2xLP copies of 60 Years are available for preorder now! Copies will be distributed worldwide as well.
Includes unlimited streaming of 60 Years
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
ships out within 10 days
Purchasable with gift card
$60USDor more
about
During the 1990s, the PAPA was in a state of regrouping. Jesse Sharps was back from Germany and helping Horace to put his foot in it and fire up the music again! The beginning of the 1990s was marked by civil unrest and violent events that helped to fuel the fire of protest and anger as Latasha Harlins [Murder of Latasha Harlins] and Rodney King [LAPD beating of Rodney King] were in the news and sparked the 1992 L.A. revolt! The city was in an uproar! Around that time also (1992), I received an announcement for a band director gig and moved my family to Oxnard and continued my music education career; I spent 8 years as music director at Jefferson High from 1984-1992. I would roll in and out of town for rehearsals as the music was rising to a level of Ark chops blowing hard and healing souls in our community; again! Much respect to Jai Jae [PAPA conguero Jai Jae Johnson] for creating and maintaining Kabasa; the arts, culture and music oasis in the community! The Ark played one of my most fond gigs at Kabasa during that time and we let our community know that we were still there for them! We are “The Community Band”, you dig?!
These years were also so high and healthy as we prepared for one of the grandest performances of the Ark! Not just a gig in nor outside of L.A., but one out of the country! The Moers Jazz Festival in Germany 1995! Man, what a whirlwind trip! We had hopes to play this gig and get on the touring circuit and continue PLAYING! Well, we left LAX on a Thursday evening, got to Germany on Friday, gig on Saturday and back on a flight to L.A. early Sunday morning. Wow! And imagine this. Going and coming, we had a layover in....wait for it.....Amsterdam! The Bull Dog Café is a very popular marijuana bar and smoking has been legal for decades there! Cats had just enough time to hop in a Mercedes taxi, whip there and back in time to not miss our connecting flight.
What a great band on that gig because we had the traditional Ark Cats - Nate Morgan, Fritz Wise, Sonship Theus, Roberto Miranda, Michael Session, Dwight Trible, Thurman Green, Steve Smith, William Roper, Jesse Sharps, David Bryant and myself, but we added Charles Owens and then Arthur Blythe joined us there too! Man, what a band! I remember hanging out all night with Buckwheat [Michael Session] checking David Murray’s band slammin’ hard man! We got paid cool, and on time, and then headed back home, just like that! Horace and I smoked outside the Amsterdam airport and he asked me, “Fundi, did you ever think you’d be standing outside an airport getting high and nobody's gonna mess with you man?” He was the consummate teacher! I still love and miss him today!
The Ark continued playing festivals and gigs like LACMA [Los Angeles County Museum of Art], etc., throughout the decade and was enjoying being the band that played with freedom and dignity all the way through 1999! That’s when the Spirit came and took Horace, Papa, to the next realm and we Brothas had to do our best to maintain the music! As a result, we’re celebrating our 60th Anniversary this year and talking to you now! We’re still here and Strong! Keepin’ the Music Alive! - Fundi Legohn
Taken from a concert at Moers Festival in Germany on June 3rd, 1995
credits
from 60 Years,
released June 16, 2023
Written by Horace Tapscott
Jesse Sharps - Soprano Sax
Arthur Blythe - Alto Sax
Michael Session - Tenor Sax
Charles Owens - Tenor Sax
Fundi Legohn - French Horn
William Roper - Tuba
Steve Smith - Trumpet
Thurman Green - Trombone
Nate Morgan - Piano
Horace Tapscott - Piano, Conductor
Roberto Miranda - Bass
David Bryant - Bass
Fritz Wise - Drums
Sonship Theus - Drums
supported by 42 fans who also own “The Ballad of Deadwood Dick”
Energy time maddafakkas! This is hard hitting free jazz for the revolution. Listening to this you could believe it might actually happen!
Anyone who thinks Jazz is for old folks should give this a spin. It couldn’t be more contemporary to my ears. Crinklechips
An absolutely killer spiritual jazz record from South African drummer and composer Tumi Mogorosi that moves hearts & lifts souls. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 16, 2022
supported by 41 fans who also own “The Ballad of Deadwood Dick”
Absolutely amazing music from Tapscott and Session. It's wonderful to hear them both in such a paired down setting. Their chemistry is deep. Sean Riddle
