Instrument(s)
Guitar
Information
| Phone |
504 330-8554 |
| Phone (alt) |
832 932-5471 |
| Email |
batkins64@yahoo.co.uk |
| Website |
none presently |
Location
NASA area/ Dickinson
Occupation
Civil Servant/Musician
Music That Inspires Me
Paul Desmond, Bill Evans, Pat Martino, Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, Ed Bickert, Stan Getz, Chet Baker, Rene Thomas
Films I'll Watch More Than Once
Round Midnight, Midnight in Paris
About
I am a guitarist, playing in the style of Jim Hall, Pat Martino and even Django gypsy style. I play most of the bossa nova standards and jazz standards. I moved to Clear Lake area in 2009 from New Orleans area. I lived in Houston in 72-73 when I was just starting to play jazz. I had the priviedge to play with the late Arnette Cobb at the White House jam sessions. I played with vocalist Roseana Vitro in the 80s and played a gig with her in November 2010. I lived in Dallas from 1976-78 and played with musicians Marcel Ivery, Red Garland, Robert Sanders, Vicho Vincecio, Joe Johnson, Jim Shannon and James Clay.
In 1979-80 I played gigs with various Danish jazz musicians in Copenhagen. I attended North State University in Denton in 81-83 and was a graduate student majoring in jazz education. I studied privately with guitarist Jack Peterson in 1976-77. From 1992-1996 I had a gypsy/swing style jazz group in Dallas named "Trio Blanc." We helped pioneer gypsy/swing style jazz playing in Dallas/Ft. Worth area, playing in coffee houses, bookstores like Borders/Barnes Noble and and also corporate gigs.
I currently play with trumpeter Sparkey Korner (Sparkey's Jazz Express) and well as with the "Third Coast Swing Band." I am available for work and look forward to playing with other Houston musicians.
