Welcome to Wes' world...
..(that's me)
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And of course the kids and grandkids. It can't get much better than it is right now.
I'm basically a jazz guitarist although I do play piano as well as a little clarinet and tenor sax.
Started playing dixieland clarinet way back in the middle ages which evolved into bebop guitar while in the
USMC. Wanna hear what I sound like. There are a few RealAudio files of
Songs I did using Band in a Box rhythm section and myself on
guitar using Power Tracks Audio.
I played on Bourbon St. in New Orleans after my discharge with street cats I'd met during leaves while still in the service. Was also fortunate to play with a bunch of great musicians who were recalled to duty during the Korean thing.
The strippers on Bourbon St. didn't care what kind of music we played as long as the drummer was with them
for the bumps and grinds. The customers weren't interested in what we were doing as they watched the girls
so we played some far out jazz for our own amusement and amazement.
My current taste in music runs more towards what I like to call "cocktail jazz". Guess I've tamed down
somewhat over the years.
I've gotten into some of the electronic gadgets in the past year or so and am enjoying the blending of technology
with the art of playing music. I now have a second pentium computer sitting atop the piano along with a guitar synth,
vocalizer (I can sound almost like the Four Freshmen all by myself), and SD35 for playing midis from diskette
and, of course, my trusty Epiphone Emperor guitar which I bought back in 1948.
Sax and clarinet are out of sight to right of piano. And I just recently bought a Washburn J9 Guitar and
attached my GK1 and Roland GM70 and am havin' a ball making my solos sound like any instrument just for kicks.
My interest has been re-kindled since I bought Band in a Box which is the greatest thing that has happened
to me since the old 'Music Minus One' or Jame Abersold tapes. I never have to worry about who to call for
a session now. Just load up Band in a Box and I've got a great rhythm section and my pick of top soloists to
round out my act. Imagine being able to select Stan Getz with Jobim's group for rhythm and then play along
with them! Or take 4's with Barney Kessel! Or "The Bird".
Currently my status is that of entering into retirement. Since giving up music
as a profession back in the early fifties I've been a tropical fish farmer and
wholesale distributor and over the years have enjoyed this business very much.
Some once said that if you find a job you really enjoy, you'll never work a day
in your life. True! My employees have been telling me that the company runs much
better when I stay away so what the hell, I'm out of there and back to music and
other stuff.
Here's a couple of pics of me. And the world's #1 jazz pianist, Oscar Peterson!.
Oscar Peterson and me while on a Jazz Cruise. Me at my piano. No contest with Oscar I'm sad to say! Notice
my trusty Epiphone Emperor in the background. I bought it back in 1948 and we've been thru a lot together
since then. I keep my tenor and clarinet to the right of the piano always ready to go. Also, lots of sound gear on
top of the piano along with another Pentium these days.
If any of you cats ever get a chance to go on a jazz cruise jump on it. On this particular cruise which featured
Oscar there were about 60 world class musicians and over 2000 jazz fans, many of them musicians also.
Lots of sessions practically all the time. What a trip!
One of the most memorable trips I made over the years was to the Amazon Rain Forests of Columbia and Peru.
I fondly think of this trip as my Amazon Adventure . If you'd like to hear more drop
me a note when you sign my guest book.
For your entertainment while browsing this page you are listening to a random selection of the midi files available for download. Most of these midi files have been generated using Band in a Box by PGMusic. Click your 'Refresh' button for a different selection as you browse.