LeonDalePhotographer
When looks matter and images count.music
Reti!
I was Blessed to have Atlanta Hip Hop artist RETI at LDP Studios a while ago and managed to get a couples questions out to him.
1. Where are you from?
I’m from Vacherie, La its about an hour from New Orleans. Im from La. but I was raised in California, Texas, Tennessee. I love La. but I like the fact that I got to live in different regions because it gave a unique mind state.
Atlanta Hip Hop artist RETI from Stargazer
2. At what age did you become serious about hip hop and why?
I became serious about hip-hop when I was 19. It was passion of mines to express my thoughts to people thru the music. Why? Because I decided I was ready to take on this industry. I built up my drive and talent for the entertainment industry.
3. Who were your early influences and who do you think is hot in the game right now?
Some of my early influences were N.W.A, Fresh Prince, Run DMC and plenty others. I think im hot right now (lol) other than that im digging Weezy, Nas, Jay, and Kanye right now.
Atlanta Hip Hop artist RETI for Stargazer
4. Where can fans learn more about reti?
I’m on facebook under retimusik@gmail.com and twitter under _RETI
5. Are you currently working on any albums?
Yeah I’m working on a mix tape right now called “It Aint Hard to Tell” and my anticipated album called “Crack Muzik”. I’m also working Tai ‘Upgrade’ Rotan on a project as well.
Atlanta Hip Hop artist RETI for Stargazer
6. What was your favorite cartoon growing up?
I love cartoons but my favorite one is probably Johnny Quest!
7. Do you have advice for those getting into rhyme?
Never stop! Keep doing it until you see the results you want!!!!
Sasha
“Sasha Lisnichuk has spent the past fifteen years
creating a sound that
is truly distinct. His formative years, spent in Kiev,
Ukraine, were given to establishing a firm technical
proficiency on the classical guitar in a formal musical
environment, as well as in the folk traditions of
Eastern European, Middle Eastern and Gypsy music. He
continued to cultivate his musical ear after moving to
the United States by changing to the seven-string
guitar and studying newer musical traditions from
Brazilian Choro to American Jazz. The disparities
between all of these very discrete folk music
traditions blend seamlessly into his delicate musical
acuity and inspiring virtuosity.
In the second phase of the evolution of his music, Sasha
developed the commonalities of his Slavic musical
sensibility and the dynamic and range of percussion. A
richness and breadth was given to every song from the
taste of musicians steeped in the traditions of
percussion from around the world. On a foundation of
an extensive catalog of folk rhythms and sounds,
largely from Latin America, Sasha has built upon these
musical traditions with exceeding respect, augmenting
their contexts while also enhancing his own musical
voice.”
Taken from Album notes on CD Baby.
The Dark and Lovely Leila Adu
We recently had a chance to shoot the beautiful and enigmatic Leila Adu.
Her music has been described as sounding like ”Treacle poured over hot glass” !
I could describe her music as a mix of one artist and another but I won’t because she ‘owns’ the sound she makes.
She sings and plays keys with dissonace and intensity, her songs have unmistakable narratives, the kind you’d hear in a movie when they’ve convinced you the hero just might die…
Was I going to be able to capture her operatic, film noir intensity?
For this, I needed an added touch, just a little extra something to push what could be a normal Photograph into the ‘Amazing arena’.
Enter Mary Egbula and her impeccable sense of style!
So Leon Dale Photographer, Mary Egbula Fashionista and an over enthusiastic pair of scissors met up to try and capture an iconic image of songstress Leila Adu.
Leila Adu
Leila Adu in Mary Egbulas clothing concoction!
The Facets of Jazz Through Gary Motley
The Facets of Jazz Through Gary Motley
 |
.
| Jazz is huge, a rich, organic ecosystem. “I think most of the labels are more of a marketing thing than anything - what do we call it so we can sell it?” |
Jazz is humanity. “It’s an oral tradition. It’s handed down. You can study it but the best way to do that is to get out there with the players. Chick Corea called it “The University of the Streets” |
Jazz is a science. “Sometimes you really do think about [ the Golden Mean as you compose.] Music is science, in the artistic sense, if we go back to the early origins of music, music was developed by scientists.” |
 |
|
That’s the thing, you have to be in the shed, practicing and figuring out, and it’s a growth process and it’s not going to happen overnight. |
—–> |
The more you learn, you get to the point where you’re mature enough to deal with certain things and it’s going to come out in your music.” |
Jazz is simple and complex.
“I realize that the longer I’ve played and the older I get now, I’m finding that I play simpler things because that thing I was looking for that I was thought was so elusive and was a long way away was right there in my face all along and I wasn’t able to see it. |
. So you start to . . express complex ideas . . in a series of simple ideas. . |
The end result is sophisticated - the thing that makes it sophisticated is how we organize it. “ |
Jazz is a language.
“If someone walks up to you and you don’t literally speak the same language if they smile there will be something implied there just as if they raise a fist there’s going to be something in the physical body language; |
. Either they’re going . . to be receptive or not receptive; . |
There’s something in the music that makes us react a certain way and become sympathetic to it, sympathetic in that we become in sync with it.” |
Jazz is Oscar Peterson…..
“I was in Toronto when he died. Everybody knew he had been ill for a long time, but a loss is a loss nonetheless. Pretty much immediately after that I started looking at doing a tribute album. |
The project is not the traditional tribute that you would think of when you’re doing a tribute to someone. Most people would try to play like the person they’re honoring. |
My thing was not to play like him but to try to incorporate some of his concepts and his approach to music with the idea of getting people to think about where he left off and where we go from here.” |
Link: Renaissance – http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/motley2
Jazz is Technology.
“I pushed the envelope in a lot of different ways. I composed pieces that were in the style and in the tradition, but it was done electronically. The bass was me playing the bass, |
The idea with that was to say that technology has gotten to a point where we can recreate these sounds that are fairly realistic. |
The idea is not to replace musicians but to offer an alternative. What is the boundary? When does technology get in the way of creativity and art ? Here’s traditional jazz presented in a non-traditional way. |
The bottom line in jazz is, can the cat play?
All I’m doing is
using technology as a
means to an end.”
Article by: Sam Chupp
listen to the live interview of Gary Motley by Sam Chupp.
UpComing Gary Motley Events
Emory University Jazz Festival 2010. Bassist John Clayton and drummer Herlin Riley will join Gary Motley in concert during the annual Emory University Jazz Fest on Friday, February 12th at 8:00 PM. More
Carmen Bradford Quartet in San Diego. Be sure to catch vocalist Carmen Bradford and her ensemble featuring Gary Motley in concert on Wednesday, March 3rd at 7:00 PM.More
Ocsar Peterson Tribute CD Released. Now available, Renaissance: a Tribute to Oscar Peterson features original compositions by pianist/composer Gary Motley.
Motley is joined by saxophonist, clarinetist victor Goines. Get your copies and MP3 downloads at CD Baby, iTunes, Rhapsody, DigStation and Lala.
Majestic Piano CD Available. MCG Records has released its latest solo piano project entitled Majestic Piano.
The recording features the unique treatment of sacred hymns by pianist Gary Motley
Atlanta Recording Artist Mean
Rap Artist Mean
Atlanta Rap Star ‘Mean’ !
Rap Star Mean
Viva Flamenca!
I am a fan of Flamenco. Flamenco is the blues of the Spanish Oppressed. Flamenco came from somewhere via some people, but that is a heated debate that has no bearing on me and my world. I was commissioned to shoot a Flamenco recital, and this was one of the photos I took. I love their dresses and hair adornments. I love the feminine aspects and the riotous foot stomping. The passion! Oh! The Passion! The love of life, somehow enhanced by pain and turmoil! it’s the same reason I love the blues! How the scarred soul sings tears and manages to make us sing, dance and love again!!
I am, I am, such a fan. I plan to add more flamenco photos.
Stay tuned.
Check out the link to Jaleole.com at the side there.
The worth of Pepito
Sometimes I buy an item and immediately go, ‘wow, what a dumb move.’ and frown as if someone else must have done this to me and I must find them, and remove their eyes.
This little guitar here was a mere $99. Not much of an investment. But this was one purchase that I never regretted. Alas, I took it to the old Lenny’s ( a slimy, grimy dive down here in d’Atl) where it was promptly and irreversibly destroyed.
But before that, this little guitar that I so aptly named ‘PePito‘ had paid me in full for it’s expense and then much, much more. The pleasure and fun I got from playing tunes on this guy was worth far more than $99. And although I never actually made a Dime playing, I’d say the value of PePito before his untimely death was placed at no less than two grand. well, I mean, whose really quantifying value that can’t be monetized? If we can’t make a direct withdrawal, we often ignore the value. I do know that I placed great value on this guitar and withdrew many good times from it’s account. well, rest in peace my friend…..it was good.
Felipe Flamenco!
I have been a fan of Flamenco ever since I became a fan of Flamenco. One Day one of the guitarists that played on the scene needed some shots. I got to chance to listen up close and personal and even learn a trick or two for my own bag. Felipe was a modest guy, young, but vastly skilled. You’ll see more about Flamenco in this blog as it is one of the genres of music I am all about. As for Felipe, I think he got some real good gig’s out of town and is now out of pocket. Probably somewhere making a killin’ off of his skills and buying big screen TV’s.