbelievable and we look forward to watching that career continue with his new 2010 release." In addition to Clark on drums, the album features Jerry Z, Delbert Bump and Jeff Pittson on Organ, Steve Homan and Rez Abbasi on Guitar, Delbert McClinton on vocals, Tim Ouimette on Trumpet, Lenny White on Drums, Kevin McKendree on Piano, Owl Studios artist Rob Dixon on Tenor Sax and others. Clark regularly tours the U.S., Europe and Asia, heading up his organ trio, and/or performing as a sideman. An initial round of U.S. dates in support of Carnival of Soul have been confirmed for June. In addition to his straight-ahead performances, Clark is known for making regular appearances at band camps, colleges and drum shops as a clinician and jazz musician/expert. More about Mike Clark: Mike Clark gained worldwide recognition as one of America's foremost jazz and funk drummers while playing with Herbie Hancock?s group in the early 1970?s. Mike became known as a major innovator through his incisive playing on Hancock's Thrust album, which garnered him an international cult following. Mike has performed with jazz greats such as Herbie Hancock, Chet Baker, Tony Bennett, Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, Woody Shaw, Larry Coryell, Jack Wilkins, Wallace Roney, Geri Allen, Billy Childs, James Genus, Bob Hurst, Chris Potter, Onaje Allan Gumbs, Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau, Dave Liebman, Nat Adderly, Oscar Brown Jr., Bill Doggett, Mose Allison, Maxine Brown, Gil Evans and his orchestra, and did a stint with Brand X, the acclaimed British fusion band, founded by Phil Collins. He has performed throughout the world at all of the major jazz venues and festivals. MIKE CLARK - 'CARNIVAL OF SOUL' LINER NOTES: Time was a mention of Mike Clark?s name would bring an immediate association with his role as the innovative jazz funk rhythm wizard from Herbie Hancock?s Headhunters band-and, later, simply, The Headhunters. While in the early 80?s his work with British cult fusion rockers Brand X brought another devoted fan base, as did his brief but raucous foray into the jam band scene with his popular Prescription Renewal efforts (which featured a revolving cast of jam band stars-Charlie Hunter, DJ Logic, Skerik, Robert Walter-mingling with such R&B legends as Fred Wesley and George Porter) for a long time the ever versatile drummer has just as likely been identified with his playing in the last 3 decades in some of the hottest acoustic jazz settings, captured on recordings such as his last critically acclaimed Blueprints of Jazz, Volume 1. Blueprints placed in Downbeat?s Best Recordings of the Decade, and that 4 1/2 star review-which his other efforts Give the Drummer Some, Summertime and The Funk Stops Here also garnered-established Mike as a solid bandleader with a knack for picking infectious material and some of the baddest musicians in the business. Today with his most recent release, Carnival of Soul, Clark continues to astound us in his role as musical zeitgeist. He?s put together some music with a little help from his friends-old friends, new friends, a couple of fellow legends, brilliant musicians all-and builds upon the tradition of the organ trio-a tradition Mike traces to some of his earliest inspirations as a professional musician. Having played with some of the heroes of the B3 such as Bill Doggett, Richard 'Groove' Holmes, Brother Jack McDuff, and Dr. Lonnie Smith, Mike has an ear for that authentic sound and has assembled three of his personal favorite organ players to anchor this merry-go-round. I love organ music. One of my earliest regular gigs in an organ trio was with a guy on organ named Arnie Young. We did four nights and a Sunday afternoon. Organs give you that big sound, and as a drummer you can play as hard as you want and the music takes it, in fact requires it. Plus it swings like a big dog. About the players: Drummer Lenny White is another elemental figure in drumming lore, as a member of Chick Corea?s Return to Forever and one of the drummers on Miles Davis groundbreaking Bitches Brew. In addition to his recent tours with Corea and RTF, White is a dominant presence on New York's jazz scene and a busy producer. Besides sharing a time in history as two drumming pioneers, Mike and Lenny are close friends. After putting in his time in the Big Apple, where he played with some of the resident giants such as Count Basie and Illinois Jacquet, tenor saxophonist Rob Dixon moved to Indianapolis, home to renowned record label Owl Studios. One of the leading artists on their roster, Dixon also plays regularly with Derrick Gardner, and has established a reputation as one of the strongest and freshest players on the instrument today. Trumpet player Tim Ouimette has played with Ray Charles, Cab Calloway, and The Jaco Pastorius Tribute Band, and is one of New York City's hardest-working studio musicians and arrangers. He co-leads the Mike Clark/Tim Ouimette Big Band. Guitarist Steve Homan played for many years with legendary organist Jimmy Smith and knows the genre inside out. He continues to exercise his unique talent with fellow Northern Californian Delbert Bump, and is one of the most sought after guitarists on the West Coast. Guitarist Rez Abbasi is considered by many to be one of the foremost modern jazz guitar players on today?s scene with his unique sound as a composer and an instrumentalist. Mike and Rez are neighbors in the same Manhattan complex and get together regularly for HBO fight nights. Northern California native Delbert Bump has earned the reputation as one of the most soulful organists on the West Coast. Mike and Delbert played jazz and rhythm and blues gigs when they were in high school. Later on, in Oakland, Delbert played in settings that featured Mike and Paul Jackson as they honed their signature code ?where?s the one?? heard on The Headhunters? recordings, that has astounded and baffled listeners for over four decades. After doing stints with drummer and renowned musicologist Jim Payne, guitarists Oz Noy and Melvin Sparks, organist Jerry Z has toured extensively with The Headhunters and with Mike Clark in organ trio gigs around the world. He?s proving to be a gifted composer as well. Primarily known as a formidable jazz pianist and prolific composer, Jeff Pittson's informed organ playing delivers some of the recording's more interesting cuts. Another old colleague whose musical relationship with Mike goes back decades to San Francisco, he provided some of the seminal sounds on Mike and Paul Jackson?s classic effort The Funk Stops Here. A veteran of Etta James and Brian Setzer stints, Nashville resident Kevin McKendree is an extremely funky and soulful pianist, guitarist, organ player and composer; he is also Delbert McClinton's bandleader. Multiple Grammy winner and rhythm and blues legend Delbert McClinton's gravelly vocals and sensitive lyrical ballads have earned him popular and critical international acclaim and the nickname ?King of the Texas Roadhouse.? Mike played in Delbert?s band when he was 17, in Texas, where both their fathers were railroad men. About the tracks: 'T's Boogaloo' This is a tribute to Al Tanner, organist and mentor to young musicians around the Bay Area in the sixties. Mike and Delbert Bump were very close with Tanner, or 'T' as he was known, and wrote this tune in his honor. One of those boisterous jumping boogaloos that defy a person to sit still and stay in their seat. Come on now. Put it on. I dare you not to dance. 'Turok Son of Stone' This is sort of a throwback, as the title might suggest, to be bop style, with a semi-modern twist on it. Rob plays a hard-swinging solo, showing his love for what happened before the sixties, and Rez comes in with some dazzling lines. Jeff?s solo also demonstrates his love for the roots of jazz while Mike tops it off by trading eights with the band, ala Philly Joe Jones and Max Roach, but all his own. 'Angel Eyes' Right in the pocket from start to finish. A great rendition of a beautiful ballad, with wonderful solos by Delbert Bump and guitar great Steve Homan. Clark demonstrates his skill with the brushes and shows how nasty he can get when he goes to the ride cymbal. Grooves from start to finish. 'Run Straight Down' A great tune and arrangement by Jeff Pittson, this is a very modern, medium bright tempo with Clark lightening things up with his trademark post bop style. Jeff?s playing recalls Larry Young and Rob lays it down hard here. 'Water On The Moon' They found water on the moon recently, did you know? Proving it can sustain life. There?s plenty of life in this tune, with a form th write your comments about the article :: © 2010 Jazz News :: home page |