Last night was one of those events that generate memories for a lifetime, and I wanted to share with my kindred brethren of the low note. Long story first...sorry...you know me.
Going way back to 1989, in my Tucson days, I was incredibly lucky to meet J.V. Collier. He'd recently gotten married and called Tucson a home base, even though he spent much of his time on the road with Gladys Knight, The Pointer Sisters, and Was Not Was. I still distinctly remember walking into the club where he was playing a jazz/R&B/Latin hit, and thinking that I was truly hearing the bass for the first time. Ahhh....so
this is how it's played...power, strength, nuance, dynamics, and G R O O V E.
From that night on, I spent as much time with J.V. as possible - studying, listening at gigs, being a fly on the wall at recording sessions, and just absorbing life. I often say that if anyone hears something good in my playing, J.V. gets the credit, and I sincerely mean that. He is truly the bass player's bass player.
In 1991 I moved to the bay area, and J.V. moved to Los Angeles. I got to see him a couple of times when Gladys Knight was in the bay area, and those were some incredible hangs....more laughter and childish humor than music. Then, in 1994, he landed the gig with Bruce Hornsby (replacing Jimmy Haslip...there's our Roscoe connection). For the first few years, this was even better for me, as Bruce was in the bay area at least twice a year, bringing with him opening/co-bill acts like Aquarium Rescue Unit and Bela Fleck. At the risk of name-dropping, spending time in a room with J.V., Oteil, and Victor is, indeed, priceless.
Fast-forwarding (finally, I know...sorry), J.V. sets a heavy anchor in LA, Bruce stops touring as much, and life intervenes. Aside from email and the joy of Facebook, up until last night I hadn't seen J.V. in nearly three years. But then...poof. I get the magical text..."I'm in town tomorrow. Can you hang?" Does Roscoe make great instruments? Hell yes I can hang! The dinner bill, as always, was large. The laughs were off the hook. The stories as raucous as ever. But this time there was an extra treat. On my way to his hotel, the conversation went like this:
Me: "Hey, man, I just parked in the garage - I'll be there in 10. You're close to Morton's, so how about a steak?"
J.V.: "Sounds great. Would you mind if Sonny joined us?"
[Note: this is Sonny Emory. Serious drum hero and groove monster, whom I've only been able to say hello & thanks to in the past.]
Me: Speechless. After I picked up and wiped off my jaw, I think I muttered something in the affirmative. It was on. I needed to prep my liver, and whatever passes for stomach muscles in my soft body, and post haste.
And so began five of the most amazing hours of my life. I wish I could accurately express the joy with which these guys approach life. They live life like they play music, and let me tellya, they play some serious music.
Before dinner we had the requisite bass hang...here were the instruments of mass destruction:
J.V. has had that J for about seven years now, and it is absolutely ferocious (check out that bridge pup location). The fellow who crafted it has, unfortunately, gone out of business, but this thing is ridiculous. If you'd like a coupla' samples:
Shilts Event~JV Collier Bass solo - YouTube Vincent Ingala - It Is What It Is - Newport Beach Jazz Festival - YouTube
(That's Gregg Bissonette and Ricky Lawson, respectively...too bad J.V. doesn't gig with any good drummers.)
For me, was there really any other bass I could possibly bring to such a gathering?
And, I know this is corny, but back in the day, whenever I got a new bass, it wasn't truly mine until I had J.V. "bless" it for me. After him injecting some soul and love into it, I could go to any gig feeling invincible. At that, I present:
This bass is NOW mine!
Sonny even got into the game, and...big shock...he grooves his tail off on the bass. Amazing musicians...just something about being in that company. I think Sonny could pick up a kazoo and make it musical. And, speaking of Sonny, here's a shot of one of the most amazing rhythm sections happening...
Surprisingly, given how open Bruce is to letting folks record away at his gigs, there isn't a lot on youtube with these guys. But, as fans of the Noisemakers know, these guys make the music jump. Here's one little tidbit I found, with J.V. playing his (cough) Ken Smith sixer. (And that's a great story...for another day, I promise.
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James Ross @ (Drummer) Sonny Emory & (Bass) JV Collier - "Locking The Groove" - Jross-tv - YouTube
Thanks for your time, fellas. I'm still grinning from ear-to-ear, just thinking about the stories, the love and respect these guys have for the music, and for the nonstop barbs and jokes.
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