I was born Sep.16,1953 in Dallas,Texas and I attended James Madison High school finishing in 1971.My band teachers were Dr. William Marks(1969-70)and Dr. Carl McCloudy (1970-71).McCloudy was a jazz player(sax&flute)that went to school with David"Fathead"Newman and played with Ray Charles.He was a excellent musician and teacher.We called him "the man in the Hush Puppy Shoes." I was picked by Ronald Modell, a trumpet player for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra,to be given private lessons.That was a gift from GOD! I didn't have to pay for the lessons and Mr. Modell exposed me to my first jazz tune "Harlem Nocturne". I was listening to Herb Alpert(because of the harmonies of the horns),Chicago, the Blue Note classics and Herbie Hancock,Sly Stone, Motown,R&B(James Brown,Johnnie Taylor)and all the funk groups of the 70's. My father was also a very good high school athlete and musician from Corsicanna Texas.In 1950 he was in the Army Band ,serving tour in Germany he was in band school.He played trumpet too. When I attended the University of North Texas I studyed music as my major.Some of my teachers were Dr.Leorand Canderia and Dr. Clarke.The students used to tag me a that"Miles" looking guy.so I went out and bought me some shades to wear on my face.I girls loved it.Then on day in the dorn lobby I met a dude named Tommy Hopkins.He came from Garland,Texas.He did a lot of talking mainly while he was beating you when we were playing "Bones".I never knew anybody Black from that city.He told us that he was a drummer and that his father played piano at his Church.Tommy was a very Real brother.We were just learning about being proud of your Blackness.So, to me just listening to him gave me a big brother influence.When he came in the room he had an aura that just lit up a room.That same aura showed in his playing.He had a cheap drum set he bought from a pawn shop.The cymbols were thin,but he got music from that set. We were in the same dorm called the "Quads",because they were four building used to house students.That year a lot of students attended UNT.They had two buildings with 60 pratice rooms for music majors.Tommy worked at the local music record store.He already had lots of records,but this gig at the Sound Town record store expanded his collection.He would bring all the new releases.We would stay up at nite going over the Chords and rhythms he learned from listening.Then we hooked up with ,pianist-singer(now preacher)Doug Dye,trumpeter Ira Bassett,guitar/bass player Chuck Beck, bass player from Houston Gerald Calhoun.Tommys'older sister Cynthia did the lead vocals. They had a band that they called "Coldfire"and I was the "guest" vocalist.Tommy later turned pro and worked at the Post Office in the mornings and giged at night.He later married Carla Norris.They had a group together.He played with some of the best!!!Tommy Hopkins played his drums ,(I mean he giged that night and got sick that morning) until the day he died from Cancer in 2004. My My thing is playing the trumpet.In the marching and stage bands.In a high school regional jazz contest in Houston Tex,jazz -trumpeter Clark Terry awarded me a trophy for the best solo.The first band I had was formed in my backyard on Fourth Ave. I have sat in with the late James Clay, the Soul Creators a R&B group in the area,played with Onzey Mathews,Coldfire(a band started in Denton,Texas),Motvation Unlimited Band(featuring pianist John Lewis and Edward"Doc"Dunn).I'm one of the best (Trumpet-composer-vocalist-Keyboard) players in the Dallas-FW area.You can check out Doc Davis at
[email protected] tune "Poet Hustler" is my pick.I attended the University of North Texas as a music major and film radio-TV .I'm a Master photographer..I'm married and have 4 grown children.
Myspace.com Blogs - Actual Proof with Herbie Hancock - Marcus Miller MySpace Blog http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog....
freddie hubbard little sunflower http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbj-SIoN6EU
