Last Night in Portland Maine - A Shocking Experience

[AllenLowe]

ok - so some of you may recall that I'm not crazy about Maine and have had some, errrr, how shall we say it, PROBLEMS with the local scene -

ok, so a few weeks ago I get a call, because there's a local, small, performance space that is planning, of all things, a Marion Brown tribute. And we're invited to play. Strange, given that in a city of 50,000 I would wager about 6 people have heard of him.

So I go last night, my group opens up, small but nice crowd. We do about a half hour.

we finish and a guy goes on stage, light southern accent (he's from El Paso), stationed in Portland for the Coast Guard (he has a desk job). He sets up a trumpet, an old Wurlitzer electric, and an alto.

and then....proceeds to put on one of the most amazing musical displays I have ever seen - first, a gorgeous piano solo piece, moody and lyrical. Then, a short trumpet solo, technically rough but very nice - and then.....a 10 minute piece, playing alto, in probably the closest approximation I have EVER heard to Ornette Coleman's spirit and meaning - not a copy, but a brilliant evocation of the whole Texas/blues/avant garde spirit with a very Ornette-ish sound and perspective. But that's not all - at one point he alternates between brief phrases on the alto and a beautifully rough vocal of a gospel tune, doing his own call and response.

and then - to finish off, takes out a harmonica and does a solo, stomping, vocal/harp version of a Georgia Sea Islands tune.

this guy - his name is Spike Sykes - can't be more than 30, and is a genius. I was completely bowled over. Nice guy too, only been in Maine for 9 months.

I now have a new friend, AND a second horn player for the band (and btw he went to North Texas State).

In my entire jazz experience (since about 1968) I have heard maybe 5 other musicians in person who effected me like this guy and whose work has jumped out at me like his playing. In Portland-fucking-Maine, of all places.

Wow.

Edited December 18, 2010 by AllenLowe

[alocispepraluger102]

ok - so some of you may recall that I'm not crazy about Maine and have had some, errrr, how shall we say it, PROBLEMS with the local scene -

ok, so a few weeks ago I get a call, because there's a local, small, performance space that is planning, of all things, a Marion Brown tribute. And we're invited to play. Strange, given that in a city of 50,000 I would wager about 6 people have heard of him.

So I go last night, my group opens up, small but nice crowd. We do about a half hour.

we finish and a guy goes on stage, light southern accent (he's from El Paso), stationed in Portland for the Coast Guard (he has a desk job). He sets up a trumpet, an old Wurlitzer electric, and an alto.

and then....proceeds to put on one of the most amazing musical displays I have ever seen - first, a gorgeous piano solo piece, moody and lyrical. Then, a short trumpet solo, technically rough but very nice - and then.....a 10 minute piece, playing alto, in probably the closest approximation I have EVER heard to Ornette Coleman's spirit and meaning - not a copy, but a brilliant evocation of the whole Texas/blues/avant garde spirit with a very Ornette-ish sound and perspective. But that's not all - at one point he alternates between brief phrases on the alto and a beautifully rough vocal of a gospel tune, doing his own call and response.

and then - to finish off, takes out a harmonica and does a solo, stomping, vocal/harp version of a Georgia Sea Islands tune.

this guy - his name is Spike Sykes - can't be more than 30, and is a genius. I was completely bowled over. Nice guy too, only been in Maine for 9 months.

I now have a new friend, AND a second horn player for the band (and btw he went to North Texas State).

In my entire jazz experience (since about 1968) I have heard maybe 5 other musicians in person who effected me like this guy and whose work has jumped out at me like his playing. In Portland-fucking-Maine, of all places.

Wow.

what an exciting, and heartwarming experience, for each of us.

surely, you will record him.

thank you.

[AllenLowe]

yes, we're already talking. May also use him as a vocalist.

[papsrus]

That's wonderful Allen. Look forward to listening to Mr. Sykes once you've recorded.

Maine

[jazzbo]

Awesome Allen! It's always great to get a shot in the arm when you really need it.

[John L]

Sounds exciting!

[AllenLowe]

thanks, just talked to him - on top of everything else, he's a terrific pianist, so looks like we'll have two altos, one piano, and a vocalist. Good timing since my next project is going to be along the lines of old-time song (think gospel/hillbilly). I've been talking to Peter Stampfel (of the old Holy Modal Rounders) who is extremely interested, also possibly Howard Fishman. Only problem is that I just got turned down (for the third time this year) for a Maine Arts Commission grant. Guess they think I'm not quite ready.....

[alocispepraluger102]

Sounds exciting!

i send your words to a nts trumpet student who works a great deal, and to another nts grad with a brand new job in the pit at cirques de.. in vegas.

[clifford_thornton]

This is great news, Allen.

In a related vein, Bill Dixon was on the Vermont Arts Council (or something like that) board at one point. However, the state of Vermont never recognized him for his work, and the state arts grants he applied for were always turned down. So there you go.

[Christiern]

Allan, that is the most uplifting post I have read in all my time on this board. I join those who eagerly await a recording by Mr. Sykes.

I hope that more than the five who ever heard of Marion Brown showed up, and I look forward to hearing that your passionate preservation of sounds past has reached the ears of a McArthur scout. Having wasted so much of the Foundation's money on the likes of Crouch, perhaps they are more discriminating (in a good sense) now. That would flag you favorably!

[kenny weir]

Great post, Allen!

Does he think you're hot shit, too?

[BeBop]

Your enthusiasm is infectious. I'll be listening when there's something to hear.

[AllenLowe]

he seemed to like our little band (trio; bass player was missing, but that's an old story); as I mentioned, we should be rehearsing some time after New Year's. It's interesting, because he's one of those talents who has to be handled correctly; he does so many thing well but, as with so much music today, talent in the service of sub-standard material is wasted.

thanks, Chris, for the kind words. I await the letter in the mailbox.

as for grants, the situation continues to frustrate, though I know I'm not alone in this whole frustrating situation.

and, since I like to keep people guessing, we're auditioning a new bassist tomorrow......

Edited December 18, 2010 by AllenLowe

[mikeweil]

Great news - count me in for a copy should you make a CD.

Pretty much the same on the scene over here ...