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My name is Aum Mu Ra El, I am a "Free-Axe" (freelance), self-instructed lead/rhythm guitarist. I love all types of music, but I really like jazz and rock. I was born & raised in Chicago living with a host of family members who listened to just about everything musically. I became fond of singing at an early age and was often coerced into singing before various strangers and family members alike. Instrumentally, my childhood's first desire was to play piano due to my love of Patrice Rushen and the keyboard work of Earth, Wind & Fire's Larry Dunn. However, due to lack of family funds & support that dream was cut short.

Adolesence began the emergence of my love for guitar. My mom didn't agree with the fact that I wanted to play guitar because she had visions of me being "strung-out" on drugs or something. Maybe it was the fact that I was heavily influenced by KISS' Ace Frehley and she was heavily involved in "the church" (insert dramatic music here). Nevertheless, as most children would, I followed my heart and learned to play anyway ("drug-free"). MelBay books, records and radio became my guitar instructors and I was catching on fast. I developed a natural, yet uncanny knack for picking up chords and melodies by ear and I played for the sheer enjoyment of it. I was also fortunate enough to have the influence of some great guitarists around my South side, Chicago neighborhood.

During high school, a close friend of mine introduced me to the music of Van Halen and my guitar playing abilities opened up even more. I spent hours days and nights listening to, and playing along with Van Halen recordings. I didn't quite sound like him but I kept trying. One night after playing guitar and listening to Van Halen a few hours, I decided to make a habit of sleeping while listening to VH's first CD, when one day, upon waking the next morning and plugging my cheap guitar into my "cracker box" (my patented name for cheap amplifiers sold at Sears), I'd miraculously coped most of Edward Van Halen's tricks and techniques even to the point of playing "Eruption".

Now I'm more into learning progressive guitar (i.e. Paul Gilbert, Greg Howe, Steve Vai, etc.) and developing "sweep/economy-picking" techniques or what I call "next level" guitar. Guitar, to me, as in life, is about stretching the boundaries and having the ability to fit into any genre. It's about expressing the Universal force on the Earth plane.

Live performances: I've had the pleasure of performing or sharing the stage with artists: Sy Smith, Lizz Fields, Ursula Rucker, Yahzarah (a.k.a. Purple St. James), Eric Roberson, Kindred (the Family Soul), Kem, Rhian Benson, Bilal & others. I plan to continue growing in the direction of live performance.

Check out the Sy Smith interview & show (clip) courtesy of BLK Diamond Megaphone® (Please pause or stop music player above first.)

w/Aniba Hotep & The Sol Collective: Live @ The House Of Blues (Chicago) 07/30/09

Let's Do It Again

w/Aniba Hotep & The Sol Collective:

I am also a freelance illustrator and graphic designer. My work can be viewed at: myspace.com/ragroupart