ONOFFON

[onoffon]

Well... here we are... another December 31st... I know there's quite a few of you here that don't like to play the crazy new year's eve gigs, but, it's part of me. I absolutely LOVE to play live whenever and wherever I can - ESPECIALLY on a night like tonight. Yes - it's with my cover band - at the same old club we've been playing at every third weekend of every month throughout this year. In fact, we played there last new year's eve. But all that means is the place will be PACKED!!!!!We've had people tell us for months that they've been planning to be there to see us for new year's!So, I'll be bringing it and ringing it in - from 9 PM until 1:30 AM - and giving every last ounce of me I've got to give!And I'll raise a glass at midnight to all my TAXI Dot family and everyone who'll be sharing their time to see me play and doing what I was born to do... Cheers to one and all!!!!!

[onoffon]

A while back, I had the audacity to enter the ONOFFON track, 'Mardi Gras', in Music Aid's 2007 International Music Awards in the category of Best Composition...No - we didn't win the overall competition. We didn't even win in the United States. We didn't even make it into the runner-ups.But, we did make the list of "Special Mentions" that are listed to the right of the awards page and at the bottom. Although, I entered the track under "ONOFFON", they still only listed the name 'Von Babasin'. Go figure..."Special Mentions - The following artists were selected for Special Mention by the organizers and producers."Anyway, here's the link -Music Aid - International Music Awards - 2007http://www.musicaid.org/awards.htmSince the track was produced and released back in 1999, I feel pretty lucky we were mentioned at all.

[onoffon]

Not too long ago, I was down at Drum City with Roy Harte's son, Rex, going through some of the old drum stuff his dad had collected over the decades the drum shop was in business. While we were down there, an old friend of theirs stopped by to check out a few things - drummer Jim Keltner. Now, I knew Jim Keltner's name from the credits of the Mad Dogs and Englishmen album that still sits lovingly in my record collection at home, but I had no idea how storied his career is. A short list of those he has played and recorded with are John Lennon, Manhattan Transfer, Delbert McClinton, the Traveling Wilburys, Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie, Mick Jagger, Joe Cocker, George Harrison, John Lee Hooker, Randy Newman, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, Pink Floyd, James Taylor, Boz Scaggs, Linda Ronstadt, Ringo Starr, Indigo Girls, B.B. King, Rickie Lee Jones, Freddie Hubbard, Eric Clapton, Ry Cooder, Brian Wilson, Fiona Apple, Neil Diamond, the Bee Gees, Jackson Browne, Elvis Costello, Rita Coolidge and Harry Chapin.Pretty amazing credentials, if you ask me. What an honor for me to meet this amazing drummer.But, the coolest part of the day came while I was in a back room, going through some tapes. I was calling out to Rex in another room about something I had found when Jim poked his head around the corner and said, "Hey, you sounded just like your dad just then".Woah... I was TOTALLY blown away. Not only did this legendary rock 'n roll drummer know my father - but he knew him well enough to recognize his voice in mine...It was at that moment I realized my father's continued influence on generation after generation of outstanding musicians and I hope that his documentary will help influence future generations to strive for artistic and creative excellence...

[drew]

That's as good as it gets!Great stories, Von, I enjoy them all.

[onoffon]

Thanks Drew - it really blew me away to think these more 'contemporary' musicians were influenced by my dad. I remember seeing the great drummer, John Guerin, (from Tom Scott & the L.A. Express, Joni Mitchell), before he passed away. He was playing at a west coast jazz conference and I went up to introduce myself. I said, "I'm Harry Babasin's son," and his instant response was, "Get outta here... you're Harry's kid?" He had nothing but kind words for dad. Yesterday, I had an amazing lunch with jazz guitarist, Jimmy Wyble. I mentioned in earlier posts that I would be meeting with him and it finally came true. What a kind man! He truly loved my dad and they were great friends. He is 85 now and still playing beautifully. He played extensively with such artists as Herb Ellis, Red Norvo, and Benny Goodman. He was never a blazer like Al DiMeola but his chordal structure and progressions would melt your heart.He told me how blessed he felt - that spending time with me was like being with Harry again - that God kept him alive long enough to help me with this documentary... I can't even describe how I felt. So honored... so humbled... I feel an incredible responsibility to so many musicians who are counting on me to fulfill this destiny...

[crs7string]

Von,I have been a fan of Jimmy Wyble for some time. I don't know if you recall, but when I met you at the Rally I asked you if your dad ever worked with Geoge Van Eps. I got turned on to Van Eps when I was in college and that lead to George Smith (one of the very early Hollywood studio guitarists) Ted Greene and Jimmy Wyble. I have two or three of his guitar books including the two line etudes he wrote a long time ago. Between he and Van Eps there is enough stuff to bust your fingers for several lifetimes. Do you know if any of his recorded music has been released in CD?Chuck

[onoffon]

Quote:Von,I have been a fan of Jimmy Wyble for some time. Do you know if any of his recorded music has been released in CD?ChuckNone that I know of on CD. I do know of at least five albums that have Jimmy Wyble on them in our archives of the jazz museum. Part of the more than 500 hours of master tapes we are trying to raise the money for to digitally remaster. One of them is "Interpretations for Classic Guitar by Jimmy Wyble - Etudes", a beautiful solo album recorded in various sessions from 1974-76. I see now that one Etude is a dedication to George Van Eps.There's another called, "classical/jazz", by the Jimmy Wyble Trio, with my father on bass, and Roy Harte and Bill Douglas sharing the drum duties.The other albums are with a variety of groups that recorded in their studio.I think Jimmy also worked with Spade Cooley. I'm just learning about his storied career. That's why this museum of ours is so necessary to preserve this musical legacy that will disappear if not taken care of.I'll let Jimmy know he has another fan...

[crs7string]

Von,I took a look at my LP collection last night and I have a copy of "Classical/Jazz" !!!Wasn't Jimmy Wyble also in the Tony Rizzi guitar ensemble that played the arrangements of Charlie Christian tunes?? (kind of a "Super Sax" on guitar thing)Chuck

[onoffon]

Quote:Von,I took a look at my LP collection last night and I have a copy of "Classical/Jazz"!!!Wasn't Jimmy Wyble also in the Tony Rizzi guitar ensemble that played the arrangements of Charlie Christian tunes?? (kind of a "Super Sax" on guitar thing)ChuckUnless it's a bootleg, that album should be on the Jazz Chronicles Label, which was a division of the non-profit my dad started called the Los Angeles Theaseum. That's a very rare album and one of the tapes we want to remaster...I'm not sure about the Tony Rizzi group. I'll ask him next time I see him...Pretty cool that you actually have an album with my dad on it...

[onoffon]

Here's a pretty cool email I just received -"Dear Von,We would appreciate it if you would send us your mailing address, so that we can send you a complementary copy of our film "Severe SuperMoto", which your music is featured in. "Severe Supermoto" was nominated for 2007 Xtremey Awards "Best Race Film of the Year"! We are very thankful for your participation in the film! We hope we can work with you again in future films! If you have any new tunes that you would like us to consider, please send them in and we will check them out. We have a couple new projects in the works, so now is the time to send them in!Best Regards,Severe Racing Films and Products"Just another nice little feather in the cap...