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Michael Poss

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My Jazz Story

I love jazz, particularly the Swing, Big Band type Jazz from the 1930's up to the late 1940's - from Benny Goodman's swing to the stylized Nelson Riddle sound to Count Basie's style of arrangements. It's interesting how the big band sound evolved to a more hip, slick 1960's sound. The sounds of jazz/big band with each decade evolved and some eventually incorporated electronic sampling in the 1990's like the stylized combo of horns with synth keyboard sounds on albums from Swing Out Sister, etc.....

My House Concert Story

I attended a benefit concert to support USC (University Of Southern California's) Music Dept. Guest vocal performances were provided by Marilyn McCoo and Toni Tennile and it was INCREDIBLE! A full Big Band complete with a large string section, hearing and seeing all these musicians live is something everyone should experience, especially children. Schools should have field trips to hear large symphonies and big bands. It would inspire kids to learn and play an instrument, REAL instruments and how each horn and each violin and cello emit the sounds that they do. I had the opportunity to meet both Ms. McCoo and Ms. Tennile after the show. I had mentioned to Ms. McCoo that of all the vocalists I admired growing up in Chicago, Karen Carpenter and Ms. McCoo's voice (of The Fifth Dimension) were among my favorites. Marilyn had tears in her eyes and was touched emotionally. She revealed to me that Karen and her were best friends, and something that I never knew. We both have that ethereal meta-physical connection to Karen Carpenter. You can see pictures, and order my CD's, Cassetes (no joke), and sheet music available on my new website: MichaelPossMusic.com