As a young and inexperienced drummer, I got my start in the music business thanks to the great violinist, singer, and story teller Noel Pointer. He hired me for his band, which had plenty of gigs across the United States, from jazz clubs to concert halls. Noel had a devoted fan base and even wrote and staged a musical with his good friend, the actor John Amos, featuring an alien violinist and his best friend on Earth. I recall a show where John and Noel argued before the curtain rose, but as soon as they faced the audience, they performed flawlessly and magically.
Besides playing with Noel's band, I often had the pleasure of jamming with other acts on the bill, such as Bobbi Humphrey, Tom Browne, and Lonnie Liston Smith, with whom I later toured extensively. Speaking of touring, I also played with Tom Browne solo and shared the stage with many talented musicians and friends at my brownstone in Jersey City, NJ, where I had a studio and a garden for BBQ parties. Some notable guests and clients included Ben Folds, The Silos, Freedy Johnston, Tony Maimone, Graham Maby, Helen Hooke, Joy Askew, and They Might Be Giants. I enjoyed living in Bergen-Lafayette, Jersey City, and frequented some fantastic restaurants and hang-outs, such as New Park Tavern, Laico's, and Citizen Kane (now McGinley Square Pub). Moreover, I recorded many sessions at the original Water Music studio in Hoboken, NJ, and at my own Running Dog Studios on Bergen Avenue, J.C.
Looking back, I'm honored and privileged to have played music with Noel Pointer and grateful for the memories and experiences I gained in Jersey City. Stay tuned for more posts on this topic!
