Jazz Articles about Mike Clark

Mike Clark: Actual Proof

by Glenn Astarita
January 1, 2002

During his work with pianist, Herbie Hancock’s 70’s super- funk/fusion band “The Headhunters,” Mike Clark quickly acquired a reputation for his distinctly personal and altogether innovative slant on the art of funk drumming. His over-the-top and somewhat slithery approach to a funk groove proved to be a vital component to a group steered by Hancock’s equally pioneering “Arp and Moog” synthesizer excursions. However, Clark’s roots were founded in Be-Bop drumming among prior stints with the late, great, trumpeter, Woody Shaw, ...

Suzanne Pittson: Blues And The Abstract Truth

by AAJ Staff
July 1, 2001

Billy Eckstine once said to an aspiring vocalist “Use your natural chops, never affect an accent that is not your own" and to her credit there is not one iota of affectation in Suzanne Pittson's vocal style. She sings with clarity and never loses the essence of the song with useless histrionics. Pittson's instrument is her voice. No Saxophones, Brasses, Strings or Percussion can duplicate the human voice, it is an entity unto itself capable of twists, turns and innuendo ...

Mike Clark/Paul Jackson/Marc Wagnon: Conjunction

by AAJ Staff
May 1, 2001

As jazz/rock fusions go, Conjunction is something special: it completely refuses to fit into either category. The arrangements are too tight and the improvisation is too sophisticated to label this disc as rock, but the grooves are so backbeat-driven that one could never call it jazz. (Make a special exception for “The Unknown Shuffle," which is quite clearly exactly what it says it is: a blues shuffle.)

Drummer Mike Clark plays a dominant role defining the group sound on Conjunction. ...

Mike Clark: Actual Proof

by Jim Santella
October 1, 2000

Using original compositions that serve as mainstream jazz anthems, drummer Mike Clark has created a program around his taste for rhythmic drive and small band creativity. Fusion, funk and ballads sit under the umbrella of Clark’s design; however, they’re tempered with tradition. Fluid trumpet and tenor saxophone solos grace “The Viper" accompanied by just the acoustic bass and drums. It’s a lovely setting. And yet, as the title suggests, this one is full of intrigue. The band isn’t as effective ...

Vince Guaraldi Trio: Charlie Brown's Holiday Hits

by Douglas Payne
October 1, 1998

This nice little holiday gift is easily confused with the popular soundtrack to the 1964 TV special,A Charlie Brown Christmas. But don't be fooled. Nine of the 14 tracks included here are culled from the 15 Peanuts holiday specials Vince Guaraldi scored before his untimely death at age 47 in 1976--and have never been released on disc before.Some will even startle Vince Guaraldi fans. The lovely, melodic waltzes you can hum along to are all here. But it's ...