Charlie Parker, Paul Desmond, Eric Dolphy, Gary Bartz, Kenny Garrett, Cannonball Adderley, David Sanborn, Ornette Coleman, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, Michael Brecker, Dexter Gordon, Sonny Stitt, Lester Young, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett, Miles Davis, Everette Harp, Brandon Fields, Maceo Parker, Prince, The Roots, Mos Def, Meshell NdegeOcello, Marcus Miller, The Police, NIN, Radiohead, Nils Petter Molvaer, Bugge Wesseltoft, Arve Henriksen, Milton Mascimento, Eivind Aarsett, Squarepusher, Photek, Boards of Canada, Scritti Politti, Thievery Corporation, Bjork, The Bays, Classic Sci-Fi Movies.
It wasn't long after we moved to Vegas, that I began to get interested in music. My older brother, Michael had just bought Herbie Hancock’s “Headhunters” album. The first time I heard that record, I knew I wanted to be a musician. At age 9, my parents bought me the alto saxophone I so desperately wanted. Though the salesmen at the music store suggested that I start on clarinet, my parents gave in to my begging and bought the saxophone.
My folks had great music in the house for me to listen to. Great jazz musicians like Dave Brubeck, Paul Desmond, The Crusaders, Grover Washington Jr., and Charlie Parker. To this day, those artists still have an emotional impact on my life. Not just as a musician, but as a person. They changed the way I thought about the world. After a while, the excitement of playing the saxophone wore off and I wanted to quit. My mother wasn’t having it. She insisted that I keep playing. Today, I am grateful she made me stick with it.
After high school, I enrolled at UNLV then later, transferred to Berklee College of Music in Boston. It was a great learning experience being on my own for the first time and being in a more aggressive music environment kept me focused on practicing.
I was a bit of a jazz snob before I got to Berklee. That soon changed when I had the chance to see Miles Davis live. At that time, Miles was playing electric jazz funk. Not exactly bebop! I especially wanted to hear his new alto saxophonist, Kenny Garrett, whom I had met in 1985 at the Village Vanguard jazz club. I was so impressed with his playing, I became more serious about jazz music. That’s when I became a jazz snob! But when I heard him playing funk and playing the HELL out of it, I realized I had been wrong! I needed to be as flexible and open-minded a musician as he was! And when I returned to Vegas, I returned with a more positive attitude toward all music.
In 1989, I began working the casino lounge group circuit which was also a great learning experience. I had to learn different styles of music in order to work. A year later, a friend and I sneaked into Bally’s casino showroom and caught a glimpse of Sheena Easton’s show. Her band sounded great! Incredibly funky with a very Prince-influenced groove. I thought to myself, “I want to be in THAT band”! By 1991, I got my chance! Sheena’s tour manager, Marc St. Louis, saw me playing one night. He introduced himself. We exchanged numbers and 6 months later, I got a call to audition. I got the gig, and performed with her for 8 years.
During my time in Vegas, I've also had the opportunity to back up other great artists such as: Joe Williams, Marlena Shaw, Aretha Franklin, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Clint Holmes and Gladys Knight.
Currently, I'm performing mondays at the Palms Hotel with a great group of guys called Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns and at Caesar's Palace with Bette Midler when she's in town. I’m happily married with two beautiful daughters.
I edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V4.4 (www.strikefile.com/myspace)
Hi my friend, Here my new song "Corcovado" hope you like Brasil... and don't forget Epsilon's World cannot exist without you so don't hesitate to leave comment if you like a lot :) Welcome to the Epsilon's World... Friendly Epsilon You can buy my album here www.cykxincorp.com
Bonjour mon ami, Mon nouveau morceau "Corcovado" j'espère que tu aimes le Brésil... et n'oubli jamais de soutenir ma musique en faisant un commentaire si tu aimes vraiment car le monde d'Epsilon ne peut exister sans toi:) Amicalement Epsilon tu peux acheter mon album ici www.cykxincorp.com
"I Got News For You" Bekka Bramlett's new CD release on Shongaloo Records, is available at CD Baby......NOW!!!! The CD features the HIT SINGLE, rockin' music row, "WHAT'S ON MY MIND" co-written by Tamara Champlin, Dennis Matkosky and Michael Caruso, currently climbing the charts. To purchase the CD visit http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/BekkaBramlett CHECK IT OUT!!!!!!
Also CHECK OUT the DISCIPLES NEW TUNES on their site http://www.myspace.com/michaelsdisciples "For Tessa," "When the Devil Starts to Pray," and "Madelyn." All comments and thoughts appreciated!
By the way, if you are in CA the month of November please check out the Bill Champlin Band promoting his latest release on Dream Makers Music, "No Place Left to Fall," an awesome new album, featuring tunes co-written by Michael Caruso being the title track and "Tuggin' On Your Sleeve." For additional information on the CD and Tour visit http://www.billchamplin.net
thanks for stoppin' by the site and checking out the new CD/DVD "No Place Left to Fall"......the tour is starting in less than 2 weeks so if you are in the area, stop by and check out the new tunes live!!!! bc
We are very excited about playing at such an awesome jazz club. We have some great sets lined up for you, so don't miss it. Friday and Saturday November 20th and 21st, 5:00-8:30p at Andy's Jazz Club in Chicago
Aaron Koppel -Guitar, Matt Nelson; (Lupe Fiasco, Matthew Santos) -Keyboard, Graham Czach; (Chicago Afrobeat Project) -bass, Robert Tucker (Matthew Santos) -drums
Ciao,Phil Thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your stupendous music a lot, compliments ..really. you are one of my prefeitis, I feel great admiration for you, I hope to listen soon to you, in italy .. all the best.. from italy..and good life.. every day neal
Ciao Phil ,Thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your stupendous music a lot, you are fantastic ..really. you are a myth for me;-) talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music. all the best.. from italy neal
