Mic Gillette / Jon Smith Project
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Mic Gillette / Jon Smith Project

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"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. - Photos Copyright © 2004, Rocky Barbanica, ROC Video Productions. Used with permission.


"Buzz about Jon..."



“When it comes to heart-pounding, foot-stomping, shake-the-rafters Gulf Coast soul, nobody does it like Jon Smith.”

- PLAYBOY MAGAZINE


"The Badest Sax around"

“I have followed him since he left Edgar Winter’s White Trash…I couldn’t leave Antone’s until I knew he’d played his last note of the night.”

Will Lee, Late Night with David Letterman band


“The Rock & Roll road is littered with acts Smith had a hand in forming…[he’s] been a helluva sideman in some big-ass bands.”

DALLAS OBSERVER
“You’d best listen to his advice if you’re in the studio, and you’re recording a sax solo and Jon Smith is at the microphone.”

VALLEY MUSIC NEWS, CALIFORNIA
“Never mind the superlatives, [Jon Smith plays] some of the highest caliber blues to be found…One longtime blues veteran compared his playing to Cannonball Adderley, saying ‘Smith is so good, he’s almost out of control’.”

AUSTIN CHRONICLE
“I’m not saying they’re the best that ever existed, but I will say [the Boogie Kings and Jon Smith] were the best I ever heard.”

CLIFFORD ANTONE
ANTONE’S BLUES CLUB
Austin, TX

“Jon’s sound is instantaneously recognized, something only a handful of players have, with a tone that’s as big as a house, and a big vibrato that’s characteristic of a gospel singers…If I were putting together a horn section, Jon would be my absolute first choice.”

EDGAR WINTER
WINDPLAYER MAGAZINE

- AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN


"For Immediate Release, August 2006"

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 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


Discography

JON SMITH

Edgar Winter's White Trash - "White Trash" (LP, Horn Arrangements: Jon Smith/Edgar Winter), 1970 [Epic Records]

Edgar Winter's White Trash - "Road Work" (LP, Horn Arrangements: Jon Smith/Edgar Winter), 1972 [Epic Records]

Edgar Winter's White Trash - "Recycled" (LP, Horn Arrangements: Jon Smith/Edgar Winter), 1976 [Blue Sky Records]

Edgar Winter & Friends - "The Real Deal" (CD, Featuring the Legendary White Trash Horns), 1996 [Intersound]

Edgar Winter - "Winter Blues" (CD, Featuring the Legendary White Trash Horns), 1999 [Pyramid]

Edgar Winter - "The Best of Edgar Winter" (CD, Horn Arrangements: Jon Smith/Edgar Winter), 2002 [Sony]

Toto - "IV" (LP), 1982 [Sony/Columbia]

Peter Maffay - "Heute vor Dreissig Jahren" (CD, Horn Arrangements: Bertram Engel/Jon Smith/Steve Howard), 2001 [BMG/Ariola]

Peter Maffay - "X" (TOUR ONLY), 2000 [BMG/Ariola]

Peter Maffay - "Wenn eine Idee Lebendig Wird" / "Begegnungen Live" (CD, Horn Arrangements: Bertram Engel/Jon Smith/Steve Howard), 1999 [BMG/Ariola]

Peter Maffay & Friends - "Something Will Happen" (CD), 1998 [BMG/Ariola]

Peter Maffay - "Begegnungen" (Horn Arrangements: Bertram Engel/Jon Smith/Steve Howard, CD), 1998 [BMG/Ariola]

Carl Carlton & The Song Dogs - "Revolution Avenue" (Horn Arrangements: Bertram Engel/Jon Smith/Steve Howard, CD), 2001 [EMI]

Doobie Brothers - "Toulouse Street" (LP), 1972 [Warner Bros. Records]

Doobie Brothers - "Long Train Runnin' - 1970 - 2000" (CD), 1999 [WEA/Rhino]

Randy Newman - "Trouble in Paradise" (LP), 1983 [Warner Bros. Records]

Randy Newman - "Guilty: 30 Years of Randy Newman" (CD), 1998 [Rhino]

Dr. John - "Remedies" (LP), 1969 [Columbia Records]

Rascals - "Peaceful World" (LP), 1970 [Columbia Records]

Rascals - "Island of Real" (LP), 1971 [Columbia Records]

Sarah Vaughan - "Sings the Beatles" (LP), 1982 [Columbia Records]

Jerry LaCroix - "LaCroix" (LP, Horn Arrangements: Jon Smith/Jerry LaCroix), 1972 [Epic Records]

Redbone - "Wovoka" (LP, Horn Arrangements: Jon Smith/Charlie Brent), 1972 [Columbia Records]

Rick Derringer - "Rock & Roll Hoochie Coo: The Best of Rick Derringer" (CD), 1996 [Epic Associated/Legacy]

Johnny Winter - "Saints and Sinners" (LP), 1972 [Columbia Records]

Sea Level - "Long Walk on a Short Pier" (LP, Horn Arrangements: Jon Smith/Charlie Brent), 1979 [Capricorn Records]
Sea Level - "Best of Sea Level" (LP, Horn Arrangements: Jon Smith/Charlie Brent), 1977 [Capricorn Records]

Albert Collins - "Collins Mix - The Best of" (CD, Horn Arrangements: Jon Smith/Steve Howard - "The Legendary White Trash Horns"), 1993 [Pointblank Records]

Albert Collins & The Icebreakers - "Live '92 - '93" (CD, Horn Arrangements: Jon Smith/Steve Howard - "The Legendary White Trash Horns"), 1993 [Pointblank Records]

Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown - "The Man" (CD), 1994 [PolyGram/Verve]

Bobby Charles - "Last Train To Memphis" (CD), 2004 [Proper Pairs]

Larry Garner - "You Need to Live a Little" (CD, Horn Arrangements: Jon Smith/Steve Howard - "The Legendary White Trash Horns"), 1994 [PolyGram/Verve]

Larry Garner - "Baton Rouge" (CD, Horn Arrangements: Jon Smith/Steve Howard - "The Legendary White Trash Horns"), 1995 [PolyGram/Verve]

Sonny Landreth - "South of I-10" (CD), 1995 [Zoo/Praxis]

Sonny Landreth - "Levee Town" (CD, Horn Arrangements: Mike Post/Jon Smith/Steve Howard/Sonny Landreth - ), 2000 [Sugar Hill]

Junior Wells - "Everybody's Gettin' Some" (CD, Horn Arrangements: Jon Smith/Steve Howard - "The Legendary White Trash Horns"), 1995 [Telarc Records]

Billy Branch - "The Blues Keep Following Me Around" (CD, Horn Arrangements: Jon Smith/Steve Howard - "The Legendary White Trash Horns"), 1995 [PGD/PolyGram Pop]

C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band - "The Big Squeeze" (CD, Horn Arrangements: Jon Smith/Steve Howard - "The Legendary White Trash Horns"), 1996 [Alligator Records]

Coco Montoya - "Suspicion" (CD, Horn Arrangements: Jon Smith/Steve Howard - "The Legendary White Trash Horns"), 2000 [Alligator Records]

The Mambo Brothers Blues Band - "Night Owl" (CD, Horn Arrangements: Charlie Brent/Jon Smith), 1994 [Streetwise Enterprises Inc.]

The Mambo Brothers Blues Band - "We Got It Goin' On" (CD, Horn Arrangements: Charlie Brent/Jon Smith), 1997 [Streetwise Enterprises Inc.]

The Forever Fabulous Chickenhawks - self-titled (CD, Horn Arrangements: Charlie Brent/Jon Smith; Featuring Louisiana/Texas Legends Big Luther Kent, Al "TNT" Braggs, Jon Smith & the Legendary White Trash Horns), 1997

The Forever Fabulous Chickenhawks - "Live" (CD, Horn Arrangements: Charlie Brent/Jon Smith), 1996

Luther Kent - "Down in New Orleans" (CD, Horn Arrangements: Jon Smith),

Photos

Bio

The Mic Gillette Jon Smith Project may only be described as a new and innovative reintroduction of musical expression by two of the most prolific horn player/arrangers in music history. Combined, these two legendary statesmen were responsible for a greater part of the horn arrangements for Tower of Power and Edgar Winter’s White Trash. Mic and Jon have appeared, performed, and recorded with Tower of Power, The Doobie Brothers, Santana, The Rolling Stones, Toto, Edgar Winter’s White Trash, Albert Collins, and Boz Scaggs, as well as many other top artists. They are also credited with performing on and recording over 500 tracks with some of the most celebrated artists in the music industry. This new project targets broad audiences by combining traditional and contemporary funk and jazz, as well as incorporating Gillette’s and Smith’s sophisticated and compelling original arrangements, songwriting, and performance. Their style, performance, and musical content are synonymous with artists being played on radio today. Their songs contain infectious melodies delivered over tight grooves and inspired arrangements that always get the audience moving.

Past Performances include: October 7-8, 2006 with the Doobie Brothers (with Michael McDonald), Willie Nelson, Little Feat, Pablo Cruise, Paul Rodgers (Bad Company/Queen); September 3, 2006 performed with the Temptations; July 13, 2006 appearing with Don Rickles.

MIC GILLETTE

Although Mic Gillette is best known for 30+ years of stellar horns work with Cold Blood, Tower of Power, and the Sons of Champlin, not as many people realize that he has appeared on several hundred albums and CDs (!) for some of the biggest names in the music business--Santana, The Rolling Stones, Quincy Jones, Rod Stewart, Elton John, Jefferson Starship, Huey Lewis and the News, and hundreds more. Mic also enjoyed brief stints with Blood, Sweat & Tears and The Fundamentals, an R&B/Motown band. The majority of these appearances were during nearly two decades as leader of the world-renowned Tower of Power Horn Section.

So if you didn't know, now you do: Mic Gillette has been and continues to be one of the most prolific and sought-after horn players in the history of music! When it comes to searing funk, soaring brass solos, and deliciously soulful ballads, it doesn't get any better!

JON SMITH

For over 40 years, the unique and powerful sound of Jon Smith’s saxophone has been sought out by some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Edgar Winter’s White Trash band, the Grammy Award-winning group Toto, Albert Collins and European superstar Peter Maffay, just to name a few. A self-taught musician whose first job came at the age of 13, Jon plays as if he was born with the saxophone in his mouth. Some who have heard him play compare his rich sound and solo ideas to that of King Curtis and David “Fathead” Newman.
Born in southern Louisiana, Jon, along with childhood friends Edgar Winter and Jerry LaCroix, formed the now legendary Edgar Winter’s White Trash band in the latter part of 1969. Jon’s dominant tenor sax sound and solid horn arrangements played a key role in the overall sound and success of the group.

Goings on:

Winter 2006: Jon is working on his first solo CD in Northern California, produced with his old friend, arranger and keyboardist Larry Sieberth. Special guest Mic Gillette, Legendary Tower of Power trumpet player, will be recording with Jon as well. Special guest superdrummer Bertram Engel will appear, too.

Fall 2005: Jon is on tour with European superstar Peter Maffay on the Hallen Tour. Jon also plays at the 15th anniversary of the reunification of Germany. Check out Jon with former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Photo #1. Photo #2.

Summer 2005: Jon has relocated back in New Orleans. He's teamed up with old friend and New Orleans legend Luther Kent, performing regularly at the 544 Club (corner of Toulouse and Bourbon).

Fall 2004:
Jon is working on a recording project in California, Texas and Louisiana. Details to follow...

Summer 2004:
Jon appears on the cover of the August issue of Southwest Blues Magazine. Check out the cover, here.

Winter 2003-2004:
Jon is in Woodstock, New York working on a new project with Levon Helm

Spring, 2002:
Back in Europe to record with Peter Maffay, and for the Open Air Tour May 25 - June 30

November, 2001:
Jon will be in Germany again working with German Superstar Peter Maffay

For more on Jon, read some of the press he's received in recent years...
Buzz about Jon...
“(Jon Smith is) one of the baddest tenor saxophone players ever to come out of Texas”

PLAYBOY MAGAZINE
“When it comes to heart-pounding, foot-stomping, shake-the-rafters Gulf Coast soul, nobody does it like Jon Smith.”

AUSTIN CHRONICLE
“I have followed him since he left Edgar Winter’s White Trash…I couldn’t leave Antone’s until I knew he’d played his last note of the night.”

Will Lee, Late