News and Updates
Jon Smith Back to the Bayou
Jon Smith has returned to Louisiana and has decided to stay there. The Mic Gillette Jon Smith Project has morphed into the Mic Gillette Band, featuring several different guest artists on saxophone (Marc Russo, Goerge Brooks, Skip Mesquite, Johnny Bamont). Mic's daughter Megan is now the percussionist and sings lead on some of the songs. [Posted 11/5/07]
A Special Day at BR Cohn Winery
Mic joined Lara Johnston, Cold Blood, Huey Lewis, The Doobie Brothers, and Tower of Power for a special day at BR Cohn Winery in Sonoma, California, on September 29, 2007. Not your ordinary day! Mic was the first musician ever to play with all five groups at this annual gig. Joel Selvin of the San Francisco Chronicle did a nice writeup about this event. [Posted 10/31/07]
Here's a photo from that gig with Tower of Power:
And another photo with Huey Lewis:
And with the Doobie Brothers:
And with Lara Johnston and Marc Russo:
Mic and Josh
Enjoy this short video clip of Mic Gillette working with one of his young students, Josh. [Posted 10/29/2007]
Electric Flag Horn Section
Mic Gillette has been asked to put together a horn section for the Electric Flag to play at the 40th Anniversary of the Monterey Pop Festival on July 29, 2007. Skip Mesquite will join Mic in this project. Several other Electric Flag gigs are in the works, and there is discussion of possibly recording a CD. [Posted July 12, 2007]
Mic Gillette Jon Smith Project Update
The MicNJon band has been commissioned to record Petula Clark's old hit Downtown as the theme for the Downtown Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas. Details forthcoming. [Posted July 12, 2007]
Mic Gillette Jon Smith Project.
Legendary brass man Mic Gillette and tenor sax blues monster Jon Smith have announced the formation of the Mic Gillette Jon Smith Project, which will make its inaugural appearance Saturday, October 14, 2006, at 6:00 PM at “Groovin’ in the Grove” at Jessie’s Grove Winery, Lodi, California. Gillette, best known for being one of the original Tower of Power horns, and horn section leader, as well as stints with Cold Blood and Blood, Sweat & Tears, has appeared on hundreds of recordings and toured with the Rolling Stones, Elton John, The Doobie Brothers, and Santana, among others. Smith, who made a name for himself with childhood chums Edgar Winter and Jerry LaCroix when they formed Winter’s now-legendary White Trash band in 1969, has been recognized as one of the most soulful sax players around by his peers. He has also recorded with the Grammy-winning band Toto, The Doobie Brothers, Dr. John, Albert Collins, and Randy Newman. Friends for a number of years, Gillette and Smith have always wanted the opportunity to work together. With Smith’s recent move to Northern California, a long-time dream is now coming to fruition as their new project ramps up for its first public appearance. Gillette’s inaugural solo CD, “Ear Candy,” was released last August to critically-acclaimed reviews. Smith is currently in the studio working on his first solo album. --Naive Promotions, LLC, Portland, Oregon. [Posted Aug. 4, 2006]
CD Release Party Photos.
Over 120 photos from Mic's October 6, 2005 CD Release Party are now available on this Web site at this address: http://www.micgillette.com/cd_release_party.php. Enjoy! [Posted Dec. 4, 2005]
A Funky Good Time!
The CD release party for Mic Gillette's 2005 CD, "Ear Candy," was held in Roanoke, Virginia on October 6. The musicians got together for this group photo (see below). How many can you identify? Hint: Mic is in the blue shirt in the foreground. You can also find Larry Braggs and Stephen "Doc" Kupka from Tower of Power, Bill Champlin from the Sons of Champlin, and more.
Ear Candy Hits the Airwaves.
Following Jay Leno's monologue on NBC on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2005, the Tonight Show Band (featuring former Tower of Power trumpeter Lee Thornburg front and center) played Mic Gillette's "Funky Good Time" from the Ear Candy CD as they went to commercial. A photo of Lee and Mic (with former T.o.P. trumpeter Greg Adams) is posted further down this page. Further, we have learned that the CBS Orchestra also recently played its version of "Funky Good Time" on Late Night With David Letterman. [Posted 10/21/2005]
Ear Candy CD Release Party
Mic Gillette, original lead trumpet for the legendary Tower of Power, steps out on his own in concert with his world-class musician friends to celebrate the release of his debut solo CD, "Ear Candy," in Roanoke, Virginia, on Thursday, October 6, 2005. Scheduled to appear: Bill Champlin, Stephen "Doc" Kupka, Larry Braggs and Roanoke's own Jane L. Powell. Tickets are available right now at http://www.jeffcenter.org. You may also call the Box Office for tickets: 540-345-2550 or 866-345-2550. For more information about this once-in-a-lifetime show, visit: http://www.bkarecords.com/micgilletteconcert.htm. [Posted 08/10/2005; Updated 09/07/2005]
Mic at Martinsville.
Mic spent the 2005 4th of July weekend in Virginia, where he appeared on the same program at the Martinsville Speedway (NASCAR) with The Domino Band. Headliner: Trick Pony. This free event drew a crowd of more than 40,000. See photos directly below this item. [Posted 07/05/2005]
Remembering Keith Knudsen.
Mic joins with thousands of
others in mourning the loss of Doobie Brothers' drummer Keith Knudsen, who died
this week. Mic appeared many times with Keith and considered him a good friend
and a great person. "We're all devastated by his sudden demise," said
Mic. Please remember Keith's family and friends in your prayers, if you are so
inclined. [Posted 02/11/2005]
Documentary Video.
Rocky Barbanica of ROC Video Productions
recently completed a short video documentary of the life and times of Mic Gillette.
You may view it online for a limited time period at this address: http://www.RockVideos.US.
[Posted 12/20/2004]
Bill Champlin Joins New CD.
Bill Champlin will sing vocals
and play the B-3 on one track of Mic's forthcoming solo CD. Mic and Bill will
be in the recording studio with Marc Russo on December 7. [Posted 11/25/2004]
Mix Magazine Article.
Mix Magazine recently did an article
in their October issue about the historic recording session of the original Tower
of Power Horns (see below). You can read the article at this Web address: http://mixonline.com/mag/audio_hip_sy_kopps/.
[Posted 11/13/2004]
An Historic Day in Oakland.
On July 18, 2004, a bunch of old friends got together
to lay down some tracks for Mic Gillette's forthcoming solo CD, due out in the
latter part of 2004. The Tower of Power horn section from 1972—Emilio
Castillo, Stephen "Doc" Kupka, Skip Mesquite, Greg
Adams and Mic Gillette—got together with bassist Francis Rocco
Prestia to make some new music. There was also another recognizable name in
attendance—Bruce Steinberg, famous for his numerous album and CD covers
and artwork. Rocky Barbanica of ROC Video Productions was in attendance and shot
video footage of this historic occasion. There are 17 pages of photographs from
this session on Rocky's Web site, as well as a 2-minute video. If you want to
see live footage of the guys at work (30+ years after they last worked
together!), check out Rocky's Web site at: http://www.RockVideos.us.
A sample photo from Rocky's collection is shown above. Pictured from left: Greg,
Doc, Mic, Skip, Bruce and Emilio. Click
here for a keepsake photo of this 5-man horn section. [Posted 07/28/2004]
Photos Copyright © 2004, Rocky Barbanica,
ROC Video Productions. Used with permission.
Romanticas Now Available.
A new CD by Jeff Eaton, Romanticas (see cover
photo at right), is now available on his Web site: http://www.jeffeatonmusic.com.
Containing some mighty fine easy listening and Latin grooves, it features Mic Gillette and other Bay Area musicians that you might recognize: David Garibaldi, Rose Ann Dimalanta (rad), Mark Van
Wageningen, Ray Obiedo, Pete Escovedo, Tony Lindsay (Santana), Dave Stone (Huey Lewis), Tony Menjivar (Malo),
and lots more! Check out the MicMeister's trombone solo on Jeff's cover
of Sly's If You Want Me 2 Stay! See
a photo of Mic, Jeff, and Ray Vega (Tito Puente) from a recent gig.
[Posted 07/05/2004]
New CD Available.
On May 18, 2004, Mic Gillette recorded with
the Roosevelt Middle School in San Francisco. A new CD of this classical
concert is now available. It includes "Bugler's Holiday,"
featuring Mic's high school students Mike Torres and Jared Daley; "Hayden's
Trumpet Concerto in Eb" (all three movements); and "Trumpeter's
Lullaby." Mic describes Roosevelt as a true "inner city"
school with some very good and some intermediate young musicians. He
notes that the CD is "a little rough-edged, but the sincerity is
there." The CD is available for $10. Contact Keith Jones, conductor,
at Kingofbarstow1@aol.com. Price includes shipping. [Posted 06/21/2004]
Back to Oakland: Again!
The original Tower of Power Horn
Section: Emilio Castillo, Stephen "Doc" Kupka, Skip Mesquite,
Greg Adams and Mic Gillette, will be in the recording studio in Oakland,
California on Sunday, July 18, 2004, for an historical session
to record two tracks for the forthcoming Mic Gillette CD. Bassist Francis
Rocco Prestia will also record a track with the horns. Additional information
will be posted as soon as possible. [Posted 05/16/2004]
All-Star 35th Reunion.
Mic is in the process of putting together
an All-Star type band for his 35th high school reunion at Mission San
Jose High School in Fremont, CA. More details as they become available!
[Posted 05/10/2004]
Where There's a Will...
Will Porter's debut recording, Happy,
is now available at CDBaby.com. Mic Gillette is one of a stellar lineup
of artists gracing this CD including Billy Preston, Barbara Lucas, Leo
Nocentelli and the Louisiana Philharmonic Strings. "I insisted
on being aboard with Will," Mic said. "...One of my favorite
projects of all time." Read the
PDF review (1.2MB Adobe PDF, 7 minute download on 56K modem). [Posted
04/07/2004]
Tony Adamo CD Sampler.
Mic Gillette appears with two of his
old Tower of Power buddies, tenor saxophonist Skip Mesquite and
baritone saxophonist Stephen "Doc" Kupka on the new
2004 Tony Adamo CD Sampler #2, Up In It. It is jazzy. It is soulful.
It is funky. This is the type of music that Mic Gillette fans will enjoy
immensely. To hear a 60-second Flash 5.0 120K .SWF sample from the title
track, click here. For more
information about jazz vocalist Tony Adamo, visit: http://www.jazznow.com.
[Posted 03/21/2004]
Towering Trumpets.
Three good friends recently got together
for a gig in Modesto, California (see photo below). Now here's a horn
section for you, from left: Lee Thornburg, Greg Adams and Mic Gillette.
[Posted 02/20/2004]
In Memory of Corny.
Personal note from Mic: "Cornelius
Bumpus, my old friend and fellow horn player extraordinaire (Steely
Dan, Doobie Brothers, etc.) suffered a fatal heart attack on his flight
to California from New York this morning. He was on his way here to
play the annual Gold Country gigs we do together every year. Wonderful,
soulful man who could sing and play with the best of them, and often
did. He wil be missed by many people. He was my friend." Mic's
calendar dates on Feb. 5-7 are cancelled. [Posted 02/03/04]
Hey Big Brother.
Newly-published is a biography by Michael Spoerke
about Big Brother and the Holding Co. The book includes remarks about
Mic Gillette and the Tower of Power Horn Section who appeared on the
band's 1970 album, Be A Brother. Mic Gillette is one of many
artists who was interviewed for this publication. A newly-created Web
site is also available for those who are interested (it is written entirely
in German): http://www.bbhc-the-biography.com/.
[Posted 08/24/03]
Mic
Endorses Marcinkiewicz.
Mic Gillette announced recently that he
will play and endorse Marcinkiewicz trumpets and mouthpieces. See Mic's Equipment page for details. [Posted 07/15/03]
Will Porter CD Now Available.
The new Will Porter CD, Happy, featuring Billy Preston, Barbara Lewis, Leo Nocentelli of The Meters, and Mic Gillette is now
available on Porter's Web site at: http://www.willporter.com.
[Posted 02/18/03]
New Sons CD Now Available.
The January 2003 Sons of Champlin CD, Secret, is now available on their Web site: http://www.sonsofchamplin.com.
Mic is pictured below during one of the actual recording sessions for
this CD. [Posted 01/26/03]
Jazz Festival Appearance.
Mic Gillette will be featured at the
Lafayette (California) Jazz Festival playing with the big bands from
Stanley Middle School and Acalanes High School, March 6 and 8, 2003.
He will be performing an arrangement of This Time It's Real,
and a medley of You're Still a Young Man, You Got to Funkifize,
and Give Me The Proof. [Posted 01/22/03]
Mic Contributes to #1 CD.
This from Tony Adamo, the mighty fine
Bay Area vocalist whose 2002 CD, Simple Groove, is now available
online: "Not only did Mic play on my Simple Groove CD. On No Strings Attached Mic also wrote the horn arrangement. No
Strings Attached was #1 for two weeks at loudenergy.com's Smooth
Jazz charts. On my new CD, Dance of Love on Rhombus Records,
Mic wrote the horn arrangements and plays on Mystery, No Strings and Rhythm of Your Love. Mic's horn section on Dance of Love includes Skip Mesquite and the funky Doc Kupka." For more information about Tony Adamo's recordings, visit http://www.jazznow.com/Adamo/adindex.html.
[Posted 10/15/02]
