Jamsmith
I am Michael Jamsmith: Guitarist and Fusionist. The world is so full of killer guitarists that sometimes I wish I took up clarinet like Benny Goodman! However, after 35 years of hard work, I think I finally am getting the hang of it. Some people have said I am pretty good. That is for you to decide
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
Artists I have shared a bill with include: Marshall Tucker Band, The Outlaws, Pat Travers, Leon Russell, Foghat, Molly Hatchet, Rick Derringer, Circle Of Soul, Flock of Seagulls, Starship, and David Allen Cole, and over one hundred of Florida artists in Gainesville, Daytona Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Tallahassee, and Ocala. Recently performed in Atlanta at the Brandyhouse.
Recording projects with Condition Red, Bones Thugs and Harmony, Dave LaRue of the Steve Morse Band, the legendary Bo Diddley, The Royal Guardsmen, Sphere Lazza, Killing Addiction, Baddax, NAACP Radio Out Reach, and many central Florida groups. My own work appears on Electric Flame's "Electric Flame" (1991), Blues Connection's "Angel Of Mercy"(1998), and Sphere Lazza's "Jesus Played Guitar"(1995), and a few rap and gospel recordings.
addition, my work as a musician or engineer has appeared on Sci-Fi Channel's "First Wave", MP3.com, PlayJ.com, CDNow.com, jamsmith.com, AIM's Rock Series and other compilations, Bone Thugs and Harmony 1997 Tour, Billboard's R&B chart (Condition Red "Don't Get Caught Slipping"), various Central Florida radio and television stations.
Distinctions: Featured Review in Florida's Jam Magazine for debut album (1991). Ocala Star Banner's Readers Choice Awards (1993): Best Band, NAACP Service Award for radio show production (1995).
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
I have performed live in a variety of genres for over 20 years
Your musical influences
Jimi Hendrix - Aren't we all! Greatest Electic Guitarist ever.
Jeff Beck - Greates living axe-master. Untouchable!
Steve Vai - Unbelievable
Joe Pass - One man, one guitar.
Eddie Van Halen - Revolutionized the instrument
George Benson - Smooth!
Dave Brubeck (Piano) - The original "fusionist"; combined classical and Jazz
Charlie Parker (Tenor Sax) - the Bebop master.
Phil Keaggy (no, I am not a Christian - Beatiful player
Steve Ray Vaughn - So much soul.
Yngwie Malmsteen - Fire and Passion
Rocky Athas - Texas legend.
Brian May - King of Tone
Tom Shultz - Greatest guitar sound ever
Carlos Santana - My latin influence
Benny Goodman (Clarinet) - King of Swing, first integrated band
Charlie Christian - First on electric guitar
Lionel Hampton (Vibraphone) - The vibe from those vibes!
Ty Tabor - Kings X monster.
Spazz (Bass) - Baddest bass player you never knew (hear him on my music page)
Flea (Bass) - Kindred soul to my best friend Spazz
Stanley Clark (Bass) - Monster of the bass
Keb Mo - What one man can do with an acoustic guitar and a slide
John McLauglin - Bitches Brew by Miles Davis was my first real record.
Jan Hammer (Moog) - Takes almost any lead guitar play to task on his Mini-Moog
Jimmy Page - Greatest Composer of Rock
Alex Lifeson - One of my strongest influences.
Tony Lee - Baddest 13 year old guitarist I ever heard! (He's 43 now)
What equipment do you use?
Stratocasters, CryBaby Wah, San-Amp, Alesis Quadraverb, Yamaha TG-100 Tone Generator
Anything else?
Heavy Metal Bebop - Jazz for the new Century
