Ethio Cali Ensemble directed by Todd Simon!

I am extremely honored to play drums with Todd Simon's ground-breaking Ethio Cali Ensemble. We have done 2 shows and each one has increased my enjoyment of the opportunity, band and Ethio Jazz. This music fuses the best of the Ethiopian compositional palette (inspired by the likes of Mulatu Astatke) with the rich pool of musicianship in California. This past week, we performed at The EchoPlex in Echo Park opening for The Budos Band. Fun! Todd Simon is incredible musician, composer and arranger and deserves all of the credit. Looking forward to upcoming shows and I hope that you catch it live. Check it out live at UCLA's Fowler museum and the accompanying Simon interview. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK8M-DlgNl0 Daily Bruin Article: http://www.dailybruin.com/index.php/article/2011/08/todd_simons_ethio_cali_ensemble_to_give_free_ethiopian_jazz_concert_this_sunday_at_the_fowler_museum

Highly Recommended: Chico y Rita

I saw a movie at the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) that I think is a must-see. It is an animated film directed by Fernando Trueba, Javier Mariscal and Tono Errando titled Chico and Rita. Chico is a young piano player with big dreams. Rita is a beautiful singer with an extraordinary voice. Music and romantic desire unite them, but their journey - in the tradition of the Latin ballad, the bolero - brings heartache and torment.

5 Minutes: Directed by Roman Michael

My barber Richard "Rasheed" Vera called me and asked if I was still scoring film. 2 months later I had wrapped on the music for a film he produced called 5 Minutes directed by newcomer Roman Michael. 5 Minutes is my first feature film and I look forward to doing many more with this team. They are professional, creative and ambitious. Roman Michael directed and stars in the film. We screen at the Pan African Film Festival this month. See the image or go to www.paff.org.

Dwight Trible Cosmic Band

It is an honor to perform with this group. We hope to travel around the world together and share our music with you.

Dwight Trible - Vocals
Miguel Atwood-Ferguson - Viola
Mark de Clive-Lowe - Piano
Trevor Ware - Bass
Dexter Story - Drums

Booking contact: dwighttrible@yahoo.com

LA: SCORED Presents ‘A Trip Beyond the Moon’ – Dec 12

Man, the folks in LA really got it good with this series. Hopefully you caught the last one in August, because we’re totally jealous here in NYC.

Once again, Mark de Clive-Lowe, Miguel Atwood Ferguson, and Dexter Story have come together to present their most recent SCORED installment called A Trip Beyond the Moon.

On Monday December 12th, the three comrades will be paying tribute to the “cinematic genius” of Georges Méliès. Always thorough, the guys will be making sure to cover everywhere from his earliest pieces to more recent work driven by Méliès’ groundbreaking innovations in special effects.

Per usual, Mark, Miguel, and Dexter will be bringing the aural treats with VJ Synesthete on the visual mix. Stimulation for days.

Two unique sets will take place through the course of the night: one at 8PM and one at 9.30PM – all for one admission price!

Event Details
SCORED Presents ‘A Trip Beyond the Moon’
Monday, December 12th
Doors 8pm
8PM & 9.30PM (two unique sets)
$10 (covers both sets)

The Blue Whale
123 Astronaut E S Onizuka, In Weller Court, 3rd Floor, Little Tokyo
Los Angeles, CA

Mark de Clive-Lowe on Facebook | Twitter | Official Site

Miguel Atwood Ferguson on Twitter | Bandcamp

Dexter Story on Twitter | Official Site

VJ Synesthete on Twitter | Official Site

Listening by Julian Treasure

"Our ears are always on. Ears are made not for hearing, but for listening." ~ Julian Treasure

I am intrigued by the research, writings, teachings and work of Julian Treasure. He has a very interesting take on what our EARS are for. I've always been keenly aware of sounds and noise in addition to music and I love reading about distinctions related to this field. I highly recommend his book, TED lectures and his website musings. Check it out.

http://www.ted.com/talks/julian_treasure_shh_sound_health_in_8_steps.html

Scored presents THE WIZARD » Musical direction Mark De Clive-Lowe with Miguel Atwood-Ferguson + Dexter Story » presenting a live improvised scoring of

Live scoring of THE WIZARD OF OZ in it's many glorious versions

Musical direction MARK DE CLIVE-LOWE w/ MIGUEL ATWOOD-FERGUSON & DEXTER STORY

9pm (doors 8pm) / $10 gets you into Emerald City for 1 extended journey down the yellow brick road

The Wizard of Oz is such the archetypal fantasy story and movie.

Judy Garland along with Victor Fleming brought us the definitive cinematic experience of it along with a timeless soundtrack of classic story-telling songs.

I can't remember first time I saw it, but it's always super fresh. It's been created for screen 19 times including silent film and animated versions and it's a storyline we're all well familiar with.

For this performance though, we'll be visiting several versions, mashed up and intertwined along with a completely improvised soundtrack performed by myself (MdCL), drummer DEXTER STORY and viola player (composer, conductor) MIGUEL ATWOOD-FERGUSON.

MIGUEL and DEXTER are two of my favorite musicians anywhere. You know Miguel from lovingly arranged full orchestral interpretations of J Dilla's creations in TIMELESS (www.youtube.com/watch?v=jh g_fPD-Lhc) and his own recent large shows with the likes of Flying Lotus, Jose James, Pharoahe Monch, Bilal, Zap Mama and countless others.

DEXTER STORY is also such a creative force - a multi-instrumentalist performing with numerous different artists in as many different styles, he's one of my favorite people to improvise and create with bar none.

We're truly looking forward to an evening of spontaneous and limitless music-making inspired by the fantastic story that is

L. Frank Baum's THE WIZARD OF OZ.

(MdCL)

Eggs-ceptional!

Last year I read about playright Susan Lori Parks' project where she wrote one play per day for an entire year. And then in 2006-07, she mounted all of them around the world. What an endeavor! I was so inspired by her that I started a similar project: 365 Days of Song. I am writing one song per day for a year (since November 2010). I am currently on song #60 and it's the most exhilarating thing I've ever done. My parameters are: 1) Start to finish lyrics; 2) Lead sheet; 3) Recording; and 4) I must share what I am up to with at least one person per day. The image of the eggs are courtesy of iconic Gap designer Patrick Robinson (https://mail.google.com/mail/?hl=en&shva=1#inbox/12d7b53c3ec46b02) but I thought they were symbolic of the simple goodness of my life.

Exclusive Dexter Story 8 CD

While in Japan, I sold a compilation CD that producer Carlos Nino put together. It featured 8 short, exclusive pieces that were recorded between 2005-10 and was titled Carlos Nino Presents Dexter Story 8. At the suggestion of Turn On The Sunlight's vocalist/guitarist Jesse Peterson, I made a stencil, bought materials from mega department store Tokyu Hands (a Japanese style Target) and created a cover (See image). Surprisingly, I sold approximately 15 CD's while on tour and learned that I should never tour without merch again. It was the perfect way to preview material and share my wares with an audience as well as make extra spending cash. If you would like a copy of this compilation, please go to cyusef@aol.com, send $15 ($10 cost + $5 shipping) and provide your address. I will gladly send you a copy.

TOTS Nippon Tour 2010

This is my first entry in over 5 months. Since my last entry, I ended a 2-year relationship, went on a month-long US tour with Danish soul group playing bass guitar, moved away from a wonderful Venice villa into a new spot, started recording my first "real" solo album, scored 2 short films, put my daughter in college, my son in high school and completed a 10-day tour of Japan with Carlos Nino's Turn on the Sunlight group. As much as I'd like to fill you in on the rest, it is my first tour of Japan and all of the personal insights thereof that will be the focus of this blog.

Japan! Nihon! Nippon! I already miss you very much. In you, I have met the country of my dreams. I love America (and France) with all of my heart but Japan is something special. I didn't know a nation of people could exude such warmth, love and hospitality. The Japanese are some of the most gracious human beings I have ever met. I became obsessed with bowing, salutations, politeness and FOOD. I learned that Japan is much more than sushi. I discovered different versions of Udon noodles and tried regional dishes I would have never thought Japan could call "comfort food." And the local music and musicians I encountered in Fujinomiya, Kyoto, Kobe, Osaka, Tokyo and Sapporo were nothing short of phenomenal. Yes, Japan has its own sound and artistry separate from what we are doing here in America. Trust me. My favorite of the Japanese groups I experienced is TENNISCOATS featuring lead singer Saya. Her voice floored me. I didn't know what hit me. She is experimentally otherwordly yet familiarly grounded in her execution. I am converted.

I thank Carlos Nino and Jesse Peterson for having me in the TURN ON THE SUNLIGHT group and am also very grateful to Mr. Hara and staff at Disc Corde Records and the unshakable and awesome road manager/A&R Hashim.

I so look forward to returning to Nihon soon.