Earl the Squirrel - ProfilesArchive

About Me

It all kind of started as a joke! When I was younger I flirted with the idea of playing music,but nothing really stuck! I never took playing music too seriously, but I was obsessed with listening to it!!! I was going to school for graphic design, but all the while music was the inspiration for my visual work. I really felt that I needed an immediate outlet. Although spending time in the art building had it's excitement, I needed a platform. My parents were going on a carribean cruise, and my dad asked "what would you like as a gift while we're gone." Always embarressed by inquiries about gifts, I jokingly replied "a set of congas." Much to my surprise, they were shipped to the house...And the rest,as they say....is history. Thanks mom and dad! After just grooving around a while, I contacted my cousin, Donny Gruendler Jr. (Check out donnygruendler.com) He was (and has since graduated with a Bachelors) from Berkley School of Music, in Boston. Gotten a Masters in music from Wayne State, and written a book "Playing with Drum Loops. We got together began jamming, then he showed me some tips: Heel/toe, slap, open tones, tumbao rhythm, etc. Thanks Donny!!! About a year later I met the valuable friend and resource Scott Baker. I may not even be playing music, if it wasn't for Scott's insatiable drive. We began sitting in with Gone Daddy Gone and the Man Louis Jr. Band, and just hangin' out and runnin' hard.(Check out www.scottbakermusic.com) Or, check out his myspace. Hint: He's in my top friends!!! In the late 90's we formed Muddy Gumbo. A mostly original, and obscure cover band. We released three cd's: Continous Rotation, Capture the Moment, and Swampuccino. During this time we won a Review Award for Blues Band Deserving Wider Recoginition. I began doing sideman work as well. Here are some of the bands I have/do work with: Micah & the Squirrel, Shea Music, Dave Kellan: duo, trio, band, Bryan Rombalski and 3 Worlds, Bryan Rombalski Duo, Worlds Trio, Rev. Right Time, Bobby Pizazz and the Rhythm Train (duo, trio, and Big Band), Jon Rajewski, Empty Pockets, Muddy Gumbo, Too Much Fun, Swiv's Big Organ Band, Al Hellus and the Plastic Haiku Band, The Pool Boys, Rusty Squirrel, Mike Donahue & Earl the Squirrel, & The Velcro Monkeys. I'm sure I've missed one. I'm sorry if it's you... I also became a sit in regular, ala: Gone Daddy Gone, Gutbucket, Sprout and the Orange, Reverend Right Time and the First Cuzins of Funk, Larry McCray, Vinx, TNT Blues Band, Brush/Lopez, Lila Rasa, Count N' the Change, Danny Brown, Cherry Red, The Situation, The Blues Abusers, The Lovely's, Zuby, Frankie Moates and the Atlanta Horns, Tony Castellano, etc. etc. I've been more of a live player, but here's some of the session work that I've done: Muddy Gumbo, Dave Kellan, Robert Wagner, Joe's Cat, and Bryan Rombalski and Three World (DVD) The public has nominated me for the Review Awards almost every year since I hit the scene!!! At the 18th Annual Review Awards, I received the award for Best Instrumentalist in Rock! Muddy Gumbo also won the Blues Band DWR that year! At the 19th Annual Review Awards, I walked away with two awards!!! The Best Instrumentalist in Rock, and the Best Instrumentalist in Blues!!! For the 2006 Review Awards I received three awards!! Best Duo: Dave Kellan & Earl the Squirrel, Rock Instrumentalist, and Best Blues Instrumentalist!! In the middle of all of this madness I've shared bills with: the Larry McCray Band, CCR (Creedence Clearwater Revisited), the Robert Lee Band, and many, many more. I've played at the Mountain Rock Fest. (Farwell), Tawas Blues Festival, the Blues Cruise (Bay City), Def Jam Showcase (Midland), Tunes by the Tridge, Parkapallooza (Sanford), Detroit Winterblast '07, etc. I've also gotten pointers from African percussionist Kevin Collins (Flint area), as well as N.Y.C. percussionist Eddy Garcia (www.eddygarcia.com), composer/guitarist/instrumentalist Bryan Rombalski, vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Dave Kellan, and many others....Thanks for sharing the wisdom. I am currently in the middle of several projects, but still looking to fill up my plate. The experiment continues...

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My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 8/21/2006
Band Members: Professional sideman.Freelance.CONGAS, DJEMBE, BONGOS, PERCUSSION, DRUMS, VOCALS, HARMONICA.Currently working w/: SHEA MUSIC, MICAH & THE SQUIRREL (w/Micah Read), WORLDS TRIO, DAVE KELLAN (duo and trio), MIKE DONAHUE.SET UP INCLUDES: CONGAS: Pearl: Richie Flores Signature Series; DJEMBE: Remo: Leon Mobley Model; BONGOS: LP Matador; DRUM KIT: Rogers (late 60's-early 70's); VOCALS; AUXILARY/MINOR PERCUSSION: cowbells, woodblocks, cymbals (mostly Zildjian), maracas, egg shakers, goat toenails, rattles, tambourines, jam-blocks, guiros, rain sticks, etc.etc.
Influences: GENRES: Soul, Latin-jazz, Nu-Jazz, Pop, World, Funk, Soul-jazz, Jazz, Fusion, Reggae, Latin, Salsa,Blues, blues-rock,smooth jazz,anything w/horns, African, brazillian, Neo-soul, Hip-hop,rock-jazz,afro-beat, N'awlins,crossover, Be-bop,soul-rock, West African, Bossa Nova, classic rock, singer/songwriter, Motown, Staxx, Gospel, 70's, 60's, 50's, 40's, 30's, 20's, oldies,rock, old school country, classical indian music, some Free-jazz/avante garde, some jam bands....,jungle/drum n' bass, some techno, some disco, bluegrass, Dawg, field recordings,.....you get the picture. PERCUSSION: Poncho Sanchez, Ray Barretto, Daniel Sadownick, Bill Summers, Mongo Santamaria, Eddie "Bongo" Brown, Alvin "Seeco" Patterson, Richie Florez, Francisco Aguabella,Chris Lovejoy, Don Alias, Marc Quinones, Airto Moreira,Count M'Butu, Ralph MacDonald, Cyro Bapistata, Vinx, Giovanni Hidalgo,Raul Rekow,Chris Trujillo,Leon Mobley,Buck Clark, Lenny Castro, Adam Topol, Eddy Garcia,Levy,Kevin Collins, Luis Conte, Chano Pozo,Shabazz, Baaba Olatunji, Candido, Reebop Kwah Kubah, Sam Clayton, Cafe', Kewu Oya,Mike Dillon, Henry Gibson, Kahlil El'Zabar,Domingo "Sunny" Ortiz,Eric "Bobo"Correa, Zakkir Hussein, V. Selvaganesh, V. Umashankar,Snowboy. DRUMS: (Too many to name!! Tasteful/subtle players who surrender their egos to the songs.) Billy Martin, Alan Evans, Ringo Starr, Questlove, Yonrico Scott, Zigaboo Modeliste, Idris Muhammed, Jeff Ballard, Mike Clark,Elvin Jones,Matt Abts,Clyde Stubblefield,Levon Helm, Will Calhoun, Mitch Mitchell, Buddy Miles,Butch Trucks, Jaimoe,Jimmy Cobb,Chad Smith,Earl Palmer,Tony Williams, Billy Cobham,Art Blakey,Airto Moreira, Carlton "Carlie" Barrett, David Garibaldi, Steve Gadd, Lenny White, Chester Thompson, Peter Erskine,all Motown drummers: Richard "Pistol" Allen, Uriel Jones, Benny "Papa Zita" Benjamin,Walfredo Reyes Jr., Jay Lane, Jim Capaldi, Terreon Gully, Billy Higgins, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Frank Beard, Charlie Watts. LOCAL/REGIONAL DRUMMERS: Donny Gruendler Jr.,Steve McCray,"12",Tom Dolson,Tony Iopollo,Mike Cramton,Bill Silverthorn,John Cashman, R.J. Spangler. BANDS/ARTISTS: The Headhunters, George Benson, Poncho Sanchez, The Funk Brothers, Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, The Meters, Les Mcann, John Scofield, Charlie Hunter, Mongo Santamaria, Miles Davis, Santana, Derek Trucks Band, Vinx, Marvin Gaye, Tower of Power, Bob Marley & the Wailers, Allman Bros. Band, Zawinul Syndicate, Return to Forever, Jimmy Smith, Ray Barretto, Weather Report, Joe Cocker, James Brown, John Coltrane, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Jaco Pastorious, Soulive, MMW, Prince, Dr. John, Zap Mama, Bill Withers,Ray Charles, Al Jarreau, Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, Chick Corea, Grover Washington Jr., Screaming Headless Torsos, Carribean Jazz Proj.,The Philadelphia Experiment, 311,Joshua Redman, Project Z, Francisco Aguabella,Wes Montgomery,Nina Simone, Los Hombres Calientes, Sting, Peter Tosh, Louis Armstrong, Larry Goldings, Steve Winwood,Yonrico Scott Band, Christian McBride Band, Joni Mitchell, Blood Sweat & Tears, Sonny Rollins, Marc Broussard, Marcus Miller, Fred Wesley, Maktub, Harry Connick Jr., Dizzy Gillespie, Elton John, Richard Bona,Jimi Hendrix, Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers, Taj Mahal, Chicago, Maceo Parker, Airto & Flora, Beastie Boys, Steely Dan, Pat Metheny, ZZ TOP, Dave McMurray Show, Billy Taylor, Joey Defrancesco, Randy Weston's African Rhythms, CCR, Rodney Jones, Living Colour, Billy Cobham, Ron Carter,Paul Simon,, David Murray, Sly and the Family Stone,Curtis Mayfield, Beuna Vista Social Club, George Clinton Parliament Funkadelic, Fourth World, Nat King Cole Trio, Youssou N'Dour, Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals, Julian "Cannonball" Adderly, Jack Johnson, George Duke, Gov't Mule, Al Green, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Traffic, Gavin DeGraw, Robert Johnson, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Branford Marsalis, Morpine,Wayne Shorter, Lenny Kravitz, The Band, the Roots,Cal Tjader, SRV & Double Trouble, Little Feat, Sublime, the Slip, Booker T & the MG's, Billy Joel,Corey Harris, Seal, Toots & the Maytals, Art Blakey, DLG, Wyclef Jean, Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, Getz/Gilberto, Victor Wooten, Ron Carter, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Erykah Badu, Grant Green, Los Lobos, Planet Drum, Aquarium Rescue Unit, Cassandra Wilson, Norah Jones & the Handsome Band, the Neville Bros., Gilberto Gil, Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra, Run DMC, Earth Wind & Fire, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, B.B. King, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Son House, De La Soul, Pharoah Saunders, CSNY, . LOCAL/REGIONAL: Bryan Rombalski,Larry McCray,Matt Besey, TNT Blues Band,Doug Deming and the Blue Suit Blues Band, Dave Kellan, Gone Daddy Gone,Revere Park,Lila Rasa, Rev. Right Time, Brush St., Brush Lopez, Johnny Bassett,Count N' the Change,Swiv's Big Organ Band,Al Hellus and the Plastic Haiku Band, The Northwood Improvisers, Faruq Z. Bey, Gutbucket Blues Band, Blues Controversy,Scott Baker, Sprout and the Orange OTHER: FAMILY, Friendship, spirituality,Zen, buddhism, pets, Comedies, coffee, CARTOONS, Star Wars,anthropology,Ethno-musicology,Jazz History, Rock History, Graphic Design, Art, Art History, Silk Screening, Lino-cuts, concert videos,Simpsons,Death to Smoochy, Comedy Central, Legends of Jazz w/Ramsey Lewis, Ben Stiller, Seinfeld, Adam Sandler, Van Wilder, Will Ferrell,Family Guy, South Park, 70's Show, Everybody Loves Raymond,Martial Arts, Basketball, Hockey, Kickboxing, boxing, Mo' Better Blues, Quentin Tarantino, Christopher Walken, Eddie Murphy, Bird, Idlewild, Danny Devito,Keith Haring, M.C. Escher, Dr. Barron Hirsch,Stephen King, documentaries, Sci-Fi.,music/instructional,beer, energy drinks. MAGAZINES: Downbeat, Jazz Times, Jazziz, DRUM, Modern Drummer, Shambalaya Sun, Jazz Improv, Harp, Big City Blues, Hittin' the Note, The Beat, Relix BOOKS: Zen Keys (Thich Nhat Hahn), A Cloud Hidden (Alan Watts), Miles Davis (Biography), A Love Supreme (Ashley Kahn), Jaco Pastorius (Biography), Many Years From Now-the life of Paul McCartney (Barry Miles), Rants! (Dennis Miller), Crooked Tree, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones, drum/percussion/instructional. Tao Teh Ching (Lao Tzu), "Baby Steps"(Dr. Leo Marvin)
Sounds Like: Step 1:Absorb influences. Step 2:Throw them in a blender. Step 3:Add alcohol! Step 4: Add ice. Step 5: Hit frappe' Step 6: Enjoy the show!
Type of Label: None

My Blog

THANKS FOR THE VOTES!!! 3 AWARDS AT THE REVIEW!!

Thanks to everyone who was involved in the 21st Annual Review Awards. Bob Martin, the Review Staff, musicians, and most of all the voters. I walked away w/three awards this year th...
Posted by Earl the Squirrel on Tue, 08 May 2007 10:57:00 PST

Music's Up!!! FINALLY!!

Hey! Music's up!! Thanks to my friends Jessie and Mike Donahue!!! Dial up is just waaaay to slow!! : ( "Stormy Weather" was recorded w/JVT at a benefit at Aldersgate Ch...
Posted by Earl the Squirrel on Sat, 31 Mar 2007 05:35:00 PST

*VOTE!! www.review-mag.com SuPpOrT LoCaL MuSiC! VOTE!!***

Hey there! It's voting time again for the Annual Review Music Awards!! This is not a shameless self-promotion. I am in no way asking for, or trying to influence, your vote. &n...
Posted by Earl the Squirrel on Mon, 26 Feb 2007 12:51:00 PST

Entertainer of the Month- www.slipperymusic.com

Wow! The universe works in mysterious ways!! January is always pretty slow in the music/restaurant/bar biz, but it seems that people are still hungry for live music! Although...
Posted by Earl the Squirrel on Sat, 03 Feb 2007 11:23:00 PST

www.ourverge.com "the beat of a different mammal" -artist profile

A couple of weeks ago, on the same morning, I received two myspace messages. One from Rev. of Rev. Right Time (whom I was just getting ready to contact! Weird.) an...
Posted by Earl the Squirrel on Fri, 19 Jan 2007 12:11:00 PST

I'm in Rev. Right Time!!!

As of this morning I will begin working w/the Flint-area funk outfit Rev. Right Time. Ferris and I got in contact via Myspace this morning and expressed mutual interest in working togethe...
Posted by Earl the Squirrel on Fri, 05 Jan 2007 10:32:00 PST

R.I.P. James Brown

On Christmas day, the Godfather of Soul, James Brown has passed away. The Godfather of Souls own soul has left his earthly body and transcended to a better place. His singin...
Posted by Earl the Squirrel on Wed, 27 Dec 2006 04:14:00 PST

If you've moved on my friends page

Hey there!!! If you've recently moved outta my friend space there's a very good reason for it...... I hate you! JUST KIDDING!!!!!!! In order to fit i...
Posted by Earl the Squirrel on Tue, 05 Dec 2006 01:53:00 PST

Desert Island Discs

I've been pondering, what discs would I want/need if stranded on a desert island. If ya asked me tommorrow they'd probably be different! In no particular order: 1. "Kind of B...
Posted by Earl the Squirrel on Wed, 22 Nov 2006 12:25:00 PST

Sorry there's no music up yet...

Hello. Sorry there is still no music up yet. We don't have Dave's CD done yet, and as a result I was sampling some other material in my car to put up on here. ...
Posted by Earl the Squirrel on Sun, 05 Nov 2006 11:47:00 PST