marktowns

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I was there, front row, for Eric Clapton at The Omni 8/1/74. Keith Moon and Pete Townshend came out at the end of the show and played a few tunes with Eric. Keith Moon was so wasted that a roadie was literally crouched down behind him holding him up on the drum throne while Moon played the drums. The show ended with Townshend putting his hand on top of Clapton’s head and breaking a toy ukulele over his head (so it actually broke on Townshend’s hand and not on Clapton’s head). It was amazing.

Eric Clapton 1974-08.01 - The Omni - Atlanta, GA With Guests Keith Moon & Pete Townshend

On tour behind the recently released ‘461 Ocean Boulevard,’ Clapton and crew arrived in Atlanta on Aug. 1, 1974, for an evening at the city’s Omni Coliseum. Ticketholders were treated to a set list that included ‘Let It Grow,’ ‘Willie and the Hand Jive,’ and ‘Badge’ — plus the surprise addition of Clapton’s famous friends Moon and Townshend, who came out to add a little extra star power to ‘Layla’ and ‘Baby, Don’t You Do It.’ Moon reportedly sang along during ‘Little Queenie,’ and when it was all over, Townshend is said to have smashed a plastic ukulele belonging to drummer ‘Legs’ Larry Smith over Clapton’s noggin.

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Tiki Pasillas with Mark Towns Latin Jazz Trio

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Mark Towns in L.A. 2014

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Mark Towns Latin Jazz Band at Sammy Hagar's Cabo Wabo Cantina Hollywood, August, 2014

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facebook.com/marktowns

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Mark Towns Performs With Legendary Violinist Michael White

Mark Towns performs with Michael White http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_White_%28violinist%29 at Noor in Pasadena, CA on Friday May 17, 2013.

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Mark Towns performs with Poncho Sanchez

Mark Towns will be featured special guest performer with The Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band Sunday February 17, 2013 at Steamers Jazz Club (Fullerton, CA) 7pm

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Mark Towns & Tribology - Houston Show Sat. Dec. 29!

Mark Towns & Tribology make a rare Houston appearance this Saturday night, Decebmer 29, 2012 at Vintropolis Wine Bar, 10001 Westheimer. Don't miss an awesome night of jazz/latin/funk/fusion featuring Skip Nallia (keyboards), Keith Vivens (bass), Vernon Daniels (drums), and Mark Towns (guitar). Plus special surprise guests. 8-11pm. No Cover Charge.

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Derrick Lewis

The first time I met and played music with Derrick Lewis was also the first time I met and played with Paul English. It was at a free improvisational jam at Lindy Pollard’s house in the late 70’s.

That’s what we did in those days - jammed, improvised, no tunes. We created all the music at jams on the spot. It ranged from beautiful to scattered. Exciting to boring.

Just like real life.

The parts where it really clicked were amazing. And I remember there were quite a few of those amazing parts that day. Derrick was on electric bass, Paul on acoustic piano, Lindy on sax, and me on percussion. There were other musicians there too who I can’t remember now. I have it on tape somewhere. I used to record everything on my reel to reel.

Derrick was hit by a car while riding his bicycle last week. He died.

Derrick had a comedic side. He was a funny guy. The last time I played with him was this past New Years Day at the jam at Bob Henschen’s house.

Unlike the old days, at most jams now people call tunes. Someone wanted to play “Speak Low” and asked Derrick if he knew it. Derrick said “no,” which I found kind of strange - him not knowing a fairly common jazz tune like that. Then we proceeded to play the tune anyway and Derrick nailed it perfectly.

Later I asked him why he had said he didn’t know the tune. He said he had come to a decision in his life to always answer “no” when someone asks him if he knows a tune. Then he’ll go ahead and play the tune.

That way they’ll either be amazed if he aces it, or they won’t be disappointed if he butchers it. Because he didn’t know it.

Brilliant.

Thanks for the music and the memories, Derrick.

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Mark Towns Central CA Shows

I’m looking forward to performing Saturday August 18, 2012 in Ventura, CA with legendary bassist Tony Dumas (who has performed with Herbie Hancock, Carmen McCrae, Sarah Vaughn, The Manhattan Transfer, Chick Corea, Etta James, Mariah Carey, & more).

Then Sunday afternoon, August 19, it’s up to Paso Robles, CA to perform at the “Songwriters at Play” music series at Sculpterra Vineyards.

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Live Oak Music Festival (Santa Barbara, CA) w Oscar Hernandez Latin Jazz Band

I am really psyched to be included in Oscar Hernandez' Latin Jazz Band at the Live Oak Music Festival on Sunday June 17! Killer band lineup including the great Justo Almario on sax, Rene Camacho on bass, Walter Rodriguez on drums, Christian Moraga on congas, Oscar Hernandez on piano, and me on guitar! Oscar is a great composer and arranger (Ruben Blades, Seis del Solar, Spanish Harlem Orchestra) and he has a smokin set!

http://www.liveoakfest.org/

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Mark Towns & Tribology at The Oyster House (Studio City, CA) 5/14/12 Poster

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On the Elevator with Kevin McHale

Guitar in hand, heading to the gig, the elevator door opens for me to get on. Lo and behold, the only other person on the elevator is NBA legend Kevin McHale. He's not saying a word, and totally giving off that leave-me-alone celebrity vibe of "don't look at me and PLEASE don't talk to me." (I had no intention of saying anything anyway.) The door opens at my floor, and before exiting, I look him right in the eye and say "Thanks for not asking me for my autograph."

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"Talent does what it can; genius does what it must" ~Confucious

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