911 Event this Saturday, March 6, 2010: Don’t Miss it!

We are excited about helping raise funds to support a school being built in Kenya. We are partnering with Maisha International Orphanage. The goal is to raise $3000. We need to have 300 people attend this event. It will be a great event for a great CAUSE. Oklahoma City, let’s make this happen!

EVENT DETAILS:
Date – MARCH 6TH, 2010
Time – 6PM
Event Name – 911
9 ARTISTS – 1 NIGHT – 1 CAUSE
“A KINDERGARTEN IN KENYA”
for maishainternational.org
all admission proceeds go towards CAUSE
VENUE: FRONTLINE (Directions)
Admission $10
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Artists include:
BEN FREEMAN benfreemanmusic.com
HOLLOW myspace.com/hollowrock
CALANDRA WILLIAMS myspace.com/calandramusic
MATTY V http://www.myspace.com/mattyvpoetry
SHAUN ALI myspace.com/shaunalimusic
MJ myspace.com/mjoommenmusic
DENVER DUNCAN http://wwwmyspace.com/denverduncanmusic
ADAM L
JENNA DAVIS myspace.com/jennadavismusic

Adam L: I’m Not a Poet

Adam L. surprised me on February 28th. I didn’t expect to see him in the audience at We Tell Stories Poetry Night. He had just recently done a set at poetry night that was “off da chain” so I was glad to see him. I jumped on the opportunity to have him grace the stage via our open mic on the 28th. Check out my man Adam.

Thanks Adam!

Adam L. Live

Adam L & Live Society were extremely talented. It was awesome to have them bring such a style of jazz & hip-hop to our audience at We Tell Stories Poetry Night. Adam was incredible on the keys. I wish I could play as he does. We tried our best to capture the evening. Here is a clip. We want to thank Sean Johnson for recording this and all the other footage he provides. YOU ROCK SEAN!

Adam L. in THE BOOTH

Adam L. did a nice mixture of jazz & hip-hop. His style was refreshing. We most definitely can see Adam L. & Live Society coming back again to We Tell Stories Poetry Night. Check out this footage of Adam discussing his performance immediately after poetry night. Sorry for the footage being a little dark.

Poetry Night in OKC!

This Saturday is We Tell Stories Poetry Night so get out there and spread the word.  Last month we had to turn people away so come early.  This is going to be a fun night.  We have a great line of poets for our poetry segments; we have a design show per Group Fly Clothing; we have Adam L. stopping by to do a jazz set.  O yea, Heady will be doing his “thang” as MC. 

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Location: Java Dave’s (10 NE 10th OKC)
Time: 8:27p
Cost: $8
Music: Adam L.
Design Show: Group Fly Clothing

Can’t wait to see you there!

WE PROVIDE HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES FOR WEEKEND FUN.

MEET ADAM L.

Heady Here! I have had the opportunity once again to put together a some questions for another fine artist. Adam L will be doing the set for our January 24th poetry night. If you haven’t had the chance to experience Adam, you need to come out. He will be bringing a different sound to poetry night. It will be fun.

Heady: Before we get into music, let me ask about your style – which I like – is it intentional? You always have a pretty unique look when I see you out at different events.

Adam L: My personal style is pretty intentional. I don’t spend a lot of time digging through my closet and picking out the perfect outfit or anything like that but its kind of the same way I approach music: start somewhere and see what happens next. I try to be true to myself, without trying too hard.

H: Did you grow up in Oklahoma City?

AL: I grew up in Oklahoma City. Born and raised. Luckily I’ve been able to spend some time in other places which has enhanced my perspective considerably. I’ve lived in Boston and Brazil also and spent time all around the country and North and South America. I come from a family that is all about traveling and culture and not being ignorant or afraid to try some new things.

H: What do you think about the musical talent floating around Oklahoma City?

AL: A lot of the most talented people I’ve met are from Oklahoma City. I’ve also met a lot of some of the most ignorant and unappreciative people here and so if that’s your audience, you’re better off elsewhere. A lot of great talent leaves and never comes back. But yeah, some of the cats I’ve played with here are amazing and could go anywhere and compete.

H: How long have you been playing the piano?

AL: I’ve been playing the piano since I was about ten.

H: How did you come about playing the piano?

AL: My mom made me take lessons and I was doing pretty good so she wouldn’t let me quit. There’s a powerful lesson in there parents…your children don’t have the wisdom to make good life choices for themselves. Stand firm on a positive thing and tough it out. I started playing piano in my Dad’s church a few months later and I’m still there.

H: The word on the street is your the “hottest” piano player in the city? True or not true? Lol…

AL: Ha! That’s hilarious. As far as I’m concerned I’m most certainly not the hottest piano players in town, whatever that even means. I’m good at some stuff and I fake the rest.

H: Who are some other piano players locally you appreciate?

AL: On a local level some of my favorite pianists are a gentleman named Herman Richmond who plays in a wonderfully tasteful traditional gospel style. The Buckleys (Edward and Barry), of course Jeremy Thomas. I’m a big fan of Michael Roderick who plays with the big band at UCO, a grad student. TJ Haverkamp played at my wedding. A lot of great players, not enough though. We need to get kids interested in playing instruments. Everybody wanting to rap is kind of lame.

H: Do you play any other instruments?

AL: I also play the accordion. I got my street entertainer’s license this past summer and played downtown a lot with a few friends. We’ll be out there again when it warms up. Look for us, we like to set up near Spaghetti Warehouse.

H: That’s really cool. I will have to make my way downtown this summer. What’s your favorite music to listen to?

AL: My heart is in jazz music. I love old gospel music, like James Cleveland’s stuff with the Caravans, Sister Rosetta Tharpe. I’m a big time bluegrass lover. If I could play mandolin or banjo I would try to go on tour with Alison Krauss. But I can most often be found listening to jazz. Charles Mingus, Duke Ellington, Sonny Rollins, Cannonball Adderley etc.

H: What is one song you find yourself singing out of the blue?

AL: Lately its been either Tiny Dancer by Elton John or Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye

H: This is a random question to a degree but I’m interested in your take on the topic of hip-hop being dead. True or not true. Explain.

AL: Uh.. Man I haven’t really been an active listener to hip-hop for several years now. What’s on the radio is exceptionally trashy but that’s kind of always been the case. I used to seek out the artists that I liked and then I would be in a little bubble that doesn’t necessarily represent hip-hop as a whole. There’s always going to be some live stuff happening but I also think that’s always going to be greatly outnumbered by the lame stuff happening. I don’t know if its dead or not, I honestly don’t care. Its certainly a subculture with a lot of issues. Hip-hop heads have en masse bought into a lot of silly and backwards, non-progressive notions.

H: I like that. What’s your favorite genre of music? I know you’re pretty diverse so I was curious.

AL: I love jazz and old gospel.

H: Old gospel huh. Cool. Ok, let’s get down to business. Without giving too much detail, what can we expect from you on the 24th?

AL: Well I’m still working on some custom charts and arrangements but you can expect some good old familiar music, some great musicians and a lot of fun. Expect to have a lot of fun, I suppose?

H: Will you be playing with a full band?

AL: Yessir, I’ve put together a stellar lineup of great, GREAT musicians that most people have probably never seen or heard of. We gotta start branching out.

H: Why should people come out on the 24th to hear Adam L?

AL: Well people should come to hear me because me and my band will be playing our little hearts out. That deserves an audience, yes?

H: Are you spreading the word about your performance on Jan 24th?

AL: Yessir, I’ve spread the word some and will continue to do so. I want it to be like a family reunion in that joint, without the alcohol.

H: NO ALCOHOL! LOL… So, people will come out and hear Adam L on Jan 24th and love your music – is there any place they can hear you perform on a regular?

AL: You can always come hear me play every Sunday morning at The Cross of Calvary on SW 32nd and Agnew. I also play with the Jazz Ensemble I at UCO at the jazz lab. For concert dates hit up, ucojazzlab.com And again, come this spring check me out on the street corners downtown near Harkins or Spaghetti Warehouse on select evenings in the weekend. Also starting in January I’ll be playing solo jazz piano at Othello’s in Norman from 6:00 to 8:45. Every now and then I stop by the NoNo Jazz Jam at The Prohibition Room on 23rd and Classen on Mondays from 9 till midnight

H: Well, we will wrap this up with two last questions. Tell me what comes to mind when you hear the name Jesus?

AL: When I hear the name Jesus I think of salvation. I think of what we have to endure in this world to attain His glory and the price He paid for us. I’m reminded how insignificant worldly problems are. It often times reminds me of the song “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” one of my favorite hymns to play.

H: What’s your favorite song ever?

AL: That’s hard to say. There are some many great songs but I have a friend named Mark Lewellen who plays a cover of Beck’s cover of an OLD OLD gospel song called “He’s a Mighty Good Leader”. I don’t even like to play it I just love to listen to him play and sing it.

H: Thanks so much Adam for taking the time to do this interview. I’m super duper excited to hear your music. I hope you bring something real jazzy & smooth. One last question before we end this – how do you put up with Jovan Morgan?

AL: LOL! Hah. Jovan’s my brother. He’s a character but yeah he’s a really solid dude and a beautiful musician! I love that he doesn’t get caught up into who’s good, who sucks blah blah blah. As musicians we should just all be thankful we get to play. And on the 24th I’ll get to play TO A REAL LIFE AUDIENCE!!!! YESSSS!!!!!

H: We are excited! For all you readers, we will see you on Jan 24th!