Saturday, October 26, 2013
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Mr. Kenyatta
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Mr. Kenyatta: Just the other day I came across a Facebook posting of a friend who had a couple of pictures of pianist and soprano saxophonist Kamau K...
Mr. Kenyatta
Just the other day I came across a Facebook posting of a friend who had a couple of pictures of pianist and soprano saxophonist Kamau Kenyatta. Kamau Kenyatta currently resides in San Diego, CA, but was once a major player on the Detroit jazz scene.
I first met Kamau Kenyatta at his Wednesday night sets at Dummy George`s jazz club in Detroit in the 1980`s. He and his band hosted a Wednesday night jam session. His first set was closed to allow the audience to enjoy the music of Kamau Kenyatta, who was joined on stage with Rayse Biggs - trumpet, Vincent Bowens - tenor saxophone, Jaribu Shahid - bass, and Tanni Tabal - drums. Marion Hayden replaced Jaribu Shahid on bass.
My good friend, and trumpeter Mark Croft and I would always attend those jam sessions at Dummy George`s. Those jam sessions were like a home coming; it was great to see all the musicians who attended the jam sessions, and to also hear them play. I really enjoyed that first set though, especially with Marion Hayden on bass (don`t get this wrong, I also enjoyed Jaribu Shahid). Kamau Kenyatta and his band treated the audience with a first set of energized post-bop and straight-a-head jazz that rivaled anything out of New York, or the most prestigious jazz festivals.
Currently, Kamau Kenyatta lives in San Diego, CA, where he lectures at University of California`s Jazz Studies Department. Kamau Kenyatta has performed with Hubert Laws, Earl Klugh, and Patti Austin, just to name a few. Kenyatta has also written scores and supervised music for documentary and film. Detroit`s loss is San Diego`s gain. Thanks for those excellent first sets and jam sessions.
I first met Kamau Kenyatta at his Wednesday night sets at Dummy George`s jazz club in Detroit in the 1980`s. He and his band hosted a Wednesday night jam session. His first set was closed to allow the audience to enjoy the music of Kamau Kenyatta, who was joined on stage with Rayse Biggs - trumpet, Vincent Bowens - tenor saxophone, Jaribu Shahid - bass, and Tanni Tabal - drums. Marion Hayden replaced Jaribu Shahid on bass.
My good friend, and trumpeter Mark Croft and I would always attend those jam sessions at Dummy George`s. Those jam sessions were like a home coming; it was great to see all the musicians who attended the jam sessions, and to also hear them play. I really enjoyed that first set though, especially with Marion Hayden on bass (don`t get this wrong, I also enjoyed Jaribu Shahid). Kamau Kenyatta and his band treated the audience with a first set of energized post-bop and straight-a-head jazz that rivaled anything out of New York, or the most prestigious jazz festivals.
Currently, Kamau Kenyatta lives in San Diego, CA, where he lectures at University of California`s Jazz Studies Department. Kamau Kenyatta has performed with Hubert Laws, Earl Klugh, and Patti Austin, just to name a few. Kenyatta has also written scores and supervised music for documentary and film. Detroit`s loss is San Diego`s gain. Thanks for those excellent first sets and jam sessions.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Not An Island Onto Our Selves
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Not An Island Onto Our Selves: Two things have occurred in the last couple of days that have influenced me to write this blog; my aunts 101st birthday, and a Facebook...
Not An Island Onto Our Selves
Two things have occurred in the last couple of days that have influenced me to write this blog; my aunts 101st birthday, and a Facebook posting from friend. Both bringing me to metaphysical reflection.
Just yesterday my wife and I attended my Aunt Ruth`s 101st Birthday at the nursing home where she resides. Celebrating my aunts birthday were my other aunts, cousins and their spouses, my mom, brother and his wife, and others. My Cousin Dorothy gave special and meaningful words honoring our aunt, and then called upon my aunt`s sister, cousins, each of her nieces and nephews to come and say a few words. This was a happy and joyous time, and I look forward to the holidays for more of the same.
Drummer and my Facebook friend RJ Spangler posted on Facebook what I consider one of the best post I have read on Facebook. RJ posted - "I was reminded today that I don`t do this all by myself. We musicians depend on those that care about the music and about us. Friends, family, music lovers, all that I can say is thank you so much". I was almost brought to tears when I read this, because he is right.
I think the point I am trying to make is that people are supporting us. Of course, I as a saxophonist have spent countless hours studying and practicing, going to school and taking lessons, attending jam sessions, making musical and professional connections, and in general "paying my dues" as a musician, and this can be said to at least the majority of us as musicians. Spangler is absolutely correct, we don`t do this by ourselves. We are joined by other musicians on stage with a shared experience of making and creating music, and while doing so we are joined by people like my Wife Patricia who helps me sell CDs, and assist in other capacities to handle the business of music when I am on stage. When I look into the audience I see my Cousin Dorothy, my Aunt Jeannie, my Mother Sarah, and my Sister-in-law Zandra, and that`s only to mention some of my family, because many more of my relatives have been in that audience while I`m on stage playing saxophone and flute. It is also a blessing to have friends such as Lesley and Vance, and students such as Ms. Clifton and Attorney Brown supporting by attending my performances. Also present in my audience are fans from the Detroit area, and sponsors such as J.D. Knox, Inc. That`s just my support and networking system, because other musicians have their support system and network too.
We are supported and cared by those who love us enough to come-out and be apart of what we love; our music. I was reminded of that in the presence of my relatives at my aunt`s 101 birthday with the joyful discussions and meal we shared. RJ Spangler`s words have given me something to really reflect upon. Thank you to all who have come-out to support me and my art, and be able to make a living doing what I love.
Just yesterday my wife and I attended my Aunt Ruth`s 101st Birthday at the nursing home where she resides. Celebrating my aunts birthday were my other aunts, cousins and their spouses, my mom, brother and his wife, and others. My Cousin Dorothy gave special and meaningful words honoring our aunt, and then called upon my aunt`s sister, cousins, each of her nieces and nephews to come and say a few words. This was a happy and joyous time, and I look forward to the holidays for more of the same.
Drummer and my Facebook friend RJ Spangler posted on Facebook what I consider one of the best post I have read on Facebook. RJ posted - "I was reminded today that I don`t do this all by myself. We musicians depend on those that care about the music and about us. Friends, family, music lovers, all that I can say is thank you so much". I was almost brought to tears when I read this, because he is right.
I think the point I am trying to make is that people are supporting us. Of course, I as a saxophonist have spent countless hours studying and practicing, going to school and taking lessons, attending jam sessions, making musical and professional connections, and in general "paying my dues" as a musician, and this can be said to at least the majority of us as musicians. Spangler is absolutely correct, we don`t do this by ourselves. We are joined by other musicians on stage with a shared experience of making and creating music, and while doing so we are joined by people like my Wife Patricia who helps me sell CDs, and assist in other capacities to handle the business of music when I am on stage. When I look into the audience I see my Cousin Dorothy, my Aunt Jeannie, my Mother Sarah, and my Sister-in-law Zandra, and that`s only to mention some of my family, because many more of my relatives have been in that audience while I`m on stage playing saxophone and flute. It is also a blessing to have friends such as Lesley and Vance, and students such as Ms. Clifton and Attorney Brown supporting by attending my performances. Also present in my audience are fans from the Detroit area, and sponsors such as J.D. Knox, Inc. That`s just my support and networking system, because other musicians have their support system and network too.
We are supported and cared by those who love us enough to come-out and be apart of what we love; our music. I was reminded of that in the presence of my relatives at my aunt`s 101 birthday with the joyful discussions and meal we shared. RJ Spangler`s words have given me something to really reflect upon. Thank you to all who have come-out to support me and my art, and be able to make a living doing what I love.
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