SEEKING
Band to Join, Vocalist, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, Trumpet, Saxophone, Keyboard, Piano, Harmonica, Flute, Banjo, Fiddle, Trombone, Upright bass, Accordion, Ukulele, Clarinet.ABOUT
I started to play 'old-timey' banjo in 1963 (there was a brief quarrel with the clarinet in the mid-to-late '50s). Then I bought a 12-string guitar in 1964 to be like Leadbelly. I also picked-up a bit of veena and koto. I arrived in California long, long ago as a singer/performer/instructor in a Jogya-style gamelan.
I have degrees in composition and ethnomusicology, but these days I function as a musician in 20th century American aural traditions. Older musics are fun and exciting in and of themselves, and my experience with free-jazz and aleatory composition has given me a basis for appreciating them that is somewhat different than many other musicians.
Hear me on that service that rhymes with "round"+"loud" at Marko47. You are also free to contact me on Google email using "reverend (dot) mark (dot) j". I am an ordained minister (Universal Life Church), but the moniker actually came from a bevy of Oakland AME church-ladies in the early 1970s ("he talk jus' like a reverend...")
I play for fun, and love to share with an audience. Ragtime, "race" music, swing, folk, be-bop & doo-wop. Definitely acknowledge the need to rehearse, but prefer not to do the same thing every time...
- Screen name:
- Reverend_Mark
- Member since:
- Nov 06 2016
- Active within 1 week
- Level of commitment:
- Committed
- Years playing music:
- 55
- Gigs played:
- Over 100
- Tend to practice:
- More than 3 times per week
- Available to gig:
- 1 night a week
Influences
Leadbelly, Frederic Rzewski, Sam Rivers, John Fahey, Kyi Notoprojo, John Cage, Rosetta Tharpe.
Currently in my (solo) repertoire you'll hear numbers by Andy Kirk, Buddy Johnson, Carole King, The Delmore Brothers, the Fisk Jubilee Singers, Rev. Gary Davis, George Gershwin, Herbie Hancock, Leadbelly, Sammy Timberg, and more...
Instrument experience:
- Rhythm Guitar:
- Expert
- Acoustic Guitar:
- Advanced
- Vocalist - Baritone:
- Moderate
- Background Singer:
- Moderate
- Banjo:
- Intermediate
EQUIPMENT
Guitars: Yamaha Martin Taylor model archtop, CF Martin acoustic dread, Cort 'Matt Murphy', Ibanez AF75 with Kent Armstrong custom-wound p/u's
Other instruments I have and play: banjo, octve guitar, Ttiple, ukule'le, mandolin, bandurria, lap steel, sitar, cello. Also around the house: clarinets, trumpet, pianos, saxophones (Eb & Bb), &c...
Amps: Polytone Taurus, Bugera 22, ZT Acoustic (when you're 75 you appreciate light equipment).
Microphones: EV ND76, Shure and AT headsets
MUSIC
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Since I Fell for You
Since I Fell for You Genre: Jazz
Buddy Johnson's standard was written in 1936, and is best known for the Lloyd Price cover. Re-imagined for a G/B/D trio
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Dancing In The Streets
Dancing In The Streets Year: 2010 Genre: Classic Rock
Marvin Gaye penned this number that established Motown as a powerhouse in the early 1960s
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Mister Christopher Columbus
Mister Christopher Columbus Year: 2018 Genre: R&B
A rehearsal solo (guitar/voice) on this KC-style tune made famous by Benny Goodman, Dinah Washington, and Jim Kweskin.
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Trouble In Mind
Trouble In Mind Genre: Americana
Written in 1926, and covered by everybody from Nina to Janis. My arrangement is based on Bill Doggett's arrangement for the Lucky Millinder Orchestra.
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Act Right
Act Right Genre: Christian / Gospel
Sister Wynona Carr had a number of gospel / R&B hits for Specialty Records in the late 1940s and early 1950s. I arranged the song and play guitar.
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Teardrops
Teardrops Year: 2013 Genre: R&B
Vocalist backed by G/B/D. I did this arrangement and played guitar here. This Rudy Toombs tune was a hit for Ruth Brown in 1950.
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Weather Man
Weather Man Year: 2009 Genre: Christian / Gospel
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BROTHERLY LOVE (Video)
BROTHERLY LOVE (Video)CeU6Roz4h24
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Out of the spotlight [2010] (Video)
Out of the spotlight [2010] (Video)0HTmwN5AJg8