A Blues,Jazz ,highlife and african rhythmic pianist and clarinetist who's major influences are Count basie,Thelonious Monk,bud powell,Rex lawson, Sun Ra, John coltrane,Ray Charles,Buddy Defranco,Don Byronand Mccoy Tyner.I have had the great opportunity to study with various musicians in each feild and aslo with various ehnomusicologist mainly my mentor Dr Peter Hollerback.I believe that as the world becomes more global it is very important to study world music and absorb their influences but making sure we are paying respect to the great masters of our crafts. Because as Wes Montgomery said "NONE OF US CREATS IN A VACUUM." Us a musician I have the moral obligation not just to creat music but also to creat music that embodies my environment.
Also "Kind of a Jazz purist".I love my Jazz straight ahead just like it should be.No Avantgarde crap for me.Don't get me wrong I think it's outstanding music but I dont think all of it is jazz.I definately dig sun ra and cecil taylor's piano playing.
I Belive in the works of critic Stanley Crouch and trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.But I also belive Jazz is not a thing of the past like most say.There are some new dangerous cats out there takin "JAZZ" in new directions.
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