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A country-fied prairie hybrid of blues and jazz.
Featuring Ian Tyson, Amos Garrett and Johnny V
Genre:
Blues: Rockin' Blues
Release Date:
2005
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Clarkology
Mike Clark
© Copyright-Michael P. Clark
(623667210591)
Record Label: Mike Clark
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Who is Mike Clark?
Mike Clark walked on stage more than two decades ago to begin his tenure as a blues, roots and jazz saxophonist. While studying for a Bachelor's degree in music at the University of British Columbia his artistry evolved and matured in the nightclubs of Vancouver and the lower mainland districts. Upon receiving his degree, he accepted a high school teaching position and continued performing in clubs and concert settings throughout the province.
In 1989 Mike's career as a professional musician took centre stage when he moved to Calgary. Within weeks of his arrival he was hired to perform with the legendary Clarence "Big" Miller. Mike's huge tone, authentic approach and expressive solos was the calling card he used to introduce himself to the hierarchy of performers in the city and expeditiously established himself as the number one call saxophonist on the blues and roots scene.
Mike truly is one of Canada's premiere blues and roots artists and was recently nominated for a Maple Blues Award in the category of "Horn Player of the Year". He's performed with Albert Collins, Son Seals, Amos Garrett, The Downchild Bluesband, and Dutch Mason to name a few. He's recorded with Johnny V (If My Daddy Could See Me Now), Donald Ray Johnson (Pure Pleasure), Tim Williams (Live at Kaos), Ray Montana (Hip October), Steve Pineo (Steve Pineo with Horns) and can be heard on many other sessions. For the past 15 years Mike has hosted the popular Saturday afternoon jam at Morgans Pub and now with two solo recordings under his belt (Saxman and Clarkology) he's assembled his own band in order to showcase his songwriting, singing and arranging prowess.
The core of The Mike Clark Band consists of Greg Carroll on bass, and Thom Moon on drums, a veteran rhythm section that's well-versed in the mastery of playing music as opposed to playing songs. On guitars are two of Canada's finest, Amos Garrett and Johnny V, both are well known for fronting their own projects, but always have time to perform with this dynamic unit. Add the "Where's My Money" horn section of Danny Michaels and Pete Fischer on saxes, along with Corby Dorner on piano and keyboards and you have The Mike Clark Big Band. Given sufficient notice, either version of these bands can be readied for your auditory titillation.
© 2005 Mike Clark
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author: Maple Blues Magazine Jon Valentyn
The Mike Clark Band Clarkology MCSAX2004
Mike Clark is a tenor saxman from Calgary who has turned into a triple threat, adding songwriting and singing to his arsenal. And he has some powerful friends in Amos Garrett & Johnny V on guitars, Ron Casat on keys and Ian Tyson on harmony vocals & rehearsal hall rentals. Greg Carroll on bass and Thom Moon on drums round out the band. Their first CD, Saxman, received good reviews and that may have had something to do with his nomination for Horn Player of the Year. It certainly seems to have resulted in a jump in confidence. It Clark wrote all the songs and generally on topics and styles from the American south. He opens with a tribute to Buckwheat Zydeco and CJ Chenier, "Zydeco Man", with Casat on accordion. "Huggy Drunk" worked as a drinking song on the last one, so here's "Forget About You", equally effective and with great solos from Johnny V & Clark. The swampy "Morning After Blues" needs no explanation except as to how Clark is going to perform this while playing all the parts of the large sax section! It also features a solid slide solo from Johnny and Clark's best vocal turn. The best song here is "Alibis and Lies", a marvelous slab of blue eyed soul that should be a single. The sax/organ lines are perfect. Tyson's farmhouse is the "Stone House", a gentle acoustic country song on which Tyson does the harmony vocal. Another song that deserves mention is "Tribute to Big" for Clarence "Big" Miller, the KC shouter who made Alberta his home. Again, Clark handles all the sax parts and does a creditable job as a shouter. Clark was here for the Summit and guested at the all star jam after the awards. This CD isn't at www.mikeclarkband.com yet but I'm sure he'll get one to you if you contact him.
John Valentyn
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