There are many good musicians here, but we all started somewhere :

Born on Christmas Eve 1983, I began my musical career at the age of 3 when my parents, John & Alison, bought my first Drum Kit. Inspired by my father - John Partridge (Bassist for The Wellington Bootles), I began to play Drums at every opportunity & soon employed the teaching services of Big Band drum teacher - Freddy Wells, who also taught Gilson Lavis of Jools Holland's Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. Freddy gave me a solid rhythmical base for my music.

I was first performing in public when I stood in with The Wellington Bootles aged 7. I found my own first band aged 9 & began performing concerts in & around my local town. I can now be heard drumming with Magic Rising who I joined in early 2001. (Im not on the recordings on the site)

Aged 7, I was introduced to the Piano by my father. The Piano served as a composing instrument for many of my first songs. I developed my rhythmical Piano playing style when school Piano Teacher - John Blackwell became my teacher from 1999-2001. John Blackwell (hehe, not 'THE' John Blackwell) instructed me in Jazz Piano technique & music theory while I attended Northfields Upper School.

I was taught Guitar & Bass by my father & took to the Bass Guitar especially (aged 9). I found that the Bass was a key element in Funk & Jazz music, styles I was beginning 2 embrace.

At Northfields Upper School, I began learning the Tenor Saxophone with woodwind teacher - Andy Stuart. Northfields Swing Band also employed my drumming services & I toured with them to many foreign countries including Holland, Spain & Italy for 3-4 years. Many thanx 2 Mr Steve Merriman & The Northfields Swing Band.

Much of my inspiration comes from the prolific work of God, Prince, Donny Hathaway, Tracy Chapman, Sly & the Family Stone, Miles Davis, D'Angelo, Blackstreet, Boyz II Men, James Brown, Earth, Wind & Fire, Chaka Khan, Marvin Gaye, Parliament/Funkadelic, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Ray Charles, BB King, The Yellow Jackets, Steely Dan, Angie Stone & The Beatles to name but a few.

Aged 18, I am now a professional Drum teacher at Greenbank Music Village & am currently studying a National Diploma in Music at Beford College England.

I began writing the songs for The Cloud9 Mission in early 1999. Recording started in 2001 & my website followed shortly after.

So how bout you?

God bless

Lewis

i've been singing since i was 3...been trying 2 make it as a pro since 14...oddly enough there are no musicians in my family at all...we all have decent singing voices but i'm the only one trying 2 do something w/ it

Don't laugh too hard...

Then:




In Jr High and Highschool, I was the singer in a couple of bands. I enjoyed being the front man and really liked the "attention". I had a lot of fun but it wasn't artistically challenging for me since all we did was cover songs. Everytime I brought new music ideas and lyrics to the table, the rest of the band felt as though it wasn't their style.

So I dove back into what i did best.
Visual arts like photograpy, drawing, painting, and even a little sculpting here and there.


Fast forward:



I met my studio partner, Frank Axtell about six or seven years ago through church.

He had a lot of studio equipment is a very skilled musician. I've been blessed with more visual talent. We began working together imediately on the studio we now have today.

Working so close with such serious jazz artists, I watch close and listen carefully and ask a lot of questions.

So far I think drumming is my first choice. But lately I've been improving my keyboard skills.

I have so many great ideas for songs sometimes but not skilled enough in any one composing insturment like the piano.

That's changing.

My first love is still visual arts though, and that's still what I do best. Besides, I think if i ever dove into music all the way, I'd be broke.

Now:

[This message was edited Wed Sep 11 12:12:01 PDT 2002 by yamomma]

i got into it becuase i believe in the power of creation. and since we live in times where image and personlaity counts too, i'm learning the power of maniuplation by my observing my english teacher!

the reason why i like music over drawing,etc. is becuase u can use what u have and create. some ppl. don't need mnny lessons and nor many tools and they can sing,dance and create music that can reach so many and change the world forever. and sometimes the "best" music comes by accident or out-ofnowhere.

what u sing, how u sing, how u present it on stage, how u attract ppl. and make them think u're wonderful and even cool amazes me very much.
and then...
ur ability to protect ur money from record labels,etc.,business deals, the image of what u present to the world, the way u can represent an entire nation or the feelings,the power u can hold, the longetivity of the power u can hold, the respect and the inspirations u can give.

i always been attracted to music from early age. but at the time it was mostly from jealousy and stupidity of why i am not on stage or why am unable to get the arraction the way the beatles( for example) can.

since i am currently unable to get/ afford a lesson and since no one in my family really cares about music, it would be difficult for me. and since i am muslim, pakistani( in these times) it can be very questionable.

that's why i really love coming here. the way i can be introduced to artists that i wouldn't have otherwise and learn from their mistakes and benefits. the way i can learn ideas even when on posts that has nothing to do with music at all.

Do you think that would make a good album cover?

yamomma said:

NOT REALLY! MAKE IT SCARY OR BRAUTIFUL LIKE A GIRL ALONE ON A BOAT HOLDING A CLOTH UMBRELLA AND LOOKING TO YOU.

How? To be COMPLETELY honest, I went to a Michael Jackson concert when I was 12 and got awestruck by how he was able to control such huge masses with his music. Man, he was like Hitler. The next month I bought a Kawai keyboard.

i started in 1993 it was after i herd the album.

thats when i wanted to become a rock star.

Interlochen in third grade

I was shy, and wanted girls to notice me...Then I actually found I had some talent and enjoyed what I was doing...And the girls? Well, they came...LOL