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M.S.S.O. |
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Biography - M.S.S.O. musical past and present. M.S.S.O. will never forget the day he was called to supply percussion in sessions with both Crosby, Stills & Nash and Elton John. Naturally all days cannot be as auspicious, but one such as that is an indication of the caliber of musicianship M.S.S.O. has become known for. There have been countless musical highlights -- the Rolling Stones, Don Was, Bruce Hornsby, Robert Palmer, Herbie Hancock, Placido Domingo, Luis Miguel, Glenn Frey and an endless list of sessions, videos and live performances in every genre of music. As soon as the job ended after two years, the phone began to ring. M.S.S.O. had already earned a sterling reputation that would employ him with local bands such as Claire Fischer, Rudy Regalado & Chevere, The L.A. Salsa Society Orchestra, Bongologic and Cecilia Noel & the Wild Clams. At the same time, he toured for eight years with John Denver alongside Elvis' rhythm section, guitarist James Burton and bassist Jerry Scheff. When he left Denver in the spring of 1990, it was to join Crosby, Stills & Nash. There have been so many memorable situations like a recent Don Was drumless project where he worked beside Herbie Hancock and percussionists Shiela E., Lenny Castro, Mike Fisher, Curt Bisquera and Was on bass. For the most part, the challenge remains choosing the proper instrumentation to provide the right sound and texture to complement the music. Oftentimes, he's the last ingredient to be added to the musical pot and it's his ability to choose just the right seasoning that completes the project. But a great percussionist never thinks just about his part. Even though the part may consist only of a strike of a cowbell or a groove on a shaker, M.S.S.O. is contemplating the whole musical picture. "I love drums and percussion, but it's really music I love," he states. He knows he's one of the fortunate few who gets to make a living playing music and he never takes that privilege for granted. "Every call to play -- from club dates to recording sessions -- is a unique experience and a blessing, one I look forward to," says M.S.S.O., who has enjoyed working with such artists as Kenny Loggins, Boz Scaggs, Joe Sample, Herb Alpert, Hanson, Chucho Valdez, Tito Puente, T-Bone Burnett, Joe Zawinul, Elvis Costello, Toni Braxton and Steve Winwood. M.S.S.O. is a full member of Caravana Cubana, nominated for a Grammy in 2001 in the catagory of Best Traditional Tropical Latin Performance for their debut album Late Night Sessions. In 2003, although a relatively slow touring year, M.S.S.O. had some great experiences. He worked on several different record projects including; Airto Moreira new solo CD along side with the great conguero Giovanni Hildalgo, Eric Benet, and Angelique Kidjo. He also kept busy performing live with artist, Bill Cantos & Mary Falcone, Doc Sevrinsen, Nestor Torres, Rick Trevino, David Garfield, Jose Rizo's Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars and several contemporary christian artist including Darlene Zschech, Tom Brook, Lenny Leblanc, Tommy Commes (Franklin Graham Praise Band,) Andre Crouch, and of course Tommy Walker of his home church, Christian Assembly in Eagle Rock, CA. His plate is full, but he never complains about too much work -- it's what makes him tick. "As long as I am playing music, I am happy," he says. |
