Cool Blues Wailer

My Music Interests

I play tenor saxophone with the worship band at Edenvale Baptist Church, in Edenvale, South Africa (near Johannesburg).  For the three previous years I played sax for the Silverback Blues Burners of Richmond, Virginia.

While in Richmond, I also played saxophone in two worship bands.  In addition, I write gospel songs and play and sing with the guitar.  I also like to play bass guitar periodically, and have participated in several bluegrass and gospel music programs.

I grew up in the radio business, so learned the music and business sides of it together.  I had early music training in graded choirs in my church, then played tenor saxophone in school band from grade 5.  I taught myself to play guitar my first year in college, and played with a couple of country bands during that period.

In college, though a Philosophy major and French minor, I took several courses in Music Theory, to improve my composing and arranging for, first a folk group, then a band I was leading during that period.

My Favorite Styles

I like many styles, but resonate most with slow blues.  I like electric blues, some traditional Delta Blues.  I like classic rock and roll, which has much blues flavor.  Bands like Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top and Lynnard Skynnard were great blues interpreters.  

I like some forms of jazz, and the baroque period has a special attraction.  I don't care for opera, and prefer a trained, but more natural-sounding, voice.

For more details on my music activities, see Music — A Life Summary

Related Links

Orville's Thoughts and Resources
Other Personal Interests and Background
Formal Bibliography of Musical Productions
OBJ Music Photos