NATURAL HIGH (10.14.04)

 

Well, you know the deal this weekend...the season finale of Funk Jazz Kafe (www.funkjazzkafe.com)! I'll be there a little later on after our set at Tarrazu on Saturday. By the way, if you were thinking of coming through last weekend to hear us but somehow or some way missed us...OH...MY...GOOD...GOD...I feel SSSOOOO sorry for you!!

 

What happened last Saturday night was one of the most ridiculously awesome sessions that have ever happened in Atlanta--yeah, I'm talking about in the whole city let alone in just Tarrazu! We started out as our normal three-man crew of me, Andre' on bass, and sitting in for Che on drums was Pete Alexander (who, incidentally, I got hooked up with a gig drumming for none other than Rachelle Ferrell for four dates at the end of the month in the Bay Area--congrats and those in the area need to check her and him out)! Anyway, at the height of the night, we were joined by probably one of if not THE best guitarist in the city--Ede Wright! He simply came from a performance and just decided to drop in and sit in to play with us--WOW!  I mean, let alone the fact that we were fortunate by having up-and-coming star Brodie join us and bless the mike with a free styled version of "People Make the World Go Round" (finally a vocal version). Also, Ryan Kilgore, saxophonist and one of the featured extras in the movie "Drumline", happened to be there with his date and wasn't expecting to be called up to play but I had to have him grace us with his talent...and did he! We also were joined by a trumpeter, Tony Bailey, as well as one of Pete's band mates, guitarist C.J. Randolph, of their Virgin Records band, El Pus--the hip-hop/rock sensation that is one of the best bands signed to a major label.

 Can you just say that the night was filled with many surprises and the music was ssssooooooooooo good, that I'm stilled amazed by what I hear as I'm listening to the tape of it that I recorded the session on--one groove we started went straight, non-stop, for close to 45 minutes!!! I'll have to convert it to MP3 and let you all hear a sample of it, but it can't compare to actually being there! I'm STILL high from it all! I'm satisfied with the crowd that we've been getting, especially when our promotion has mainly been word of mouth, so I'm not pressed feeling I have to go out of my way to reach the masses...I can enjoy it even if we were playing for ourselves (but standing-room only doesn't hurt).

 WHAT'S ON TAP THIS WEEK...

 Okay, off of that subject, you already that most of what we list, you'll find at: www.atlantahapps.com/upcoming_events.htm and I throw in my two cents about where I plan to be or what I personally endorse if there happens to be more than one event on a particular night. Well, I already gave you the heads up for next week's event: 

 

 

It's being organized by two individuals who gave me my first entertainment writing gig for what was Tafrija Magazine, back when I was a freshman at Clark Atlanta University. I have to give a quick shout-out to Tony and Rhonda Baraka for exposing me to the industry from an editorial perspective, which has ultimately led to me be blessed with the weekly opportunity to address the masses that frequent this page via this great site. There will be a plethora of activities throughout this four-day conference. Please click this link to see what all comes with registration for what will be a great networking event for those wishing to learn and/or break into the music business: http://www.smiurban.com/Itinerary/Itinerary.htm

Also, I want to give some online love to my girl, Jodine (of Jodine's Corner newsletters). We keep each other in the know, although she happens to be in more places in one than I wish I could be, at times (I swear she has a clone)! I peeped two events that we didn't list so I have to source her as well as insert them here:

***Friday, October 22nd, Afrikan Djeli Cultural Center presents FERTILE GROUND for their official Atlanta Album release party/concert. The Afrikan Djeli Cultural Center is located on 840 Abernathy Boulevard. Doors open at 9PM and tickets are limited and only $20. For more information, check out the site under Quick Links or call 404-753-8933.

Saturday, October 23rd, I am telling you this early cause I want you to be prepared. OMAR will be back in Atlanta at MJQ. Okay that's enough said. Questions? Check out the site under Quick Links!***

I saw Omar the last time he was here and this should not be missed...I will do what I can to make it out to this as well after we finish playing that Saturday!

In Closing...

I really appreciate the love we've been getting at Tarrazu, from the new faces that have been showing up to our sets to the phenomenal musicians that actually deem me and my crew worthy enough to share their talents with--I am so deeply honored that it's hard to describe what it feels like to live a dream come true as being regarded as a valid musician and having people that you look up to you treat you like a peer--that's almost too much to take in, at times! What a blessing and I hope to take this to the next level, because it's really time to do so, so send one up for me in whatever way you do 'cause I'll need all the divine intervention I can get!

Have fun this weekend into next week, and know that life is so short and you never know what's around the corner, bad or good, so enjoy it to the fullest and remember to appreciate those who deserve to be, but you never really take enough time to do so, it at all. Elections are coming up...vote by conscience and not by party. People are still recovering from all the weather-related damage of one of the most devastating hurricane seasons in history...do what you can to help someone because it could have been you or someone you know, 'cause I bet you for some of you, it really hit close to home if not literally your home. Know that you're here for a purpose and don't let anyone bring you down...matter-of-fact, it's high time you cut off all the people that don't factor into your well-being; when you've done all you could, it's time to move on and up--ya mean?!

May the blessings of the One Above All Others keep you in peace, in love, and on your path...