I have a group called GAME.SET.TRAP ... this is the 2nd video we shot in January the day before I left for Sri Lanka for 3 months ... Drake - The Motion ... ft. Ben Foran on electric guitar and Brownman Ali on trumpet and effects ... https://youtube/watch?v=tMGN7GPH3Nc As usual, I have some things I want to say. Im so proud of my guys. Weve spent the summer workshopping, taking everything to a whole other level as a trio. Its crazy to look back at these videos and see what weve done and where we are going. Were trying to develop a new language rooted equally in jazz (soul-based ie: Ray Brown, Ahmad Jamal, Oscar Peterson etc...) and trap/trap-influenced hip-hop (Schoolboy Q, Childish Gambino, J. Cole etc...). Its been an interesting time rehearsing and stopping after 4 bars to talk about what we all played and what we can do better contextually and culturally. I want to thank Darryl Joseph-Dennie and Stacey Shopsowitz for taking this time to help me grow as we all learn this new language together. Now we all know that Benny eats, sleeps, breathes Drake repertoire. The boy destroyed this tune. Hes a rockstar. Period. I miss him so much and I cannot wait to play again in the summer. Last but not least, I want to take the time to thank Brownman. He has been a mentor to me, giving me countless hours of his time in e-mails, lunch breaks, phone calls, and more because he believes in what I am trying to do and supports where Im trying to go. From the arranging process, to the rehearsal process, to the recording setup, to the audio mixing, to the branding, to advice from his publicist on getting a press kit together, and even more to this very day, he has been nothing but supportive, encouraging, and educational. Brown, I cant thank you enough. I dont know if its because were both brown, or that you see me struggling to lead a number of groups at once like you, or that you actually like what Im doing, but I want you and everyone else to know that the experiences that you share and your support is invaluable, eye-opening, and graciously appreciated. This last year of my life being 25 years old (I turn 26 tomorrow) has honestly been the greatest year of my life. I have literally cried tears of joy almost a dozen times because I never thought that all of the opportunities to work with, hang out with, and learn from so many of my heroes would ever exist. The only other time I cried tears of joy was when I got into Humber after moving to BC for 2 years and being fast-tracked into 2nd year. I almost had a heart attack that day. I wont bother listing all of my heroes that Ive had a chance to meet, play with, eat with, write with, and argue with. If Ive ever gushed to you about how amazing you are, you are one of the reasons that I cried tears of joy this year. Toronto, Montreal, Sri Lanka, NYC, North Carolina, Virginia, Boston. I got to check out some stuff this year, and Im so much better for it. Im never going to stop searching for more truths. Cant wait to get to Montreal in a couple weeks for the sessions and workshops!
Posted on: Sat, 29 Nov 2014 09:38:03 +0000
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