SEEKING
Band to Join, Vocalist, Vocalist - Bass, Vocalist - Baritone, Vocalist - Tenor, Vocalist - Soprano, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, Other Percussion, Violin, Trumpet, Saxophone, Keyboard, Piano, Background Singer, Harmonica, Flute, Other, Banjo, Mandolin, Fiddle, Dobro, Vocalist - Alto, Trombone, Bagpipes, Steel guitar, Upright bass, Cello, Accordion, Ukulele, DJ, Electronic Music, Clarinet, Harp.ABOUT
Started playing club gigs at CBGB and Max's Kansas City in 1977, when I was 15 years old. Went on my first tour (as a bassist) when I was 16, often playing with people a decade or more older than me. I was signed to a major label by the time I was 19, with a band for which I was lead singer, guitarist and songwriter. I have toured opening for major bands, played every club gig possible, have made a few albums of my songs. I stopped counting long ago, but by the late 1980s I had already played well over a thousand gigs, and I am supremely comfortable on any size stage - in any role. I am a damn good front man, but I also LOVE being able to just hang back with the band. I have been a bandleader for decades, but I most enjoy being a member of the band, so I can just show up and play in support of someone else. Both give me immense pleasure. I have been in soul bands, rock bands, funk bands and punk bands, played folk, Americana and country, and am a damn good singer with a loud, strong voice, with a range that goes from baritone to mid-tenor range, from soft and sweet to a blues-shouter's growl in a second, one that needs no mic, even in a large club. I am an accomplished rhythm guitarist, and although I don't play incredibly fast leads (not a shredder) I can add an interesting, tuneful, melodic and rhythmic lead part in any of the styles listed above. Most importantly, I appreciate the place between the notes, and have spent a lifetime learning when NOT to play. These are my main rules when playing, in any situation: always support the singer, and always serve the song.
- Screen name:
- jahn_xavier
- Member since:
- Feb 25 2021
- Active over 1 month ago
- Level of commitment:
- Very Committed
- Years playing music:
- 50
- Gigs played:
- Over 100
- Tend to practice:
- More than 3 times per week
- Available to gig:
- 4-5 nights a week
Influences
My earliest influences were 1960s and 70s soul, funk, folk, and all kinds of rock - from punk to prog to pop. I am a musical omnivore, so I listen to everything, and I truly enjoy most types of music. I think it's because I was raised on NYC radio of the 1960s and 70s, when everything got played, all mixed together with no barriers between styles. If I had to pick a favorite all-around musician, singer and songwriter, I'd have to say that my most profound influence has probably been Curtis Mayfield.
The only two kinds of music I can't dig are:
a) The kind of modern country that can't decide if it wants to be pop or rock or top 40. Give me Johnny Cash, George Jones, Loretta Lynn or Tammy Wynette any day, but keep that "I love my truck" crap away from me!
b) "Lite" jazz, or that CD 101.9 kind of stuff that prizes speed over feel.
Other than that, I can find something I like in just about anything.
Instrument experience:
- Lead Guitar:
- Expert
- Acoustic Guitar:
- Expert
- Bass Guitar:
- Expert
- Background Singer:
- Expert
- Vocalist:
- Expert
- Vocalist - Baritone:
- Expert
- Rhythm Guitar:
- Expert
- Other Percussion:
- Advanced
- Drums:
- Moderate
- Piano:
- Intermediate
EQUIPMENT
Gibson Les Paul Special, Telecaster, Gretsch Starfire hollow body, Epiphone ES-335 Pro, Epiphone Les Paul Special, Sigma Acoustic, Fender Precision Bass, Squire Jazz Bass. Fender Deluxe Reverb.
