The drummer Mike Clark has received worldwide recognition in the mid-70s, while working in an ensemble of Herbie Hancock's Headhunters. Clarke's playing and especially composition Actual Proof from the Thrust album is now considered nearly a textbook example of funky drum art. Clark also was a member of the legendary British jazz-fusion group Brand X, founded by Phil Collins in 1975. Brand X in the '70s is often recognized as the best fusion band in England. Mike Clark has worked with many leading musicians from the world of jazz and funk - Chet Baker, Tony Bennet, Joe Henderson, Fred Wesley, Ewan Shorter, Bobby Hutcherson, Larry Coryelll, Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau, Charlie Hunter, Percy Jones, Gil Evans Orchestra, and others. This list also includes pop stars Janet Jackson, Prince and others. In Clark's extensive discography there are 4 discs recorded with Hancock and dozens of recordings in other projects.
"He's a great jazz drummer - and completely free to work in different directions, and does. His personality is confirmed by his performance on the album Thrust, especially in the composition of Actual Proof - this is the best drum solo on any of my records. Many have noticed this and say "Incredible!" (Herbie Hancock)
At the festival, "Jazz Province" Mike Clark will perform with his own trio «Carnival of Soul». The disc of the same name was released in June 2010. "When I was twenty-odd, I played several years in a jazz club with its own organ trio,” says Clark,”I have always loved to play this music because Hammond organ, a heavy instrument with powerful sound. It gives the opportunity to play drums at full power. Of course, this is not my main jazz format, but I would like to pay tribute to this unique genre, which I love so much. I invited several musicians, it’s fantastic! "That is - the saxophonist Rob Dixon and organist Jerry Zed. Rob Dixon has been playing for some time with the Count Basie Orchestra, Orchestra Ellington, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and others. Jerry Zed (Hammond organ, keyboards) is considered one of the most original and innovative jazz-funk musicians. He played and made records with guitarist Melvin Sparks bands and Oz in November, with drummer Jim Payne, Hiram Bullock, Adam Nussbaum, John Scofield and others. In Russia, the trio «Carnival of Soul» will perform, according to Mike Clark, funk and jazz in the spirit of Jimmy Smith, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Elvin Jones, James Brown and Herbie Hancock.
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