Tagged: KVC-Arts

Henry Franklin, "Skipper," got his start with Roy Ayers in a Latin jazz group while still in high school. He was recruited by Hugh Masekela for an album which produced "Grazing in the Grass," and took him to Woodstock as well as the Monterey Pop Festival. He's worked as a sideman with many, and has 28 (or so) albums under his own name.

On the next KVC-Arts David Fleming speaks with Skipper about one of the most recent — one which earned him a NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Jazz record — instrumental. SUCH a great disc! We'll also hear about one that was a bit of an avant-garde piece, yet still QUITE cool to listen to. We'll touch briefly as well on his time with Stevie Wonder.

But it's mostly jazz; and jazz in this area! Skipper still lines up the musicians for Pierce Street Jazz, a free concert series at La Sierra University. A variety of types of jazz presented, with known players who are in the region (they're all OVER the place). AND more!

David Fleming speaks with Henry Franklin about his long history in the world of jazz, as well as major crossover success with Hugh Masekela (“Grazing in the Grass” et al.), which took him to Woodstock as well as The Monterey Pop Festival. We'll hear about his first release, his latest, and a lot in between.

Jonathan Karrant has been on KVC-Arts several times now, and with several upcoming performances in our region, David Fleming has re-packaged his first interview with Jonathan. This serves as a wonderful introduction to a man with impeccable discs, and a phenomenal onstage delivery of story through song.

David Fleming speaks with Emilio Castillo, one of the founding and current members of Tower of Power. We'll get a bit of history — including a drastic change in not only their material, but their look as well. There's also some song specific material and more.

David Fleming continues his conversation with Michelle Dowd, author of "Forager: Field Notes for Surviving a Family Cult: a Memoir." This is the story of Michelle, told from her perspective ... as a little girl growing into her teens. She grew up in a cult started by her grandfather, who was seen as the last prophet, and would lead them after surviving the apocalypse.

More at https://www.michelledowd.org.

David Fleming speaks with Michelle Dowd, author of "Forager: Field Notes for Surviving a Family Cult: a Memoir." Each chapter begins with a plant you can find in the mountain wilderness, and the ways to use it for food. Each chapter then goes on to tell the story of Michelle Dowd, and the Angeles National Forest cult in which she was raised. The cult was started by her grandfather, known to all as the last prophet. He would not die, but rather live to be 500 and lead the organization through the impending apocalypse. The story is told from the perspective of  Michelle — as a 7-year-old, growing into her teenage years — when she would eventually leave.

More on the book at https://www.michelledowd.org. Michelle's on Instagram @MichelleDowdZ as well as MDowd.Substack.com. The books are available in hardback, paperback, Kindle and Audio anywhere books are sold, including Amazon.

On this edition of the program David Fleming speaks with Brooks Wilson. Bobby was already in tribute bands, performing among other things, the music of Jackie Wilson — long before finding out that he was indeed Jackie Wilson's son.

Bobby will be at Vibrato Grill And Jazz March 8th with a Jackie Wilson Tribute show. Learn more at https://bobbywilsonmusic.com.

David Fleming continues his conversation with Evan J. Marshall — sometimes known as Mr. Solo Mandolin, due to his ability to play several parts of the mandolin at the same time, giving self-accompaniment. We'll hear about bluegrass, Western swing, as well as classical. AND — his take on the final movement from the "William Tell Overture," aka the theme from the Lone Ranger.

For this edition of KVC-Arts, David Fleming interviews Evan J. Marshall. Beyond his time with Riders of the Purple Sage, Evan is known to many as Mr. Solo Mandolin, due to his ability to play both accompaniment and lead at the same time. For this reason he's also known to some as "The Lone Arranger," but also due largely to his take on the final movement from the "William Tell Overture" — better known in many circles as the theme for The Lone Ranger.

Growing up — in movies, books, TV ... Matt Gilbert never saw lead characters like himself — Native American. And he decided he wasn't going to wait for someone else to make it happen. We ended up with the Chandera Trilogy ... though books four and five are in the works. Frank Blanquet, Television Producer/Director for FNX | First Nations Experience, recently interviewed Gilbert, aka Wolf Golan, about some of his writing.

From the website: "Book 1 begins with Maxwell Wilkes marooned on an uncharted planet with his girlfriend Alexandra Parks and the small Riven 5 Shuttle Crew. They find themselves in a medieval kingdom, where they are seen as 'Strangers from the Stars.' They soon find out the kingdom is at war with a dark lord in the east. Can they help the kingdom tip the scales to save this new world called Chandera?" With themes and motifs reminiscent of Star Wars, Tolkien, and other epics — it's an adventure ... and it continues.