Greetings to all,
I just wanted to write a quick note letting you all know that some tracks from "Resonance" will be played on Jazz 91 FM out of Toronto Canada. Visit http://www.jazz.fm/ between 1-1:30PM for live streaming radio or tune in if it's in your FM reach. If you like what you hear, please let them know what you think. Every bit helps!
All the very best to you, and as always, thank you for the support.
More to come,
Joey
During the Sixties and Seventies, my father played the baritone horn with St. Joe’s drum corps, of Batavia, NY. Almost twenty years after the corps had folded, he played a major roll in the resurrection and organization of the Mighty St. Joe’s Alumni Corps. Founded in 1990 by ten former members or the once World Championship caliber corps, the organization is still running strong and entertaining thousands of fans every year.
Although I was to young to be a member of St. Joe’s alumni, I wore the shirt, often tagging along with my Dad to rehearsals and shows; learning what I could from the great soloists that wailed above the Mighty, Joe’s ensemble.
This clip is from Harrisburg, PA in April of 1994. Mighty St. Joe’s had performed at their annual “Serenade in Brass.” After all the corps had performed, they decided to have an organized “jam” featuring members from all corps that performed. The chart was written by brilliant writer/arranger/guru Larry Kerchner.
Because of my age, they were not going to allow me to play an improv. Solo. Thankfully, friend, teacher and soloist extraordinaire Donny Allen spoke up in my behalf and landed me a spot in the line up. I didn’t have much else going on, but I had that double G, (on Bugle, E on trumpet) so I milked it to the max. I’ll never forget feeling that first rush of excitement through my veins, it was intoxicating, and the crowd kept feeding me. Thinking back, this proved to be a defining moment in my life; performing and entertaining was my destiny.
This clip is from October, 21st 2005 in Erie, PA.
After my stint with Maynard’s Big Bop Nouveau Band, I got a few opportunities to visit the band when they came through my neck of the woods. It was always great to see my friends and watch their ever-electric performance! My friends involved with the Erie Thunderbirds drum & bugle corps www.eriethunderbirds.com (hailing from Erie, PA) had brought in “the Boss” to perform at their milestone banquet.
Maynard played to a packed house and wowed the crowd with his usual stratospheric swagger. To my surprise, Maynard invited me up to sit in on the “MF Hit Medley”; and perform the opening solo “MacArthur Park”. Absolutely cold, I blew a few notes and was off to the races! Maynard’s energy was in me that night.
Years later, a short clip has surfaced from the archives of Mr. Joe Miller. A thousand thanks to Joe for sharing this and allowing me to relive this amazing moment. Little did I know that this would be one of the last times I’d hang with “the Boss”. Please enjoy!
