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Take Five With Felix Langford

By AAJ Staff
May 17, 2013
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Meet Felix Langford:

At 13, I fell in love with the art of percussion and I credit my brother, John (Doc), as the one responsible for teaching me basic beats and exposing my ears to some of the hippest and most innovative cats on the jazz scene. He exposed me to trendsetters like

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane,

Miles Davis

trumpet
1926 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Miles Davis,

Dizzy Gillespie

trumpet
1917 - 1993

" data-original-title="" title="">Dizzy Gillespie,

Thelonious Monk

piano
1917 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Thelonious Monk, Candido Camero,

Charlie Parker

saxophone, alto
1920 - 1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Parker,

Wes Montgomery

guitar
1923 - 1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Wes Montgomery,

Grant Green

guitar
1935 - 1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Grant Green,

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock,

Chick Corea

piano
1941 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Chick Corea, and

Mongo Santamaria

percussion
1917 - 2003

" data-original-title="" title="">Mongo Santamaria, just to name a few. Love ya Doc!

During the same time, I participated in daily jam sessions on "The Hill" with childhood friends like Pabo "Cuco" Ramos (RIP), "Cele" Perez, Willie Silva, and other Latin compadres. . These jam sessions were a daily ritual for me.

At 15, with only one conga, I joined my first band called The Oddyssey Band. It was redhot 10-piece cover band that included my younger brother Herb (Lil'

Jimi Hendrix

guitar, electric
1942 - 1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimi Hendrix) on lead guitar, my cousin Mike Moon on bass, and a badass horn section like Earth, Wind & Fire's Phoenix Horns and Tower Of Power's Horns. We went on to win many Battle Of The Bands competitions.

Instrument(s):

Percussion.

Teachers and/or influences?

Earth,Wind & Fire,

Jeff Lorber

keyboards
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeff Lorber,

Yellowjackets

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1977

" data-original-title="" title="">Yellowjackets.

I knew I wanted to be a musician when...

I felt the power of emotion that music can bring in movies, commercials, and everywhere. Music makes the world go round!

Your sound and approach to music:

I call my approach NuUrbanJazz with a dash of funk.

Your teaching approach:

Is to let the student first find themselves. Their likes, dislikes, etc. Then and only then can they begin to take a personal approach to learning an instrument.

Your dream band:

Bass, drums, keys, lead guitar, horns, and of course myself on percussion!

Norman Brown

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Norman Brown, Oli Silk,

Peter White

guitar
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter White,

Najee

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Najee. This list could go on and on, ya dig?

Road story: Your best or worst experience:

Opened for Najee at African World Fest in Milwaukee years ago when he first hit the scene.The opening reggae song was one I had written and on which I sang lead vocals. Just before taking the stage I looked out at the crowd and saw Najee! The old stage fright kicked in and I hit the restroom and vomited a few times then hit the stage again. The performance went well and Najee even commented on how we had the crowd rockin'!

Favorite venue:

African World Festival and SummerFest, both in Milwaukee.

Your favorite recording in your discography and why?

All of Earth,Wind and Fire, because of the deep messages and expert musicianship. Love them!

The first Jazz album I bought was:

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock's Headhunters.

What do you think is the most important thing you are contributing musically?

A form of escape into my musical mindset. It's all personal. Just as Mozart, Beethoven, and all the greats conveyed their emotions in their music. It is the same with my music!

Did you know...

I was a zookeepee at The Milwakee. Co. Zoo for over a decade!

CDs you are listening to now:

Workin' on my own project right now. But I do tune in to jazzradio.com when I get the chance.

Desert Island picks:

Anything by Earth,Wind & Fire on Columbia Records.

How would you describe the state of jazz today?

Alive and well!

What are some of the essential requirements to keep jazz alive and growing?

Exposure and the support of jazz venues when and wherever possible.

What is in the near future?

Just released the title track from my upcoming album, Can We Dance on April 15, 2013. Currently working to complete project. Hopefully, it will soon be released later this year. Dig?

What's your greatest fear when you perform?

The mix!

What song would you like played at your funeral?

"The Greatest Love of All," by

George Benson

guitar
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">George Benson.

What is your favorite song to whistle or sing in the shower?

"Reasons," by EWF.

By Day:

Retired.

If I weren't a jazz musician, I would be a:

A zookeeper.

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