July, 2003

The Drummer Drives the Truck

By Carmen Jones

The above is a quote from James Alton George, Jr., known to us all as Jim-George. He admits that it was told to him by and old band member, MZ Jones of the MZ Jones Blues Band, some years ago. This was in response to a question that I put to him regarding who sets the time and who sets the rhythm in a band. Jim-George was an only child, born to Mona Henderson George and James Alton George, Sr. He was born in New Orleans and grew up in Baton Rouge. Jim-George's mother is a 40-year member of the House of Representatives and his father is a maritime attorney. Jim-George grew up playing the piano and singing. He didn't discover the drums til he was in high school. When he attended University High School, he sang in the choir and participated in some musicals like HMS Pinafore by Gilbert and Sullivan. He graduated in 1983. In 1984, he began playing drums with some "no name punk bands". He didn't buy his first set of drums until 1985, which was a kit that had been stored in somebody's attic for 15 years. He won a Vocal Music Scholarship to LSU. At that time, he mostly played drums by "ear". Once in college, he began to take lessons. "It was hard to learn to transfer what I heard into technical stuff. But I had to, to make a grade in college". His major in college became Instrumental music "but I just couldn't follow." He began doing "pick up" gigs on the road. And playing with various bands in town: See Jane Run, Mr. Smoke 2 Much, Tin Can, LA Overdrive, Rudy's Shoes, Randy T and the Rascals, Elvin Killerbee, Henry Gray, T-Bone Singleton, Harmonica Red, Kenny Acosta, he was the first drummer for the Heavy Storm Band, Eye Witness Blues, Troy Turner, Larry Garner, the Meteors, Susan Owens and Michael Wolfe to name a few. He was the house drummer at Phil Brady's for 8 years. Jim-George supported a family for 17 years, just playing music. His earliest musical influence was Billy Joel, who got him interested in song writing. He also loved Prince. In high school and college he was head of the Prince Fan Club for the region until New Orleans took it over. Drummers that influenced him were Buddy Rich, Gene Kruppa and Sheila E. "I studied Brian Holmes, the drummer for the Producers Band. Their hit song was 'She Sheila', in the early 80's." He states he enjoys all types of music, from soft to hard rock.

This 38 year old has other interests outside of music. He's an avid graphic artist. In high school, he won a local and state competition for his design of a handicap poster and still loves to fool around with it. He also, likes "photo in sound." He was head sound technician on a couple of independent movies shot here in Baton Rouge, 'Shooting Air and Razor in a Box', directed by Scott Purdin. And needless to say, he's interested in sound recording. Jim-George has been married twice and is the father of 2 children, Chandler age 7 and Reagan 5.

June, 2003

Sed Sedlack - The Sax Man

By Carmen Jones

You've heard of "blowhards", well this is one of them. Sed has been blowing hard since he was 4 years old. Starting out on a clarinet, his father wanted him to play classical music. Drawn to the clarinet by the big Bands of the '30s, he loved this genre.

That is, until he heard Charlie Parker. His uncle was a club owner in Chicago, where Sed hails from, originally, and Charlie was doing a gig there. His dad was a big jazz fan and took him to see Charlie Parker and that blew that! He was too young at the time to get into the club, so all he could do was stand by the door. From that point on, "I was hooked on the sax and that's when I knew what I was going to play." He went to a pawnshop and bought his first tenor sax and used to carry it around in a paper bag because he had no case. Climbing out of his bedroom window, he would sneak out and sit in on gigs. Sed grew up with the big bands and swing music of the '30s. He can play all the wind instruments, flute, clarinet, tenor, alto and bass saxophones, and the trumpet. He's been a full-time musician since he completed his tour in the in the Army, 1959 - 1965, when he moved to Baton Rouge.

In 1965, Sed began to play with local musicians and across the river with Dale & Gracie and the Delmonts. He played here and New Orleans, when he was not on the road. In New Orleans, he played the Tyler Club with James Rivers on alto sax, Emily Remler on guitar, Jim Singleton on upright bass, Johnny Vadagovich, and Eugene Ross, also on guitar. He also, played with 'Lil Queenie and the Percolators. Before the Snug Harbor was the Snug Harbor, it was the Fauburg and they did gigs there as well

They also, played an old club called Lou and Charlie's. Initially, his forte was jazz because in Chicago, he had been taught and influenced by the very best, Gene Ammons, Sonny Stitt and Dexter Gordon. But Sed says, "if you're gonna make a living doing this, you have to play everything". Versatility is what kept him in demand and eating, all these years.

His first "road trip" was to Las Vegas, the "Vegas Tour Show", in 1960s. Seems back then, he was always on the road. This afforded him the opportunity to play with Ray Charles and Albert Collins. But his first "serious" road trip was with Gatemouth Brown in 1976.

With a musical career spanning more than 40 years, he's been on so many albums that he can't recall them all, Patti Labelle and Greg Wright, who was Michael Jackson's guitar man, are a couple of the biggest names that came to mind; and many, many studio sessions.

Presently, he is a freelance sax man, not being a permanent with any particular band; gigs with the Boogie Kings, 'Lil Ray Neal and one of his favorites, Kenny Neal, "I love playing with that guy, he puts so much feeling into his playing," are in the near future. He and Kenny had a gig at the New Orleans Jazzfest this year.

When asked what he thought about the Baton Rouge music scene, he responded, "I think Chris Alexander is doing something good for this city. He's bringing in good music to the club, which helps everybody, it helps the musicians with exposure and introduces the artists to the public here, that may have never heard them before." I also, asked Sed, as a whole, or in general, where did he think music was headed: "I don't criticize any music, but the driving force behind all music has always been Black. Music has to go back to its roots, return to the Duke (Ellington) and the Count (Basie) and Billie Holliday. Rap is a dead end, once it runs its course, there's nothing left to build on. Music has to go back, somehow, through the electric and the technology and all this new stuff, it has to find its way back."

Sed has been married and has 2 children, one living in New Hampshire and one in Pensacola, Florida.

May, 2003

Kristin Diable

By Lana Roberts

Kristin Diable will be coming home to give two perfomances May 3, one at Fest For All and then another at Chelsae's at LSU. This is the first time she's been back since her move to New York in January. So be sure to catch her!

Her debut CD In My Mind features the ever popular track "Excuse You," which was recorded with the help of Incubus guitarist Mike Einziger.

Nineteen-year-old Kristin is busy now touring and working on a new album under the label of Meridian Jane Records. The new record will feature Soulhouse drummer Michael Russo and bassist Matt Heroman. She'll also be introducing the electric guitar, though there will be plenty of acoustic songs, as well.

For more info on Kristin, go to www.kristindiable.com.