ABSOLUTE FUNK: Honoring GEORGE CLINTON with Ray Chew Live at Apollo Theater

There We go!Here We GO!!!I still feel like it was like a dream night on Tuesday, October 25@Apollo Theater.
Dr. Funkenstein, founder of Parliament/Funkadelic and ringmaster of the funkiest music-making circus on the planet-George Clinton Tribute night by All-Stars- Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell, Sheila E., Nona Hendryx, Hezekiah Walker, Paul Shaffer, DJ Kool Herc, Doug E. Fresh, Ray Chew, Vernon Reid, Full Force, Questlove, TM Stevens, Dallas Austin, Richard Smallwood, Valerie Boyd, Marley Marl, Fab 5 Freddy, Tye Tribbert, Joel Ortiz and more!
When I got there, already the venue was full of FUNKATEERS and MR. George Clinton was sitting on the balcony seat with his family already looking down who were coming there! When I found him from my Orchestra seats, GEORGE FOUND ME TOO!!! AND WAVED HIS BIG HANDS TO ME FROM BALCONY!!!!!!!!!!! OH I Love George!!! 
The show started with Tye Tribbert then Full Force came out. Good start, good start. Our Funk blood started excited... then Shiela E! WOW... She is the only and only Shiela... WOW! She killed it!

Meanwhile Bootsy Collins and Bernie Worrell came to see George Clinton at the balcony, I saw the moment when they hugged and BIG SMILE on All of them! Doctor Cornel West came to the balcony too. I saw that moment, I saw it! All were hugging and really happy together, thats the moment! I heard George got tears to see them at that time...wow. LOVE!
Paul Shaffer from Late Night with David Letterman, he funked the vibe so as NONA HENDRYX- <Who got her start recording with Patti LaBelle before releasing a solo album. She has worked with such diverse collaborators as the Talking Heads, Bill Laswell, and Bootsy Collins, among others.>
Some of The P-FUNK all stars memebers were there on the stage with RAY CHEW band. Ray Chew and his wife VIVIAN SCOTT CHEW, thank you so much for this wonderful moment.
Vivian was the one who gave him his last major deal on Sony with T.A.P.O.A.F.O.M in '96 and landed the Mothership in Central Park with Bootsy Collins! Again VIVIAN, Thank you so much for this beautiful night and RAY CHEW!GREAT WORK!
Ray Chew is a World renowned musician, composer  and producer  Ray Chew is Musical Director  for  3 network television series – NBC’s The Singing Bee, Showtime At the Apollo and BET’s Sunday Best. He is
also responsible for  the music in Donald Trump’s Miss USA, Miss Universe and Miss Teen USA pageants. Ray’s most recent turn at musical director  for  BET’s ground breaking event – The BET Honors – features a piano duet with Stevie Wonder, in addition to signature performances by Gladys Knight, Brian McKnight and Jill Scott and John Legend.Ray Chew has been at the helm of award winning musical events – live and televised – performing with countless legendary artists such as Barry Manilow, Sting, James Taylor, the 4-Tops, Dionne Warwick, Elvis Costello, Smokey Robinson, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Kirk Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Aretha Franklin and Quincy Jones. Ray’s other recent televised performances as Musical Director of the 2007 BET Awards and the 7th Annual BET Celebration of Gospel resulted in critical acclaim throughout the artist community and an NAACP Image Award.

In the Band, I saw Alyson Williams and Kalli Sae in the backing vocal section! I was with my dearest Bro, Thomas Dyani the fantastic percussionist who is from Incognito-London (he was visiting NY after SHAKIRA WORLD TOUR) , Kelli Sae used to be a singer for Incognito. We were actually talking about her just before we got there. So weird moment to see her on the stage, we really didnt expect seeing her there! 
Alyson is Lafayette Harris's friend and we were on the same stage at Zinc bar the other day!
Questlove came out to hit the drum with PFunk and others, 
My PFUNK FAMILY--- P-Nut, Garrett Shider, Kendra, Paul Hill, Michael Hampton, Michael Clip Payne, TM STEVENS (We always talk in Japanese in front of everyone and love to surprise people! We did it this time again!!!hahaha) Frankie Kash, Boogie, and more. I LOVE YOU GUYS and THANK YOU FOR TREATING ME AS A FAMILY always! Also my Funkateers family, like Ed, Carter, and more... thank you always!
When Bootsy and Bernnie came out on the stage, started singing <TOUCH> and as usual Bootsy came down to the audience seats... people got in FIRE! Funny and great TM STEVENS was playing BASS for Bootsy as Bootsy's STAR bass didnt work somehow.. 
Sorry for my dear friend, Alan - Sound Engineer for Bootsy, I could see he was so stressed out coz the bass didnt work and actually Bootsy did the show without his FUNK STAR BASS!
(Alan told me that 10 min before the show, it was fine but somehow all of sudden didnt work once the show started...local production's fault...!Ahhhh... Bootsy's Bass...)
George Clinton couldnt stand sitting in the balcony seats any more...ran came down to the stage and sang for Bootsy! It was Great seeing them together! 
And more, that day was BOOTSY's 60th Birthday!
We celebrated his Birthday with George Clinton and all other stars! That was beautiful~~~~~~~!!!
At the end of the show, everyone came out to the stage and that was a big time historical moment!That was WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!
I met DJ/Producer Marley Marl in the audience, its always nice seeing him and his girlfriend, also I heard Jay-Z and Oprah Winfrey were in the audience too.  
D'Angelo was invited to come to the show by George but I heard he became a chicken and told him < Do your thing, I do my thing...> hmmm. sad... I wanted to see him there too!
DJ Kool Herc and more came out to the stage, after the show I greeted some of my people and went to after party that was at TIME HOTEL.
Actually At After party we saw LADY GAGA came thru. Here is the article about it.

Who knew Lady Gaga was an ace at pool, even in sky-high black boots? The superstar showed off her skills to funk legend George Clinton, Bootsy Collins and Paul Shaffer at Inc Lounge at the Time Hotel on Wednesday night.

A spy told us that Gaga, who had been at George’s tribute at the Apollo Theater, “slipped into the lounge with a small entourage, wearing a black hood which covered most of her head. She had extremely high-heeled black boots.”

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/lady_at_the_table_2xsNcOUxsUJawQT5L9r8eM#ixzz1d8TJHb7h  (Thank you Ken Simmons to let me know! Vivian appreciate it too!)
I missed seeing George Clinton as we got there a bit late and he was already left and in bed. 
Damnnnnn! I wanted to see him really badly on this special day! But its ok... he knows that I was there...
I could see Ray Chew, my PFunk family, Nona Hendryx, Ken Simmons, Alan, Carter, and some of my new friends, and BOOTSY Came out!
His wife never remember me but BOOTSY remembered me well and I could tell him HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Thats all great! My Day was amazing. This moment... wow... !
Again thank you Ray and Vivian, and the musicians for this special night. I will never forget this special FUNK night!I LOVE FUNK!

RAKIM~Maceo Parker, Pee Wee Ellis, Fred Wesley~Christian McBride~Pharoahe Monch~etc

 O~~~~~~~~~~~~~LD SCHOOL, RAKIM!RAKIM RAKIM!
OH OH OH, I was so excited when I was invited to RAKIM show in Boston! That legendary RAKIM from Rakim and Eric B! 
Eric B. & Rakim were a hip-hop duo composed of DJ Eric Barrier and MC Rakim.Hailing from Long Island, New York, the pair are generally considered by hip hop enthusiasts to be one of the most influential and innovative groups in the genre. During hip hop's "golden age" of the mid-1980s to the early 90s, the duo was almost universally regarded as the premier MC/DJcombo in hip hop. The two had a potent chemistry; the duo's beats built on the hard-hitting sound of Run-D.M.C. by adding James Brown samples and Eric B's scratching, setting the stage for hip hop's late-1980s/early-1990s infatuation with samples from Brown
I actually wasn't sure if I can make it to Boston but somehow made it with taking China bus for 5 hours after my work. Its amazing that only $15 for one way to Boston from NY.
When I got there it was already show started time but luckily it was pushed back and started late. I was there just the right timing! My booking agent friend, Rich Mason (AKA Balewa) took me inside the venue and found out that is a TV shooting for MC battle. The Winner will have the opportunity to have contract with Eminem label and the judges are Rakim, Pharoahe Monch, and Jean Grae, hosted by BUN B. In between the kids battling, they performed and of course Rakim was the MAIN performer! Killing it, Killing it! I always like to see Pharoahe's performance on the stage as he is very passionate and powerful. But Rakim... wow... what can I say...? I was sitting next to Rakim's wife all the time. I didnt know the lady sitting next to me was Rakim's wife...so was joking around all the time but then Rakim came to pick her up after the show, then I was like <ohhhhhhh ahhhhhh.....> speachless. 
I was hanging with Rakim's wife whole night!Then after the show we went to Ra's dress room so many people came to appreciate him. He is a KING! At the hotel they were staying was next to the venue and connected with the elevator. After getting off the elevator, I found Pharoahe Monch and DJ Boogie Blind!I spoke to Pharoahe a bit and he remembered me when and where we met the first time. He is always a nice guy and very cool! No one tells bad things about him!!! 
At hotel lobby, one drunk girl came up to Rakim and was asking for autograph. Then she was asking Rakim's wife, Felicia if she can have a cookie. Felicia was like < it depends on WHAT KINDA COOKIE she wants> then that cracks me up! She said < not my big Chunky chocolate cookie, you can take vanilla or chocolate chip but not MY BIG CHUNKY CHOCOLATE ONE!!!> that was FUNNY!
Rakim was laughing and said < y'all girls are crazy~~~!> 

We all got together in Rakim's hotel room again and talked whole night about music, life, record covers that influenced us the most... Actually Rakim's most influential LP cover was GEORGE CLINTON and P-FUNK! When I heard about it, I was like YES, YES here my GOD's name again!!! FUNK FUNK!
He was talking about Central park's concert for Summer Stage, his new projects and of course Shoes... 
All and all we had a great fun time together and I am so glad that I was at that moment there with them talking music stuff more and more with legends. Thank you so much for inviting and letting me be there! 
<Actually a few days ago Rakim's beautiful wife texted me and told me that she had a such a fun great night in Boston and lets keep in touch! You know what this means to me??? WOOOW...!!!>

I ran into Rakim another day soon after---> 

https://youtu.be/3MmE_qRUNpE

The next day, after having brunch in Boston, took a china bus again and headed back to NY for MACEO PARKER, PEE WEE ELLIS, and FRED WESLEY show at Town Hall on Oct 06 2011.
The bus got delayed again and took me 5 hours to get back, I was worried if I could make it on time for the show. But somehow I made it! 
My seat was very first law in the center and right in front of Fred Wesley! His Trombone was right in front of my face! I was joking that I dont want to get his spit on my face but that was almost like that closed to his Trombone! And Maceo Parker! Of course, of course..This day was Pee Wee's 70th Birthday. 
Maceo Parker is an American funk and soul jazzsaxophonist, best known for his work with James Brown in the 1960s, as well as Parliament-Funkadelic in the 1970s. Parker was a prominent soloist on many of Brown's hit recordings, and a key part of his band, playing alto, tenor and baritone saxophones. He is now just as well known for his own shows, as he has toured continuously under his own name since the early 1990s and has built up a strong fan base. --->http://www.maceo.com/
Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis is an American saxophonist, composer andarranger. He was an important member of James Brown's band in the 1960s and appeared on many of Brown's most notable recordings. He also worked closely with Van Morrison. In later years, he became a resident of England, living in the town of Frome in the county ofSomerset.--->http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_%22Pee_Wee%22_Ellis
Fred Wesley is an American jazz and funk trombonist, best known for his work with James Brown in the 1960s and 1970s. He left Brown's band in 1975 and spent several years playing with George Clinton's various Parliament-Funkadelic projects, even recording a couple of albums as the leader of a spin-off group, The Horny Horns.Also played and recorded with so many artists like Ray Charles, Lionel Hampton, Randy Crawford, Vanessa Williams, The SOS Band, Cameo, Van Morrison, Socalled and rappers De La Soul, singer Mary J. Blige, D'Angelo and more--->http://www.funkyfredwesley.com/
All these legends were dancing, blowing their horns, and singing up!!! In the band, Christian McBride was on bass. He looked so happy to play with those legends. To be honest, it was not like P-Funk's Funk vibe, more likely Jazz Funk vibe but still amazing funk is funk! People got crazy screaming, and dancing with them!
 Christian McBride is an American jazzbassist. His father, Lee Smith, and his great uncle, Howard Cooper, are well known Philadelphia bassists who served as McBride's early mentors. He is regarded as a virtuoso, and is one of the most recorded musicians of his generation, having appeared on close to 300 recordings as a sideman before the age of 40 likeFreddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Diana Krall,Roy Haynes, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Wynton Marsalis, Hank Jones, Joshua Redman, and Ray Brown's "Superbass" with John Clayton, as well as with hip-hop, pop, soul, and classical musicians like The Roots, Kathleen Battle, Carly Simon, Sting, Bruce Hornsby, and James Brown. --->http://www.christianmcbride.com/
After the show we met all the legends including Christian. Always always nice to see those legends and their family, friends. Beautiful moment. meeting up new people also re-connect with old friends.

Christian McBride, I met him some years ago through Roy Haynes at Blue Note. That was Roy Haynes's birthday gig, with special guests my dear ROY HARGROVE and CHRISTIAN McBRIDE! Amazing show always. Roy Haynes's son and my friend Craig Holiday Haynes invited me 2 nights actually. Very special nights and had great time. Since then I have met Christian time to time, most of time he was playing with Roy Haynes. Roy Owen Haynes is an American jazz drummer and bandleader. Haynes is among the most recorded drummers in jazz, and in a career lasting more than 60 years has played in a wide range of styles ranging from swing and bebop to jazz fusion and avant-garde jazz. He has a highly expressive, personal style ("Snap Crackle" was a nickname given him in the 1950s) and is known to foster a deep engagement in his bandmates
This time was with Funk Legends and he was so excited and even after the show he was still excited!
Fred Wesley was trying to sell his CD after the show at the entrance and gathered by his beautiful people. I wanted to talk more about LA connection and his Funk but I got shy all of sudden...(well I am a shy person normally...) 
On Saturday Oct 8th, BedStuy in Brooklyn was special. 1;30~ MosDef and Brooklyn Philharmonic, 4;30~ Pharoahe Monch and DJ Boogie Blind and hosted by Raye 6 whole day!I couldnt make it to come see MosDef tho, I wanted to see Talib Kweli show that supposed to be the main and the last for this event.
Pharoahe came out to the stage but the sound was so bad and one of his back singer became a star more than Pharoahe, so I was in back all the time. But still his performance was killing! After the show He was trying to avoid all the crowds but found me in back stage then gave me big hug and kiss on cheek with his sweaty face!!! That is very special and very nice him to do!!! I like him more now and want to support him now! See this is RESPECT and I feel very special! I love that feeling! DJ Boogie Blind also it was really nice seeing them after meeting in Boston!!! Always always nice!!!
Talib canceled the last minute for production issue. I think its about money... (they said contract issue) He was in his lab all day actually and very Sad that I couldnt see him but all good. I could see so many of my friends and exchanged love on this day like Mecca, Shino, Dashaun, Big Jeff, Supreme and his girl Keri, Producer-Studdah, photographer-Raheem, Mikel Banks and his friends, Raye 6, Danny Castro, and more and more! Wow that was very hot shine day and I was really sweaty... such a beautiful day in BedStuy Brooklyn! 

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Marley Marl~Greg Nice~Lonnie Plaxico~Ernestine Anderson~Cassandra Wilson....

<2011-09-28 >

Marley Marl & Mike Mancini's Birthday Celebration

Amazing DJ and Producer Marley Marl and Mike Mancini had their Birthday party @ Cielo in Meat Packing area Manhattan on September 28th.

Marley Marl--->http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marley_Marl

Marley Marl was the house producer of the Juice Crew, known for The Bridge Wars, a feud withBoogie Down Productions seen as one of the earliest and influential hip hop beefs. The Juice Crew included Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Roxanne Shanté, Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, MC Shan(his cousin) and Masta Ace, and produced many songs for outside artists including King Tee, LL Cool J, and Lords of the Underground.

It was all free party from 8-11pm before regular house party started with House DJ Kevin Hedge.

Actually that was quite house-warming birthday party, Greg Nice from Nice&Smooth came out to shout and actually he did perform a few of his hits!He was sweat and did a great show!That was the climax moment!

Nice & Smooth ----> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nice_%26_Smooth
Nice & Smooth was an East Coast hip hop duo from New York that consists of Greg Nice(Greg Mays) and Smooth B (Daryl Barnes). The duo released four albums from the late 1980s to the mid 1990s. Their first collaborate appearance was on the song, "Pimpin Ain't Easy" by Big Daddy Kane on his album, It's a Big Daddy Thing in 1989.

People jumping around, shout and screamed! We had a Birthday cake which is shaped like records and velvet cake inside...It was very sweet but that represents how Marley Marl is! He is a sweet person and heart warm artist.

The crew members, Jeff, me, Naoto, DJ Peace and Chica went to the next spot after Cielo that is Marley's spot <Pop Burger>! We had some drinks and burgers, Lam chop... and billiard till 2am...!

All and all it was a beautiful night and actually couldn't believe I was there till last. 

(some people went to Le Poisson Rouge to see my dear friend, DJ Rich Medina but I was too tired as you can see from the pictures...)

<09-30-2011>Music of Bud Powell featuring Ethan Iverson, Tim Hagans, Greg Osby, Joey Baron, Lonnie Plaxico @Birdland Manhattan.

I actually wanted to go to see Cassandra Wilson at Rose Room @Lincoln Center but when I noticed her show was too late and all tickets were sold out... So me and Lafayette went to see our Dear Friend, Lonnie Plaxico at Birdland to listen to some Bud Powell music!
I had not been there for a while but always nice bartender, remembers me and made fruit juice cocktail.
Ohhh I love Lonnie Plaxico bass always always always!
This night again his SOLO made my night very fine!!!
He is actually one my musicians whom I really wanted to see the performance for a long time...I dreamed of it over 15years and now I am a friend with him! I cant believe it!!! 
RESPECT< RESPECT< RESPECT anytime I see him!
He has done a lot of amazing works with legends such as Cassandra Wilson, Art Blakey, Ravi Coltrane, and Dizzy Gillespie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Of course he has done more and more great works with great musicians and for his own project too!
Lonnie Plaxico -----> http://www.lonnieplaxico.com/bio.html
By the night when we were leaving, it suddenly started rain... so we got Birdland umbrella and went home early...
Oh Winter is coming to NY already!!!!!!! Cold cold cold....

Actually when I met Lonnie the first time was at Dizzy's and he was playing with grammy winner singer, Ernestine Anderson&Houston Person, with Lafayette Harris, and Willie Jones Ⅲ

On that day, I remember LEGEND JAZZ SINGER TONY BENET came to see their show!!! WOWwwwww!!!
All my favorite musicians were there actually and I was sooooooooooo happy!!! My very great friends and fantastic drummer Willie Jones and Pianist Lafayette Harris Jr were there too! and that romantic venue, Dizzy's at Lincoln Center Jazz. 
Earnestine Anderson ---> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernestine_Anderson

Then after I saw him with my favorite favorite singer CASSANDRA WILSON @ Blue Note NYC. 

Then Grammy Winner R&B singer John Legend came out as a special guest and sang together with Ravi Coltrane!!!!
Cassandra Wilson -----> http://www.cassandrawilson.com/
She won two grammies, Edison music award, and first Jazz work to receive the Pulitzer prize with Wynton Marsalis!
I don't know how many times I was saved by her songs in my life... I lover her voice, her performance and songs very much. Her songs are my Sunday songs most of time to relax and to get back to myself....
Thank you so much for great works for Y'all.....!!! MUCH RESPECT!!!

(Ernestine Anderson's piano, Lafayette Harris was on Japanese TV CM for Hitachi!)

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BIG DADDY KANE~The Meters~Questlove~LAW~James Ajax Baynard~etc

Girls, Calm down, calm down....
YES, I finally got a pic with one of my favorite MC BIG DADDY KANE!!!
It was his 43rd Birthday party in Dumbo on Sep 23rd (altho his actual Bday is on Sep 10th), only invited people came,we heard it was from 10:30pm. 
We were there way EARLY, only 15-20 escort girls who were dressed sexy mini skirt with high heels and a few DJs, few guests include Kane's brothers were there. Then actually superstar Big Daddy Kane and his people came around 1AM...Somehow DJs played new school for this OLD SCHOOL SUPER STAR's Birthday party... hey, we dont dance with new schools! Some drunk guys and sexy young girls danced, finally when I heard old school started, the actually old school lover already left for bed time...>< ohhhhh Ohhh. OHHHH!

Anyways, we enjoyed the show once started with Dana Dane whose career began as part of the Kangol Crew with fellow MC Slick Rick, to whom he sounded markedly similar, although Slick Rick's English lilt was actually genuine , it was full of love to this beautiful legend. He was still handsome. So its all good.
Please check out this legend, BIG DADDY KANE who started his career in 1986 as a member of the rap group the Juice Crew with  Biz Markie,  Marley Marl, history ---> www.officialbigdaddykane.com/

The left picture that I am posing is taken by hiphop photographer MIZ at the party... I like this picture so as many people ;-)
Thank you Big Jeff for inviting me always!!! Love hanging out with you!!!!!!


One of theFunk shows that I went in this month was... THE METERS on September 15th 2011! it was @Brooklyn Bowl on Questlove's DJ night with Yameen Allworld from Philly.
When I got there, just Questlove sat in with THE METERS and played the drum hard with this funk legend!
The Funky Meters is an American funk band based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Meters performed and recorded their own music from the late 1960s until 1977. You must heard their famous soungs such as <<Cissy Strut>> ! Some are really nice songs still some are used for hiphop and R&B samplings.---> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Meters
After the show till 2AM, Questlove and Yameen Allworld jammed <<SOUL TRAIN NIGHT>> with Funk and 80s music! That was actually great night with good food and great company <3


Then I also went to see one of the P-Funk all satrs member L*A*W concert @ Bitter End.It started late night and honestly I was tired already but nice seeing LAW and his friend, amazing trumpetter, James Ajax Baynard.
He is polished his skill while making many recordings in the 70's and 80's with the Delite Records recording group "The CROWN HEIGHTS AFFAIR". He has also made mane secular records with such groups and artists as DENROY MORGAN *<<I'll do anything for you>>, JOCELYN BROWN *<<SOMEBODAY ELSE'S GUY>>, L.L. COOL J *<<MAMMA SAID KNOCK OUT>>and many others!
Once this James showed up, the show went one level up! His appearance was something...looks like an old school pimp tho... lol He danced well with LAW and that was all cool show!They played from original to P-Funk, Prince and more!!!I introduced Lafayette to those Funk legends at Bitter end and hopefully something great music come out from this connection also!!!
L*A*W will perform with P-FUNK and George Clinton on Oct 8th in Mohawk Funk Festival!!! Lets go~~~!!!!!!!!