For the last ten years or so, I have been traveling around with my friend Jeff Garbaz and his Garbaz.com Visual Screens as a cameraman. Whenever the opportunity presented itself, I would set the camera aside, grab my sax and sit in with the worlds best artists such as Michael Franti, Moe, G-Love & Special Sauce, KDTU, Bob Weir and now Mickey Hart. These sit-ins would eventually lead to me cutting my latest record called Blu, featuring Eric “Kraz” Krasno and Rob Wasserman on a couple tracks. For more on all that hoopla, you can check out 1crittenden.com, but this all about playing with Mickey Hart who is the featured performer at this week's Thursday at the Square.
Nelson Ledges Quarry Park in Ohio is more than just a diamond in the rough. As if the spring-fed quarry, serene setting, hiking/biking trails and amazing people aren’t enough, this isn’t just a camping spot, but one of the best festival venues I have ever attended.
Their July 4th celebration was off the chain with stellar line-ups on two stages. On Thursday night was Moe, Friday was Mickey Hart and Saturday was a very polished and focused George Clinton and P-Funk, complete with ultra sexy Kim Manning, Star Child and the rest of the freaky-funk bunch. But back to Mickey.
During Mickey’s set I noticed something familiar about the lead singer, but couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Then it hit me…it was Jen Durkin of Deep Banana Blackout, Bernie Worrell and Bomb Squad! Well, we go way back from my days with The Waz about 7 years ago. It was a great reunion, during which she asked if I wanted to sit in on “Eyes of the World”, of course I said yes, but then she mentioned it to Mickey and he looked at me without hesitation and said with a chuckle, “I hate %$#@in’ sax players, and I told Branford [Marsalis] that too!” As a professional musician you learn to go into all things with no expectations…but I certainly didn’t expect that. I just about fell out laughing and requested that he please indulge me with a reason, and he did.
He explained that he was in the Air Force for 4 years, and he played in the NCO band. At that time Glen Miller was the big fish, so all the bands were playing his stuff. In this case, the bandleader thought it prudent to arrange the music for tenor saxes. Mickey said there were 4-5 tenors, a trumpet and/or alto and a rhythm section, which he was in. He then went on to say that they never played in tune. Then he put his hands on my shoulders, looked me dead in the eyes, began to shake me and said, “…and it DROVE ME %$#@IN’ CRAZY…REALLY %$#@IN’ CRAZY…so it’s nothing personal…”
Jen looked mortified, as if she couldn’t believe he'd said that. The people at the table were sort of amazed but more amused because they obviously knew him. About ten minutes later he turned to me and said, “Maybe you can help me overcome my phobia. Since you played with Bobby you must be alright, BUT if you %$#@ up or play out of tune you WILL be sacrificed and I will let them [the rest of the band] turn you into a drum!” He turned and walked away. Three songs into the second set, “Eyes of the World” was on, and all eyes were on me. When I got up there, there were no extra in-ears and the monitor I was promised was not there, nor were they playing it in E. After doing the chromatic thing to find out which key they were in, I chose the ten notes I knew would work across the changes and played into the moment, trading licks with Steve Kimock.
Trading with Kimock was an insane experience, and I have to say that playing with an all-star band like that was like a dream come true! The crowd went nuts, and the band feedback and backstage artist feed back was sweet. I didn’t get a chance to talk with Mickey after the show, but since I am not a writing/talking drum, I think I did alright. Thanks Mickey!
Be sure to catch Mickey in Buffalo at this week's Thursday @ The Square!!!!!
Photo courtesy of Manolo @ http://www.mickeyhart.net/visuals/green_apple08.html