Sara J Presents: Willie Waldman Project
March 22nd
Boom Boom Room
San Fransisco, CA
Featuring:
* Norwood Fisher – Bass
* James Smalls – Drums
The Third Thursday Band kicks things off at 9pm!
Wille Waldman Project takes the stage at midnight!
The Third Thursday Band grew out of a monthly mixed music’s, bands and jam session at the Bay View Boat Club in San Francisco that was started and hosted by frontman/singer Mike Dingle over 25 years ago. The core is a power trio featuring guitarist par excellence Mike McKevitt, drummer Bruce Slesinger (founding member of the Dead Kennedys) and rotating bass players. They’ve been playing together for over 15 years now and can back almost anyone up in practically any genre. Often joined by saxophonist Mark Yee, and an assortment of guest vocalists, Third Thursday’s material ranges from Abba to Zappa, with an emphasis on the latter. We toured with Willie Waldman in 2019 and were Steve Mackay’s (Stooges, Violent Femmes and Commander Cody) local band for the last 15 years of his life. We continue to perform Steve’s material regularly. Our motto: “possibly perfect for your party!”
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Willie Waldman is not a name that might strike an immediate chord but it is a name you'll find in the liner notes of great artists and groups such as Banyan, Rob Wasserman, Perry Farrell and the late Tupac Shakur. While the list goes on, there's much more to this trumpet players credit than simply recording as a sideman on many of today's contemporary artists albums.
Willie Waldman was born July 5th, in Santa Ana, California, summer of 1965. Since Willie was three years old he's been infatuated with music, specifically one instrument, namely, the trumpet. For years he begged his mother for the prize until she finally purchased his first trumpet at the age of seven, with the exception that he would learn to play. Now living in Westville, In. (Just East of Chicago) Saturday mornings brought those lessons with Mr. Claude, Willies first music instructor. Soon thereafter Willie found himself in school and in his first large ensemble situation with the Chesterton High School Marching Band in Chesterton Indiana. The band had won many state and national marching band competitions that led to Willies eventual scholarship with Memphis State University. This is where Willie feels he received his first real training.
Beale Street is where the action is in Memphis, and Willies calling beckoned him to find work playing on the famous strip. He met living legends Herman Green, Calvin Newborn and Jimmie Ellis (Willies first actual paid gig) at Club Handy. Willie recalls, "I would go there and sit in and they would have me playing John Coltrane songs. I was so horrible and lost. I remember Herman saying, If you want to keep coming and stinking up my stage you'd better take some lessons! So I started taking lessons from Herman and slowly honed my skills."
Now a member of Herman Green & the Green Machine (The Memphis Giant that produced such greats as James Williams, Mulgrew Miller, Kirk Whalum and others) Willie was playing five plus nights a week. As Willie and Herman became better friends they decided to try playing their music with a different approach in hopes of reaching a younger audience. Something with more of a rock/fusion flavor. Their conception and direction led to the 1987 formation of Freeworld. Freeworld became an educational breeding ground for many of Willies life long friends and fellow musicians and the group toured with huge name acts like Stevie Ray Vaughn, The Robert Cray Band, Albert King and Joe Cocker.
After several years of playing and touring with Freeworld, Willies drive brought him to California in 1994 to meet up with friend and engineer David Aron. At the time, Dave was working with Death Row Studios mixing and recording Snoop Dog's latest release and Snoop wanted to polish the disc with a brass touch. Willie was in the City of Angels less than one week and was already recording with Raps biggest superstar! He went on to record with Tupac Shakur, The Dogg Pound, Dazz & Kurupt, K Ci & Jo Jo, Exhibit and Nate Dogg. Although the situation was different, the experience and musical level was never the less very much the same. It proved valuable as well because this eventually led to session work on studio soundtracks such as Tombstone, Under Seige 2 and 101 Dalmations and also many commercials.
In 1997 Willie met Perry Farrell of Janes Addiction. Willie states, "Perry opened the door to the whole alternative rock scene for me. I did horn parts for Perry's project Gobalee using the original Earth, Wind & Fire horn section and went on to meet Janes Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins." A Waldman and Perkin's friendship ensued and Willie played, wrote and co-produced the second Banyan recording Anytime at All including some of Willie's original Memphis crew Clint Wagner and Ross Rice. Working with Clint and Ross also brought Willie yet another musical connection with the introduction of Rob Wasserman of the Grateful Dead. Wille recorded on Wasserman's Space Island project and Willie was once again, an integral part of the project, writing, playing and co producing.
Willies first album, The Willie Waldman Project was recorded largely in the summer of 2000. Produced and engineered by Dave Aaron, Willie has brought an array of talent to the table showcasing the musicianship of: Daniel Shulman (Garbage), John Molo (Mickey Hart/Phil Lesh), Tony Franklin (The Firm/Jimmy Page), Greg Kurstin (Sheryl Crow/Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Stephen Perkins (Janes Addiction/Banyan/Methods of Mayhem). An all original album, Willies thoughts are that this recording encompasses the roots of Memphis and the freeform of L.A. bringing an eclectic, jam oriented jazz album that will definitely knock your socks off! Twelve tunes strong, dip into the light Latin tinged Spanish Nights and the Acid feel of Surfin' Dog and Happy Days to start. You'll hear a definite Miles touch on Magic of Bear and Ursa Major while the back-beat of Rise Rise will make you want to shake your Memphis tail-feather! If avant-garde is your bag than it's here as well. Take a trip on the Cygnus X1. Rounding out the project are the percussive "7 8" and "6 8" with just enough electric piano and Latin bump/funk to make any fan hussle.
A testament to his style, experience and roots, Willie Waldman has arrived and the proof is here in the Willie Waldman Project. Simply said, Willie Waldman will be the "next big name" years and bios apart from today's first project and you'll still see his name on credits everywhere!
James “StickNasty” Small is an Oakland based, Grammy nominated Drummer, Producer, and Actor known for his artistic dexterity whether leaning into his deep pocket behind the kit, unique and great sense of taste as a producer and depth as an Actor. James hails from a musical family with strong Church roots, with Pastor Mother directing the Church Choir and father as Musical Director and Pianist. Small grew up playing alongside them both in the Gospel music tradition from the young age of two years old. Gospel was his first introduction to music, and it was in the church that he developed a love and understanding of music.
Small’s love and sense of music was further enveloped with his parents' careful selection of styles and tastes ranging from Disney Radio to smooth Jazz to Gospel. As Small continued through schooling, his musical repertoire expanded, landing him at Berkeley High School and as the percussionist for the acclaimed Berkeley High Jazz Program under the tutelage of Charles Hamilton. This experience was formative in shaping Small into the drummer, pianist, and producer that he is today.
With his heart set on only one place, Small was accepted into the Berklee College of Music in Boston in 2009. As often is the case at the world renowned Berklee, Small was approached in his first semester by a student who was the musical director for a group called Bedroc which set Small on the rocket ship trajectory of touring. Bedroc’s first show was opening for 2 Chainz to none other than a sold out arena. This launched the band to full time touring with Small dropping out of Berklee to pursue his musical dreams. As also often happens, Bedroc broke up in 2013, with Small finding himself at a key life crossroads. Out of school, out of a band, and now living in Cleveland with no job, Small looked inward to a deep passion he had for uplifting and supporting community youth. Feeling called, He took a job as an after-school program counselor at The Haley School of the Performing Arts for a year before moving back home.
Upon his return to the Bay Area, Small immediately jumped back to playing shows every night. Building his chops and skill, Small became a member of several bands, including Sal’s Greenhouse, Kezar, STANG, Mama’s Soup, and Liberation Movement just to name a few. His next break would come In 2016 when Small received a call to come in and audition for acclaimed artist, Fantastic Negrito. With his skill and affable charm, Small quickly became a fixture behind the kit and began touring with Fantastic Negrito. After two long years of touring, Small had to take a step back and focus on recovering from substance abuse. These types of moments often build deep emotional ability to craft music that resonates with so many. After making a recovery and implementing life changes, Small was welcomed back into Fantastic Negrito and has been touring internationally since. Small is proud to have recently celebrated five years of sobriety.
As seasoned a drummer as they come, Small has played on some of the biggest stages in the world including Red Rocks, Radio City Music Hall, The Greek Theater (Los Angeles and Berkeley, CA), and the Boston Symphony Hall. He has played at many notable festivals including, Afro Punk in Paris, North Sea Jazz Festival, Hollywood Bowl Jazz Fest, and Monterey Jazz Festival. He has also appeared on several Late Night TV shows, such as Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert. He has shared the stage with several celebrated artists including Train, Lyrics Born, Taj Mahl, Rexx Life Raj, Ariana Afsar and more.
In 2022 his professional acting career bloomed when he was cast as the starring role alongside his Fiancé, Sahra Brubeck, in Fantastic Negrito’s visual Album “White Jesus Black Problems.”
Today, Small is an after-school teacher at Emerson Elementary School where he teaches drama class, dance class, and writes musicals. Small specializes in music production, drums and percussion, as well as being a music director and bandleader. He continues to tour with 3x Grammy Winner, Fantastic Negrito, and he works with several other artists as a studio musician and performer.