Hurricane Katrina / New Orleans is still not released...1 year later ! ! !

What has happened down here is the wind have changed
Clouds roll in from the north and it started to rain
Rained real hard and rained for a real long time
Six feet of water in the streets of Evangeline

The river rose all day
The river rose all night
Some people got lost in the flood
Some people got away alright
The river have busted through clear down to Plaquemines
Six feet of water in the streets of Evangelne

CHORUS
Louisiana, Louisiana
They're tryin' to wash us away
They're tryin' to wash us away
Louisiana, Louisiana
They're tryin' to wash us away
They're tryin' to wash us away

President Coolidge came down in a railroad train
With a little fat man with a note-pad in his hand
The President say, "Little fat man isn't it a shame what the river has
done
To this poor crackers land."

CHORUS

lyrics from Randy Newman's great song, " Louisiana, 1927 "


Hello there good people....

Yesterday was the 1 year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, and it's aftermath on our beloved American soil....

Today, I woke up to NBC's "Meet The Press" and moderator Tim Russert interviewing Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans.

For the most part, it was a respectful interview, and compared to some of the politicos that have run their jaundiced game on the media, and on that show, it was an informational, yet sobering episode once again about the big cloud of not making any big movement toward solving the Katrina crisis within these shores.

New Orleans, LA is a city that basically still looks like it was hit by a nuclear bomb, and during this episode of MTP, Mayor Nagin was asked about his recent remarks about New York City and the World Trade Center site compared to NOLA's plight....his answer (and I am paraphrasing here) juxtapositioned NOLA's situation against NYC's still having a 'hole in the ground". It was a thinly-veiled reference to the bureaucratic stifle that still exists after to this day, with regards to any movement by the current administration, or movement by local government to remedy the situation.

Mr Nagin apologized on the show for his pointed remark (which I thought were more "spot-on", than insensitively pointed...
When Mayor Nagin answered the NYC gentlemen (in a replayed clip for all....(to me) it felt like the answer of a man who had seen as much devastation in a different arena, in full consort with his NYC counterpart).
This felt like the man just wants to continue his work to help rebuild his beloved city, as he has always postured.

He (to me) seems to be a kind man, and he has been a rudder that NOLA has needed through this debacle....a person who is not afraid to show his pain over the devastation of his beloved city.
His remarks at times, I think, are sometimes the dagger of reality that the right-wing leaning media needs to have shoved in it's face from time to time.

Moreover, I personally didn't think that he was being disrespectful to the "sacred ground" (the pundits words, not mine) of the World Trade Center crater that still exists, this amongst the end fighting of bureaucracy and political maneuvering, as to what should occupy the crater (new, higher paean to a building or memorial...).

He also went on to say (in response to a question by Russert about being satisfied with the response of /direction of said monies, from the Government so far, in regards to disaster relief) that the Federal money that has FINALLY been released by the government is being funneled through endless bureaucratic channels, and is NOT getting to the proper place with enough speed.
(Hasn't this been the general norm, and the usual ticky-tacky-ness with the current administration... RIIIIGHT????
(you should've heard the voice of Bill Cosby doing the Lord talking to Noah with the delivery of the last word).

NOLA, or any city (there are others that went through Katrina also!!) on American soil shouldn't be in this position of wondering...

I do also agree with Mayor Nagin's remarks a while ago that if this were upstate NYC, or the more privileged areas of South Florida like West Palm Beach, you would have seen Gabriel blowing trumpets to signal all help to come down and save these people.

It is a blatant, total disregard for human life (some were White, and there were tons of people who are 'darker' than blue, as it were), and this country should be (or at least most of us) extremely ashamed enough to not 'sweep it under the rug'.

We, here in Portland, Oregon have seen some of NOLA's residents sprinkled like ashes on the wind, to land in our fair city, and I do truly hope that they are experiencing some balm to their soul, but this is not Wanderlust-by-choice....
these people were FORCED to leave their city and homes, and their lives to try and make life anew elsewhere. I am sure that these people were not on the economic large end of the food chain, as it were.

In this country, on the news, I continue to see references of another dead body from NOLA, another person found in their attic trying to outrun the water and dying, others found under rubble and floorboards, and it brings me to a maddening resignation, but not quiet enough to not share with you my feelings.

In my opinion, we don't need this current, lying through their teeth government to be allowed to go on with it's insensitivity to many of it's people in this country (not just only NOLA...we could talk about the seniors and the Medicare debacle, the state of all the children left behind with education and it's underfunded atmosphere, the Iraq war and it's profit mongering...and the maneuvering to start another war in Iran for more war machine profit...how about spying on it's own people...I could go on...).

The link below is a story from the New York Times today, and it does have a graphic nature to it, but needs to be seen to be taken in and meditated upon. We need to see this. Be sure to grab the whole link and paste it in your URL slot.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/27/us/nationalspecial/27body.html?pagewanted=1&_r=
1&th&emc=th

If you choose to read this story, please remember this tale when you vote in November for change.

We, as Americans should continue to be outraged, even in the face of a repeat of the images of the President on "Meet The Press", lying his ass off many months ago in a national speech on TV,
saying for all to hear in the town square of Jefferson Parish that help was on the way....

As the B.B. King song says, "I got some help I don't really need"

Tell that to the 140,000 people still displaced, dead or missing from the original numbers of NOLA's occupancy.

The help they really need, it not only is non-existent...

...It's virtually been washed away.

cj

Gonna Really Fly Now / The Incredible Maynard Ferguson passes away May 4, 1928 - August 23, 2006

the stratospheric horn of MF finally gets called home...

hey there good music lovin' people...

It has been some gloom with the recent spate of passings, but I heard this last night on the gig, and felt that I needed to at least write something , and to give the biggest props to the mighty trumpeter, Maynard Ferguson, who left the planet on the 23rd of this month.

I first heard the album "MF Horn 2"
in high school (my HS band teacher, Larry Morrell gets the approving nod for this episode in my life), and it still knocks me out to this day, while then introducing me to the great writing of Adrian Drover, Kenny Wheeler, Keith Mansfield and others...
The long out of print albums "Screamin' Blues" and "Dues" (with it's haunting arrangement of "Tinsel" by Willie Maiden still evokes the "Sunset Boulevard of broken dreams" atmosphere) also saw their way into my listening diet...

I later saw MF and his band (with the great Peter Erskine on drums, just joining after a long stint in Stan Kenton's band) at Sunset High School in Beaverton, OR back in the early 80's -thanks band director Dell Herried (may he rest in peace) for making that possible for us kids then to see some of the great music from the Big Bands (which sorely have been missed and long gone in the new century)...



For my money, that 13 piece band smoked any larger band in the same arena.

Unbelievable performances all around from Erskine, Mark Colby, Bobby Militello, Stan Mark, Ron Tooley, Dennis Noday, Randy Purcell, Gordon Johnson, Biff Hannon, Joe Mosello, Roger Homefield and Mike Migliore...and of course, Maynard himself leading the way with his high note playing, and general good cheerleading of the troops through some involved Jazz battle!

I was ruined for life in the best way that evening, and sadly now "The Boss" is truly gone...

Yes, now with myself as a co-leader of a large group such as a big band, I do feel some more cavernous empty exerted upon the survival of that genre and it's wonderful music, and even more loss of one of the greats from the true Big Band era.

I am also sure that those of my peer group, and my generation, will feel this loss also with much verve and gravity. No one will see the likes of that power and majesty, played by the people of that era. Basie, Herman, Ellington, Kenton, Ferguson, Rich, Harry James, Les Brown, Charlie Barnet...

I could go on....More appropriately though, I will let the official MF site post do the talking here.

Rest in peace, MF!!





The following is the official statement released by Maynard's management, respectfully reprinted here.


LEGENDARY MUSICIAN MAYNARD FERGUSON DIES
Grammy Nominated Trumpeter Known for "Gonna Fly Now"
Theme To Movie "ROCKY" was 78

Ojai, CA (August 24, 2006) - Walter "Maynard" Ferguson, one of the most influential musicians and band leaders in the history of Jazz, passed away August 23rd at 8:00 pm Pacific Time at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, California. He was 78 years old. His death was the result of kidney and liver failure brought on by an abdominal infection. Mr. Ferguson's four daughters, Kim, Lisa, Corby, Wilder and other family members were at his side when he passed away after this brief illness. He spoke by phone with his friend and manager Steve Schankman from St. Louis, longtime tour manager Ed Sargent, and friend, and fellow trumpeter Arturo Sandoval.

Mr. Ferguson had recently returned home to California from New York after several sold out performances in July at the famed Blue Note Club. During this time, Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau band also recorded a new album at Bennett Studios in Englewood, New Jersey.


Maynard Ferguson, born May 4th 1928 in Montreal, started his career at the age of 13 when he performed as a featured soloist with the Canadian Broadcasting Company Orchestra. He played with some of the great Big Band Leaders of the 1940's including Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Barnett, Jimmy Dorsey and Stan Kenton. In 1945, at age 17, Ferguson became the leader of his own Big Band.

The 78-year old musical phenomenon went on to record more than 60 albums, receiving numerous honors and awards including the GRAMMY® nomination for "Gonna Fly Now." In 2005, Ferguson was awarded Canada's highest civilian honor, the "Order of Canada" from the Right Honorable Governor General Adrienne Clarkson. In addition to those accolades, Ferguson has been the recipient of DownBeat Magazine's prestigious "DownBeat" Award.



"The Boss," as Ferguson is known, has been performing for packed houses for decades. His recent DVD release, "Live at The Top," captures one of his most memorable performances, a concert held at the Plaza Hotel in Rochester New York in 1975, with Ferguson performing alongside fellow music pioneers Stan Mark, Ernie Garside and Bruce Johnston. Most recently, Ferguson and Big Bop Nouveau Band had been touring the United States. He was preparing for a Fall Tour beginning mid-September in Tokyo, Japan. He had also been invited to play for the King of Thailand's 80th birthday in January.


Mr. Ferguson's body will be cremated in his hometown of Ojai, California. Memorial contributions can be made to the Maynard Ferguson Music Scholarship Fund at University of Missouri - St. Louis, which was established by Steve Schankman at Maynard's 75th birthday celebration. Mr. Schankman and the Ferguson family are planning a memorial concert to take place in St. Louis which will feature many of the band's alumni and friends who Mr. Ferguson performed with during his more than 60-year musical career.

Mr. Ferguson's latest, and last, recording will be released later this year as a legacy to the life of Maynard Ferguson.

how to tune your drum kit

Drummer at Large tuning tips to Go for YOU!!!



Here is something I came across at the world's biggest garage sale....eBay!!!
They do have some wonderful info pages about various things, and this is one
of them on tuning.....
We can always use these tools to make ourselves and our music better!!!

enjoy, c
------------------------------------------
How to Tune Your Drum Kit
by: funstuffnow (powerseller on eBay)

I don't care if you're the World's Best Drummer... if your drum kit isn't tuned it won't sound pretty. With that being said, every drummer needs to be able to tune their drum set. There isn't one correct way to tune your drums, however, there are some basic rules you can follow to achieve the best results. It's always recommended that you tune your drums before recording or playing live.


Drum Tuning Overview

The most important thing to remember when tuning your drums is to keep the tension as even as possible around each drum head. Below are some general rules you should follow:
1) Use your drum key to remove all of the heads.
2) Before mounting the head, check the bearing edge for roughness or bumps.
3) Lay the head on the shell, mount the rim, and screw each tension rod in finger-tight first.
4) With a drum key, tighten each rod one full turn (360 degrees). (ed.note....as the drum pitch goes up, lessen the amount of a turn)
5) Tune one lug, and then tune the lug on its opposite side (180 degrees away). The drum tunes better when you don't tune these lugs in a circular sequence.

         
Tuning the Snare Drum

Follow these instructions to tune your snare drum:
1) Turn the snares off.
2) Tune the top head first. Turn each lug clockwise to increase the tension of the head and make the drum's pitch higher.
3) Tune one lug, and then tune the lug on its opposite side.
4) Repeat this sequence with the bottom head.
5) Test the pitch of each lug when finished by tapping about 1 inch away from the lug with a pencil eraser. Don't use a drumstick... it could break the head.
6) If there are any lugs that don't have the same pitch, adjust it accordingly, keeping in mind that tightening it gives the drum a higher pitch.
7) Once you know that all the lugs have equal pitch... your snare drum is tuned.

Tuning the Toms

Below are the instructions on how to tune your toms:
1) Tune the bottom head of each tom first.
2) Use the same tuning technique that you used to tune the snare... tuning each lug and then its opposite.
3) Tune the top head when the bottom head is finished. The top head is where the pitch is generated, so it's crucial to have an idea of what pitch you want to tune to... this usually depends on the style of music you play.
4) Check each lug's pitch so that it matches the others by tapping 1 inch away from the lug with a pencil eraser.
5) If you have more than one tom, most drummers like to tune their toms a 4th apart. To do this, sing the first two notes of "Here Comes the Bride" The notes of "Here" and "Comes" are a 4th apart... use this as your reference for pitch.

Tuning the Bass Drum

Below are the instructions on how to tune your bass drum:
1) Tune the front head first. You shouldn't spend too much time doing this because this head doesn't have much impact on the sound of the drum.
2) Tune each lug of the back head (the head that the pedal hits) using the technique used to tune the other drums.
3) Make sure your drum is tuned neither too high nor too low. Bass drum sounds really depend on the style of music you're playing and how much impact the drum has with the group you play with.

This is the basics of tuning your drum kit, and as stated some of it depends on the style of music you play. Some bands are easily recognized by the sound of a particular drum and that usually has to do with how they tuned it so they could get that uniqe pitch. The more you tune your drums, the better you will become and the more familiar you will be. I recommend listening to other drummers you like and try and tune your drums accordingly.

Thanks for reading this guide!!

disappear fear!!!!!

This letter was written by sonia of the band disappear fear, a politically charged lightning bolt of truth that travels on the wings of wonderful music.

I met sonia rutsteyn

while she was in town a few years ago producing Lynn Frances Anderson's album "Beautiful Morning", of which I played on the balance of the tracking for the album. It was a fun experience, and she graciously painted a canvas of me, which has occupied a spot in my home for all to see. It was a beautiful gesture, and a testement to what sonia is all about...a lot of giving to the well being of the atmosphere at hand.

She (and her musical partner Terry) are a voice to be reckoned with, and she sends me (and her ferverent following) communiques from the road from time to time. Word search "Disappear Fear" and you will get to Sonia and her message.

This is from her 8/13/06 newsletter from the band. sonia's post starts below the dotted line.

thanks, c

---------------------------------

please excuse the capitol letters
i was writing this on a mostly hebrew computer today
/thank you

dear Folks,

I AM SITTING 6,000 MILES FROM MY NICE LITTLE BALTIMORE HOME IN A COUNTRY THAT I LOVE THAT IS BEAUTIFUL AND TORN IN WAR. IT IS EASY TO BE JEWISH AND COMFORTABLE IN AMERICA WHILE SOLDIERS IN ISRAEL AND LEBANON SHOOT TO KILL.

THIS IS REAL.

ALTHOUGH THE HORRIBLE CRIME RATE IN THE STATES IS DANGEROUS AND DISGUSTING, I HAVE NEVER IN MY LIFE BEEN LIVING, BREATHING, WORKING, SLEEPING IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE AT ANY MOMENT, IN A SPLIT SECOND A MISSLE COULD DEMOLISH ME AND MY WORLD.

THERE IS NO LOOKING UP AND SAYING "OH I CAN RUN THIS WAY"...
IT HAPPENS SO FAST YOU DON'T EVEN SEE IT.

THERE IS NO CHOICE.
YOU ARE JUST GONE.

SO THE WORLD I LIVED IN, EARLIER THIS WEEK, IN SHORASHIM WHERE 160 MISSLES ARE LAUNCHED AT US EVERY DAY FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS HAS BEEN A NEW LEVEL OF LIFE, NOT A NEW LEVEL OF FEAR.

THE FEAR IS FAMILIAR. SOMETHING I CANNOT CONTROL.
LIKE BAD TURBULANCE ON A PLANE. OR DODGING TORNADOS ACROSS ARKANSAS LIKE WE DID LAST SUMMER, OR THE OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS.

BUT THIS WORK OF WAR IS INTENTIONAL, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE AND YET,
WHEN YOU STAND HERE WHEN YOU LOOK UP AT THE SKY OR WALK ON THE STONES THAT THE JESUS WALKED ON, THAT MOSES LED US TO, THAT MOHAMMED PREACHED FROM, IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE TO UNDERSTAND THAT OF COURSE THIS PASSION FOR GOD, FOR THE UNDERSTANDING OF WHO WE ARE AND WHY THE HECK WE ARE BREATHING ON THIS EARTH TODAY.

IN LIVING LIFE WITH THE BACKGROUND OF DEATH YOU HAVE A GREATER APPRECIATION OF LIFE OF THE DELIBERATE ACTION OF YOUR TIME; AS YOU HAVE IN AMERICA WTIH THE POSSIBILITY OF CRIME AND BAD WEATHER.

BUT HERE, WITH DEATH IN THE FORGROUND, LIFE IS TRULY IRREPLACEABLE...

EVERY MOMENT, EVERY BLACKBERRY AND I MEAN DRIPPING BLACKBERRY HAS NEVER SEEMED MORE SENSATIONAL. MORE VOLUPTUOUS, RICHER, LOUDER, OR THE ACUTE AWARENSES OF NO SOUND AND PERFECTION OF PEACE NO ROCKETS NO PLANES NO COPTERS ONLY WAVES OR WIND OR WILD DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY...

THE SOUNDLESS SOUND OF BABY TURTLES CRYING.

I NAMED THE BAND "DISAPPEAR FEAR", IT WAS NOT A WHIM...

IT WAS THAT WHEN RICK, MY BROTHER TOLD ME WHEN I WAS 10 THERE WAS A BOMB THAT COULD KILL EVERY ONE ON THE PLANET, BUT THAT MUSIC COULD STOP IT.

I KNEW HOW IMPORTANT MUSIC WAS TO OUR SURVIVAL AND SO IN MY SMALL GIGANTIC VOICE I TAKE THIS GUITAR AND SING ABOUT COMPLETING THIS CIRCLE OF HUMANITY...

THE BOTTOM LINE IS TERRY AND I ARE FINE.

I DID MY FIRST CONCERT IN A BOMB SHELTER, A MIKLAT, AND THE NIGHT WAS AMAZING, I PERFORMED OUTSIDE AT THE HAROLD'S HOOT AND IT WAS BEAUTIFUL A WARM SUMMER EVENING OUTSIDE WITH LIT CANDLES AND I WAS ACCOMPANIED BY HOWLING DOGS ON MY BLUES SONGS...

IN TUNE ACTUALLY... ANOTHER MIRACLE.

I CAN IDENTIFY WITH ISRAEL IN MY HEART AND IT DEEPENS AS THE BOMBS FALL AND THE BULLETS SPRAY, THAT ONE COUNTRY SO SMALL JUST WANTS TO SING HER OWN SONG...

I DON'T EXONERATE ISRAEL FOR ALL HER PRACTICES BUT I DO UNDERSTAND HER QUEST AND I WILL STAND UNDER HER QUEST.

THEY TELL US THE CEASE FIRE STARTS AT 7 AM TOMORROW
THAT IS ABOUT THE TIME AMERICA GOES TO SLEEP.

HERE IN TEL AVIV WE WILL BE WAKING UP AND HOPEFULLY GETTING BACK TO WORK AND RE THINKING THE PLAN.

WE FLY HOME ON THURSDAY UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN BE SAFE, FLY HIGH. DISAPPEAR FEAR, ALREADY. A BIG THANK YOU TO LAURA AND NANCY BACK HOME AND TO LARRY AND IRIT HERE IN ISRAEL AND SO MANY OF YOU WHO HAVE WRITTEN TO ME..

I HOPE YOU COME HERE AND SWIM IN THIS SEA AND EAT LEBONESE FALAFEL AND VISIT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WALL ...

but for now...

KISS YOUR CHILDREN AND YOUR LOVED ONES WHILE YOU CAN.

with love,
sonia


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Music Making On The Rise In The U.S.

this was sent to me by fellow drummer and webmaster Boyd Martin, and is very interesting, given the present climate with music, education in the country, present administration, etc....

enjoy and as always, feel free to comment,
c



Business News [08-23-2006]
http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=92645

Music Making On The Rise In The U.S.

A new U.S. Gallup Poll reveals Americans of all ages are continuing to pursue music making and offers insight into the attitudes behind this passion as part of the 2006 Music USA: NAMM Global Report.

NAMM, the trade association for the international music products industry, has released the 2006 Music USA: NAMM Global Report, a state of the industry focusing on trends, sales and music education issues from around the world. The report -- which covers a broad spectrum of music industry segments from grand pianos, to DJ gear, to violins, to electric guitars -- reveals interesting data on the industry and attitudes toward music making:

- Americans are making more music than any other nationality. The U.S. market accounts for 42.7% of musical instrument purchases, followed by Japan at 15.6% and U.K. at 6.7%

- More than one-half of U.S. households (52%) has at least one person, age 5 or older, who currently plays a musical instrument -- a sharp contrast compared to the United Kingdom at 37% and Australia* at 36%

- 40% of U.S. households have two or more musicians

- More women (51%) play musical instruments than men (49%)

- The fastest growing segment of music makers is between the ages of 18 and 34; an increase of 5% percent since 2003

- More people are encouraged by their parents to take up an instrument (37%) than become interested on their own (29%), or are encouraged by a teacher (17%) or someone else (16%)

*2001 data

- Almost three-quarters of survey participants started playing before the age of 11

- The number of people participating in school instrumental music activities and private lessons increased by 11% since 2003

The report also highlights attitudes behind these trends: - 85% of Americans believe that music is a very important part of their life

- 82% of Americans wish they had learned to play a musical instrument, and 67% expressed an interest in learning to play

- 94% of respondents believe music is part of a well-rounded education, and that schools should offer instrument music instruction as part of the regular curriculum

- 85% believe participation in school music corresponds with better grades and higher test scores

- Seniors are turning to music making as not just an enjoyable pastime, but also for the health and wellness benefits such as enhanced immune systems, stress reduction, and staving off depression and loneliness

"With more emerging research linking active music making to a host of educational and health benefits as well as being a source of expressing creativity and having fun, it's only natural to see an increase in playing across every U.S. demographic group," said Joe Lamond, president and CEO, NAMM. "More Americans are discovering that you don't have to be a 'musician' to enjoy the proven benefits and enjoyment of playing music."

The music products industry's 16 million unit transactions last year in the U.S. alone show that the industry reaches a broad swath of the population. As more people learn about the benefits of playing music, the industry expects to see America's fondness for music making continue.

In addition to the U.S. data, the 2006 Music USA report also features industry trends on different market segments and offers a global overview of the music products industry by featuring data from nine countries: Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain and The United Kingdom.

Guitars and Pianos -- America's Favorites
- Guitars are currently the highest selling musical instruments in America -- approx. 3.4 million sold in 2005

- In the last two years, the electric guitar has caught up to the acoustic guir as per unit sales are becoming even at just over 1.6 million each

- Overall, the fretted products industry is a $1.4 billion dollar industry in the U.S.

- Yet still more Americans play the piano (31%) than the guitar or bass (28%)

--------------------------------------------------

Just thought this was cool...

Boyd Martin
Drum Animal
www.drumanimal.com

Competition in Drumming

I had a conversation with a parent who has had their young musician taking lessons from me for a while now, and they asked me about competition amongst young drummers.

Of course, I try to not encourage the competitiveness of things musical because it always pulls the honest flavor of things out of balance, and it just doesn't serve anyone....listener or performer.

Conversely so, if you are self-competitive...that is to say motivated within your walls to do the right thing to serve the music-at-large and it's requirements, then this is, in my opinion, the right perspective to have.

The great tenor saxophone player Branford Marsalis once said that "the music tells you what to play and what is required of you to portray the essence of what it is", and usually if my students just give a honest reading of what is in front of them, then I am happy for them.

Save the drama for your mama, aspire to play with an honest verve and of course...
come prepared.
This will serve you in the trenches when you are boxing with a worthy mistress...

the MUSIC!!!!

as always,
c

Remembering Bruce Carter

a real Drummer at Large


 Yesterday, I went to Bruce Carter's funeral at Vancouver Avenue Baptist Church, and it was a full house and a testement to the wide respect that he generated with his playing and his genial atmosphere.

I think that he entered his house 'justified' , as Sam Peckinpah would have put it.

Just the sheer number of musicians, and the number of drummers of all disciplines were on hand to pay their respects to someone who rightly deserves that and more from his peers. The church was steamy with many bodies packed in and settling in for what would unfold in more than three hours of service. Many spoken tributes from all walks of PDX's musical family were given, and some were hilariously long in the tooth with their commentary.

Rightfully so, all was forgiven in the spirit of Bruce's memory.
Also spoken were some of the names of Portland's past musical glories...The Soulmasters, Portland Junk, Slickaphonics, The Gangsters...these were some of the names spoken to the gathering that evoked the long history of music in the NE Portland area.

Saxophonist Kenny G, Bruce's employer for many years, recalled during his touching eulogy that he personally had played with BC for a total of about 20 years, counting their shared stint with The Jeff Lorber Fusion.
His postulation that it never felt the same when he was forced to play with other drummers while BC was recovering from some form of malady in the later years and could not tour, was a shared knowledge in the room of his command over the groove.

Bruce Carter was a mountain of a guy, and even more so, a mountain of talent behind a drumset.
Fearsome chops melded with a killer groove, and there you would have BC.
The rhythmic impression he left you with was a satisfied devastation.

WIthin many albums featuring his long-time commrades, the band PLEASURE, BC guided that juggernaut of Funk Music around with aplomb and style.

Remember this fact... PLEASURE predated Earth, Wind, & Fire with it's heady blend of soulful vocals mixed with instrumentaists who were thinking forward with their creativity and groove.

In honor of Bruce, I have decided to post the newsnet tribute that I put up on rec.musicmakers.percussion for your perusal, and the link for the original Portland Oregonian story is contained in the first post from me.
There is also a second tribute from Marty Hughley, which will make itself available in the September archives of this blog.

Many condolences to Esther, his wife, and Bruce Jr., his son.

We all will miss him.....


From: soulbol - view profile
Date: Mon, Aug 14 2006 8:56 pm
Email: "soulbol"
Groups: rec.music.makers.percussion


This is not the happiest of times in Portland amongst us drummers right
now....

The wonderful, mighty player Bruce Carter, who played drums with the
pioneering soul/funk band Pleasure in the 1970's, then went on to have
a long time stint with Kenny G, was lost to us from a heart attack last
Saturday.

I thought that someone should at least post something, just to let
people know that he is gone, in case some of you were familiar with his
work.

I will post the link to the obit story that came out yesterday.

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1155441...

take care,
carlton


Reply »

 
 
2
From: Ed Pierce - view profile
Date: Mon, Aug 14 2006 9:21 pm
Email: "Ed Pierce"
Groups: rec.music.makers.percussion


soulbol wrote: > This is not the happiest of times in Portland amongst us drummers right > now....

Wow, I was unaware of that.  That is very sad news.  For those not
familiar with Carter, his prowess is well nigh legendary in the
Portland area.  Unfortunately, I never got a chance to see him play
live.  Sean Foote (Linda Hornbuckle's bassist) told me a few months ago
that Bruce had been playing with the band recently, so I was hoping to
get a chance to catch him soon; now I'll never get a chance.

I've heard numerous great things about Bruce Carter from Portland
musicians over the years, but the one I most remember was from
guitarist Jay Koder--in his words, Bruce was simply "bad to the bone."

Thanks for posting this.

Ed Pierce
 
 
3
From: mo - view profile
Date: Tues, Aug 15 2006 7:21 am
Email: "mo"
Groups: rec.music.makers.percussion

f---, that sucks.....
anyone who knows his funk/pocket drummers knows that he was a nasty
mofo. i'll have to play some pleasure today as a tribute.

thanks for letting us know



 
4
From: soulbol - view profile
Date: Tues, Aug 15 2006 11:14 am
Email: "soulbol"
Groups: rec.music.makers.percussion

Hey Ed,

I am truly sorry that you missed out on hearing Bruce, and just what a
sonic force he was...here is a couple of stories to tell of his great
playing.

Recently, I heard a story from Louis Pain here in town about when Carlos Santana was in town for a performance, and Dennis Chambers was feeling under the weather that evening,
and Dennis (who was good friends with BC from a long way back) tried to get
him to come down and sub for him.

No kidding here. That story has been around for a bit...
and eventually I met Dennis out and about  on the road, and the first thing out of his mouth when he found that I was from Portland was " You're from
Portland...where is that big-headed joker Bruce Carter at?????"

After many guffaws on that one. It made me happy that BC had continued to
touch people, even though his profile was not the biggest (even playing
with Kenny G. could'nt clue people into how massive his playing was
when most of the night, it was rimclicks to make the rent with that
gig).

I think that in later years Bruce got to solo on Kenny G's gig, but as I
remember the effect he had with his playing....
It was like seeing Dennis C. with Mike Stern in Amsterdam one time, and after 2 encores, the third was Dennis coming out by himself, and soloing to move mountains,
and to basically shut the audience up and send them home ga ga.....

Bruce was just like, and truly ALL of that...

I do remember hearing Pleasure (a band that virtually predated Earth, Wind, &
Fire, doing the style of music they played) at a place called the Town
Hall in N. Portland many years ago (the early 70s, during their heyday),
and these guys would play their original tunes (from their debut album on Fantasy Records called "Dust Yourself Off"), turn around on a dime and cover stuff like Shake
Your Booty, Skin Tight, Butterfly (Herbie Hancock) and other choice funk stuff from that era.
Gotta pay the rent....

Then when you think that they really couldn't top that...
They would cover something like "Crisis" by Freddie Hubbard, and go
between the latin/swing feels on that song, just minutes after they
filled the dance floor with people.

I guess you got to keep the pimps in the audience happy also with the
crazy stuff :)

The world was at a time when they could handle the musical mix from these guys.

BC's drumhead choice during those years and beyond...clear Remo Ambassador
heads...top and bottom !!!  
He would get this great, wide open smack with this combo.
He played Pin Stripes later on in life, but he was like Steve Gadd in the manner
that only those guys could get a great sound out of those beasts playing Jazz and Funk....

I sure could not do it :)

One more story....
I remember the great local Portland band "Cool 'R" that BC and Nathaniel
Phillips (bass player from Pleasure-the two had the "hook up" really
heavy) both played in for a few years, and hearing them cover the song "Tears" by Missing Persons...
... the signature beat (that Bruce copied from the Terry Bozzio part) still gives me chills
and to see in my mind's eye BC just rockin' out and really aping that part gives me a smile.

He always had that skill to get to what the essence of the moment was,
and the music...to make it breathe and FEEL SO DAMN GOOD!!!

I am sorry that he is gone, and will miss him truly. He always had a kind word for me, and to others.
Aspiring drummers, do your homework on this guy...he is most certainly part of the true lineage of influential players you should know, and it is my true hope that he will live on through this rememberence.

cj

6
From: Kevin Johnson & Debra Grace-Johnson - view profile
Date: Tues, Aug 15 2006 2:22 pm
Email: "Kevin Johnson & Debra Grace-Johnson"
Groups: rec.music.makers.percussion

Man, I am soooo very sorry to hear that.

I'll never forget the first time I heard the band 'Pleasure' on the radio
back in the late 70's/early 80's.  The 'lock' between Bruce and the bass
player was a master lesson in groove playing and how to get deeeeep in the
pocket.  The 4 bar pattern Bruce plays on 'Glide' just mesmerized me,
particularly bars 3 and 4 where he chops the funk up so beautifully -- talk
about 'greasy' !!  I'm so glad to see some of you Portland homeboys giving
Mr. Carter his props, and hopefully turning on some folks to his playing who
may not be familiar with it.  The dude was a terror.  He will be missed.

~ peace, Kevin J.

the first post of any note from CJ

Hey friends, it is Tuesday and I am trying the new blog...
I do hope it works, and tonight I am at Duff's Garage (SE 7th & Clay) with Dover Weinberg Quartet...
We start at 8:30PM
Please come see us!!!
c

Into the Brave, New World of the Blogsphere!

Welcome to my blogspot !!!

This is a humble attempt to keep you up-to-date on what's going on in my world:

Gigs, concerts, workshops, and any other interesting things that I can pass along that will help you track down the "drummer at large" in action somewhere out and about.

I do also see this blogspot as a place where all of us can come and share what is on our minds, and to enrich others with your posts.
It is interactive, and that is how I would like to see things blossom here.

Please feel free to leave comments and questions and I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks for stopping by and bigger thanks to the mighty, mighty Brent Rogers who constructed this blog and website for me.
There is a contact tab for the Webmaster on the Home page to get in touch with Brent
(if you so desire) to give him some of your filthy lucre to do web work for you, and your new page perhaps :)

-CJ