This is by no means a comprehensive list, and is in no particular order: Mike Brecker, Branford Marsalis, Stan Getz, Paul Desmond, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Cannonball Adderley, Sonny Rollins, Kenny Garrett, Clifford Scott, Johnny Griffin, John Coltrane, Pat Metheny, Keith Jarrett, Duke Ellington, Chet Baker, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Ani DiFranco, Ryan Adams, Old 97's, Jeff Buckley, Chris Whitley, Wilco, Prince, The Police, Led Zeppelin, Steely Dan, U2, The Cure, DMB, Van Morrison, Neil Young, Underworld, Elliot Smith, Tom Waits, Foo Fighters, Bruce Springsteen, Leona Naess, The Band, The Beatles, etc...
Up to this point in my life, I've think I've been the classic wandering soul. In the last ten years I've lived in Illinois, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Florida, Japan, New York City, on cruise ships and tour buses, and presently Washington, DC. After a national tour two years ago with the musical "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," I decided to return to the relative comfort of the DC area and actually try to stay in one place for a bit... we'll see how long that lasts. For the record, I'm a musician, singer, and songwriter who plays all the saxophones, plus the guitar, flute, clarinet, and piano.
I think there are a couple of reasons why I've spent the last ten years traveling: one, I needed to scratch a huge traveling itch. Two, I wanted to recapture the passion for music that I had with my first original band several years ago. In the time since that band, I've racked up all kinds of experience- playing with and opening for some big names (Carlos Santana, Modern English, Ben Vereen, Frankie Avalon, The Platters, Maureen McGovern, 5th Dimension, among others) playing in gospel church, doing national broadway tours (Grease, with Frankie Avalon, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes) doing time in Las Vegas casino bands, and playing jazz, rock, funk, blues, and anything else you could think of in more bands and situations than I can remember.
So now I'm in DC, performing often on both guitar and saxophone. I'm focusing more on my own songs, and on getting them up and out for people to hear.
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Ken, you need to get a recording up of Screaming in Stereo. It was really amazing when you performed it at Artomatic and I definitely need some summer driving tunes.
Thanks for the add. We are looking forward to our relocation to the Baltimore scene in June. Hope that we can connect and jam, pick some tunes and network together. Until then. Cheers! Enjoy the music in your soul!
Hey Ken! So glad you wrote. I had a great time talking to you as well...I always love talking music with like-minded artists. Playing at Jammin' Java this Tuesday with my band. I'd love for you to come out, if you can make it. If not, I'm sure we will run into each other again soon...
Good to meet you, briefly! :) If I'm ever down in Adams Morgan when you're playin' I'll definitely stop in - and your travels sound absolutely amazing!!
I miss my friend - it has been forever, every time I think I'm going to come out and surprise you, life gets in the way. Good to see you have been busy with music and creativity. I hope to hear the Christmas song live - - - very soon. I'll def be at Jammin J on the 23rd - posse in tow. I love you Wenzel - call me. M
Hope you can come out on Friday nite to our Rock 4 Kids show! We're teaming up with the excellent Vicious Martinis and Locals Only Radio to collect new toys for the kids who have to be in the hospital over the holidays. There's no cover...just bring an unwrapped toy, large or small, and get in the spirit.
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