You can now purchase the Album Echoes of the CD (Central District) – Seattle Funk here Echoes of the CD !!

The idea for this album was to create the music that I cut my teeth on in Seattle. Give you a taste of what the music scene was like with all the smoke filled clubs decorated in the fake vinyl red and brown upholstery of the time.

I met the Master guitarist Larry Coryell in the Dorms at the University of Washington. One of my fondest memories of hanging with Larry was when I bought the latest album of Wes Montgomery “So Much Guitar”. We listened to the album and Larry wanted to listened to the unaccompanied guitar solo of “While we’re Young”. He then picks up the guitar and plays it back to me note for note with a smile!!!

The Central District in the 1960s was full of clubs and Seattle had its share of ballrooms where the rock bands played. There was so much music everywhere as well as after hours clubs. You could play a regular gig and go and play an after hours club. There also were some clubs that featured all the latest R&B and Blues acts called the Black and Tan. I got to hear Jr Walker and the All Stars there among many other acts.

There was a thriving jazz scene that was centered around a café in the University district. I spent many hours there listening and learning. There was also a guitar player in Seattle that influenced both Larry and Jimi Hendricks named Joe Johansen. Larry and I would go listen to him where he was playing with Dave Lewis at a funky strip bar! Joe introduced us to the Texas blues of Freddie King. Here is an article about him:

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/jun/10/guitarist-takes-final-bow-on-a-good-note/

You can hear some of his guitar here:

Besides the blues Seattle had a bustling rock scene. It wasn’t rock per say but Seattle had a sound of its own. The Kingmens who had the hit “Louie Louie”, and a band that Larry played in called the Dynamics played the bigger venues. I got to play in many small clubs with organ trios as well as a few of the smaller ballrooms.
The jazz and rock scene later became more R&Bish. There is a great documentary about the R&B scene that peaked in the 70s called “Wheedles Groove”. It’s about how Seattle at the time has a thriving Club and music scene and it disappeared in the early 70s. Seattle never came up on the national scene because it was so far from media centers. Seattle has its own style. Philip Woo came up out of the Seattle R&B scene as well as Kenny G.

Then in the 90s, Seattle came on to the national scene with bands like Nirvana & Pearl Jam. Seattle became known as a city of Rock. The music from the previous years has remained almost unknown except in musician and writers circles. The early years of the Seattle music scene produced many greats the likes of Jimi Hendricks, Ray Charles, Quincy Jones and many others.

Hope you get a taste of what the music in Seattle was like in the 60s with a splash of contemporary pepper. You can also view a mini doc we did for this era here:

1. Smooth Groove
Features Philip Woo on Hammond B3! Philip funks it up!!!
2. Da Bogaloo
An interpretation of a Joe Johansen feel with a contemporary vibe.
3. JJ’s Blues
Another interpretation of a Joe Johansen’s feel with a contemporary vibe.
4. Little Bit of Honey
5. Uhp DI Doo
Features Philip Woo on Hammond B3!

Musicians:
Masaru Koga – Suprano Sax and Tenor Sax
Philip Woo – Keys
Makoto Horiuchi – Composition and arranging; Guitar; virtual instruments; Drums, Bass, Keys
Michael Ortega – All Things Digital
Khristina Gonzales – Graphic Design, Web Design, Social Media Wizard

I would like to thank all the musicians, engineers, consultants whose shoulders I leaned on and who contributed immeasurably to this labor of love.

Cover © Khristina Gonzales   © Kultone Records All Rights Reserved