For close to a year and a half DJ Roma Soul and Black Bear Combo have played to a packed house downstairs at Subterranean on the third Friday of the month in Chicago. This has grown to be one of the more successful nights I've seen featuring an instrumental act since I moved to Chicago... Continue Reading →
Comprovisation is an audio form of collage. A collage can be presented in a way that expresses the creative process as an element of the finished product. Comprovisation is a polished form of the creative process combining the real-time spontaneity of improvisation with the accuracy of a second draft. In the audio form the composer... Continue Reading →
Analog instruments have added a whole new richness to the sound of my music. The Roland Juno provides that warm classic tone used in the music of groups such as Sigur Ros and Justice. A vintage synthesizer compares to computer generated sounds as Belgian dark chocolate would compare to a snickers bar. Synths have recently... Continue Reading →
Charles Mantis is evolving faster than I can keep up with. Please check out the new fan page and e.p. preview. Please hit like to help get the band approved to become and official fund raising group and write me an email with any ideas about what nonprofits should benefit from the proceeds. Tuesday October... Continue Reading →
The Chicago soul band has spent the last few years fine tuning the record Want More which will be released on Bloodshot Records October 25th 2011. It seems like it wasn't that long ago I met these guys while recording horns for their epic version of Wilco's I am Trying to Break Your Heart. Since... Continue Reading →
The Akai APC40 is a midi controller instrument that controls audio clips, effects and virtual instruments in a live setting. The grid design of the instrument provides an angle to writing music that is very different from composing and performing on a traditional piano. The buttons illuminate when they are actively playing an audio clip... Continue Reading →
Black Bear Combo is a four to six member brass/reed band. It is described as a raucous mutt channeling the common energy between traditional music from eastern Europe and the Balkans, punk rock, and free jazz. The band will be performing on the main stage of the Milwaukee Ave Arts Fest on Sunday July 31st... Continue Reading →
Balkan Beat Box is a high energy live electronic Balkan band. There will be a raffle for two tickets to the show this Friday July 18th during DJ Roma Soul's Balkan Invasion of Wicker park at Subterrainian. The performance at Empty Bottle in 2007 was pretty crazy so I would expect that Lincoln Hall will... Continue Reading →
I'm excited to announce that I'm playing with the great Syl Johnson this coming Sunday evening. Who is Syl Johnson? He is famous for working with Al Green producer Willie Mitchell and has been sampled heavily by artists such as Wu-Tang Clan, Public Enemy and the Geto Boys. Listen to Syl on Numero Group's page. ... Continue Reading →
2010 Has been a great year so far; playing an event for Playboy Magazine with Black Bear Combo, a song with Jody Watley and a performance at Lollapalooza with Mumford & Sons. I've also recorded on a number of soundtracks written by Carl Sondrol for MSN.com, Orbit gum and Collegehumor.com. In Chicago you can see... Continue Reading →
Gerald Bailey | Trumpet & Music Production 