![]() ![]() I wrote that down and put that scrap of paper away.Ī few months later, digging about in my favourite second hand record store in Leicester, I come across a 1974 vinyl LP called “Back To Oakland,” by Tower of Power – and the second cut in leapt out at me. By a band I had not heard of called…Tower Of Power. That song was called “Don’t Change Horses In The Middle Of The Stream”. Bored, I was reading a music ‘paper in the corridor when they fired out this amazing song, with a deep groove and the horn section took my head off. My Step-Dad was a pro trumpet player, and he was in a big band formed by a visiting US band leader, and I went along to a rehearsal one foggy winter’s night in a freezing cold school hall. This band are my personal all-time favourites, since I discovered their music in the 70s, when I was a teenager. My job as a music journalist and photographer sometimes brings me into contact with an artist or a band who I dig. I will declare an interest at this juncture. Currently promoting their fabulous new album “Soul Side Of The Street”, released in June last year (2018). They will also be playing the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam in July. Tower Of Power are celebrating 50 years on their current tour, which calls in to the UK for just three shows: Birmingham Town Hall 28 th May, Manchester 02 Ritz 29 th May and London’s Royal Albert Hall, 30 th May 2019. Talking about his 20 year addiction to heroin, cocaine and booze – losing millions of dollars in the process, and almost his life… With Emilio Castillo, he co-wrote “Happy ‘Bout That” and “Stranger In My Own House” for Tower of Power’s Oakland Zone (Or Music, 2003), and the bonus track “Nothing Like It” for the European edition.Tower of Power bandleader Emilio Castillo held nothing back during a brutally honest interview with Music Republic Magazine editor Simon Redley. ![]() Leo Sacks is a freelance record producer in New York. He has recorded John Clayton’s arrangements with members of the CHJO on CDs with Michael Buble, David Foster, Jamiroquoi, Rene Olstad, Paul Anka, Joss Stone, Charles Aznevour, Gladys Knight and Diana Krall.Īll band member biographies were compiled by Leo Sacks. Downbeat Magazine rated the CHJO as the #1 Big Band in the USA in 2007. He has toured and recorded with the Clayton/ Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and has played with them since 2003. In 2004 through 2006 the California Arts Council sponsored Sal and Melanie’s sextet. In 2001, their CD, “Fly”, was nominated for a Latin Grammy. He performed with his own sextet featuring his wife, Melanie Jackson, on vocals. He has also done worldwide tours with such artists as Tom Jones, Vicki Carr, Brian Setzer, Michael Bolton and Harry Connick Jr. He recorded on Bobby Shew’s, “Salsa Caliente” CD, in 1998. He performed for, and with, these artists at the Monterey, Playboy, Concord, and Nice Jazz Festivals plus many others throughout the U.S., Europe, Canada, Mexico, South America, Thailand and Japan. With Poncho, he has played and recorded with Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Hubbard, Cal Tjader, Chick Corea, Stanley Turentine, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Clare Fischer, Gary Foster, Arturo Sandoval, Eddie Harris, Joey DeFrancesco, Dianne Reeves, Justo Almario, Andy Martin and Celia Cruz. Since then, with Poncho and other acts, Sal has traveled to 38 countries globally. N the late-80s, Poncho started traveling internationally. While in this band, Sal played with such jazz greats as Warren Marsh, Lee Konitz, and Peter Erskine. While working with Poncho, in the 1980s, he was a member of the Pasadena City College Big Band under the direction of saxophonist, Gary Foster. In 1977 he started a long musical relationship with Poncho Sanchez, which ultimately let to 18 albums. ![]() He started working as a professional musician at 15 in nightclubs with various R&B and Latin bands. By his Junior and Senior year of High School, he was attending Cerritos College playing in their jazz and concert bands. He played in concert, marching and jazz band in high school. His mother, Edith, was his first trumpet teacher and started Sal on trumpet at the age of 12. ![]() His father, Sal Cracchiolo I, owned a music studio where he taught piano and played professional accordion. Salvator William Cracchiolo II was born in Long Beach, California as the son of two talented music teachers. ![]()
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