Trumpet- Al Hirt, Raphael Méndez, Maynard Ferguson, Clifford Brown, Louis Armstrong, Bunny Berrigan, Clyde Hurley, Dick Cathcart, Herb Alpert(!).
Trombone- Frank Rosolino, Carl Fontana, Bob McChesney, Trummy Young, Ray Conniff.
Guitar- Eddie Van Halen, David Gilmour, Eric Clapton, Joe Walsh, Mike Stern.
Tap Dance- Gregory Hines, Savion Glover, Sammy Davis, Jr., Bill Robinson, Fred Astaire, Steve Condos, Mike Rainey, Jimmy Fisher.
I began my musical career at the tender age of 5. My father played the trumpet, so naturally I wanted to. He tells me I was bugging him to play at age 4, but I was too small to hold a cornet. He gave me a mouthpiece and said "When you can play Happy Birthday on the mouthpiece, I'll let you play the cornet." I blew on the mouthpiece for a year. By the time I stuck the mouthpiece into the horn, my chops were pretty well formed. 1966 was the year, and Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass were huge then. My father bought the sheet music for their songs, and wrote the fingerings on pieces of cardboard, since I couldn't read music (I couldn't even read words yet!). I would put the LPs on the phonograph and play by ear using just the fingerings, to entire sides of Herb Alpert records in one sitting! In my mind I wasn't practicing, I was just having fun. But that was all I needed. I got into the school music program in 5th grade, and began trying other instruments. I played trombone in the Halloween parade with our marching band my 8th grade year. I arranged the "Hogan's Heroes" theme song, and none of our trombones could play the counter melody, so I stepped in. I picked up guitar my junior year in high school and began transcribing rock guitar solos. I also got into recording myself, trying stuff with reel-to-reel and cassettes. I got a full ride scholarship, and graduated with a Bachelor in Music Performance from Arizona State University in 1985. I helped form the Side Street Strutters Jazz Band while at ASU, and the band became the house jazz band at Disneyland in 1985. In 1997, I picked up the trombone again, and also tap dance. I enjoyed tap dancing so much, I developed a system of notation for tap on a musical staff. I'm in the process of developing a teaching method for it, and will hopefully begin teaching tap dance as a musical instrument soon. My biggest project so far is the recording of Granada, found in my music player. I recorded the song in my bedroom studio. I also wrote the arrangement, and played all the instruments, which include:
4 trumpets, 4 trombones, 3 acoustic guitars, acoustic upright bass, 10 tap dancers and various percussion.
This tune is indicative of the direction I'd like to go with tap dancing in music. Stay tuned!
DJ unKnown Returns To Voce' 5 . 14 . 09 - Past Thurs evening 9p - Midnight [Live Footage]
WITH
DOMINIC AMATO & MIQUEL MELGOZA
"A unique mix of ambient lounge, R&B and Jazz with live Saxophone & Percussion" www.voceristoranteandlounge.com
hello, grag i was really intrested in all of your videos and you are really amazing at what you do i was just wondering what intrument is your favorite and i really wish i could come to one of your concerts someday if you ever came to my town in lockport i will love music and want to become a music teacher one day
Congratulations on your book! I admit, Im just a touch envious...my life goal...to be published :-) Merry Christmas and happiest of New Years to you and your family! Hugs, Terri
No, unfortunately, I have to hang around Az for a while longer, although I'm trying to make this time useful, working on my bebop drumming skills, and playing a little bit of conga, too. Are you working much around town? I'd love to come out and see you play sometime, and yes, I am fairly free these days, and I'd love to hang out and make some rhythmic noises with you sometime soon. Let me know what you've been up to. Hope all is well with you!
hey greg,how have you been and your family? I see you will be in Silver city, this is an awsome town! So artistic. All the best, hope we'll have the chance to play together again before we leave for Brazil! Big kiss xxx Salomé
