Member Since: 23/01/2008
Band Website: www.jumpinsomethin.com
Influences: My influences are New Orleans musicians including Professor Longhair, Snooks Eaglin, The Meters, The Neville Brothers, Lonnie Johnson, Louis Armstrong, and many others. I also feel that the playing of Tuck Andress, Richard Thompson, Robert Johnson, Blind Blake, Blind Willie McTell, Ry Cooder, Blind Willie Johnson, Brownie McGee, Freddie Green, David Lindley, Josh White and Ali Farka Toure have all had a big impact on me. Songwriters including Robbie Robertson, Richard Thompson, Van Morrison and Bob Dylan are all people who I think about as I write, if only to be aware of not stealing their stuff inadvertently.Of musicians that I have worked with over the years, Sean Harkness stands out as a major influence. I took lessons from Paul Asbell, and he was responsible for reorienting my thoughts about chord theory and harmony. Jerry Lavine also gave me some influential lessons. Brian Camelio, who now runs Artistshare, and I worked together for several years, and his playing certainly helped me. New Orleans bassists Tim Paco, now in Texas, and Angelo Nocentelli, both gave me a sense of time and tone at the bass end of the guitar, which is where it all starts, for me.Finally, the greatest underrated guitarist of all time, Django’s brother, Joseph Reinardt, will always be an inspiration.
Sounds Like: Ha! We hate this question. Tommy Malone, guitarist and singer with the Subdudes, told me I sound like Sting. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get Sting to tell me I sound like Tommy Malone, which I would be very satisfied with. My guitar teacher from over two decades ago, Paul Asbell, asked me "Who are you listening to? Because, I hear a little Tuck Andress, I hear a little Snooks (Eaglin, New Orleans Guitar legend), but you’re not really trying to do either of those guys. I haven’t really heard anyone that sounds like you." Which all leads me to believe that, on guitar, I sound sort of like myself, although if you read the section on my influences, I cite three of the above guitarists. I should have added Tommy Malone, though. I wish I sounded like him on guitar, too. Fantastic singer and guitarist.
Record Label: Unsigned