GMAN and The GFUNK Band,United States of America
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Africa Part 1
The GMAN's Electric Bass Guitar Style is a throw-back to The Legendary Bassist Stanley Clarke. Played with the passion of Lengendary Guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan, all intertwined with Jazz, R&B, Funk, and Rock elements... Born Gerald L. Smith Sept. 2, 1960 in Newark New Jersey, was given a radio at age 4 from his mother,(An accomplished Gospel & Jazz Pianist)and by the age of 12 he began playing electric guitar jammin with neighborhood friends til the age of 14.At this age he was given the opportunity to work stage crew for the groups:Earth,Wind & Fire, Ramsey Lewis, and The Emotions at Newark Schools Stadium in the summer of 1974.This was the juice that sweetened the taste of music for GMAN and for the love of the Bass Guitar. He began playing this instrument throughout his High School years, Performing in local Talent Shows Colleges,Spring & Summer Concerts, His love for R&B, Funk, and Rock was evident.Then at the age of 17 his Father,(A lover of Jazz & Funk) introduced him to one of his close friends, A stocky-built,long haired Bassist,with short stubby fingers and clawed like hands from North Newark- named:William "EARL" Martin. Playing the sounds of Stanley Clarke and Stanley's group: "Return To Forever" on his Sunburst color Fender Jazz Bass. Once GMAN heard this cat played,GMAN made a vow to learn to play like him. This in turn brought on the love for jazz. By age 18 GMAN turned semi-pro and his Father bought him his first Professional Bass Guitar.A Gibson "Ripper" Bass and GMAN began recording with various local Bands in various local recording studios.At age 20 he met local group Guitarist Richard Miller and Richard's Best friends;Gene"O"Thomas jr. and brother Keith Thomas,(The P-Funk Brothers)Gene and Keith's Father Grady "Grade A" Thomas is an original member of ParlimentFunkadelic. This sparked the PFunk style in GMAN and spawned an array of groups:- Natural Force, U.niversal S.tructual Beat, The Electric Connection, Shade 2,Qaddara,J.A.G., Unfinished Business to name a few.At the age of 30, GMAN took his talents to the next level,he had his hands already in producing,However, Hip-Hop was there waiting to take flight.He began Producing some Hip-Hop talents in the local areas of New Jersey,Artist:"BabyGirl",(sign to Perfect Pair Records in 1992)GMAN also had a cameo appearance in The "BabyGirl Stompin" video completed by Ready or Not Productions Inc.(NYC) GMAN also recorded Battle Rhymes for "Poppa Bear",(1992-93 Hip-Hop Seminar World Champion). In 1999 GMAN appeared as a "Panel Judge" at the 20th Annual Rap Masters Competitions held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark,N.J. and returned to NJPAC in 2000 as "Bassist" for Folk R&B singer "Chinua Hawk" at the "Summer Jazz Concert" series,In 2003 GMAN appeared "In Concert" at The Cultural Realism Vision Center in Darlington South Carolina with Host "dj Bhakti Larry Hough from radio station 94.3 (Magic 94)" . In 2005 GMAN reached #1 on mp3.com in Austrailia for his "GMAN:THE JAZZMAN Vols. 1&2" Albums in the "Jazz Fusion" Category and reached among "Top Ten" in Jazz Charts on imgifted.com isound.com in the United Kingdom. In 2006 GMAN appeared in Concert at Monti Irving/Orange Park, New Jersey for the Pre-Independent Day Jazz Festival with an All-Star Line up and announced on radio station WQCD(CD101.9 FM). GMAN was"Sound Engineering" Live in Concert for "The Legendary Blue Notes" and 2007 Live Sound Recording for Legendary Singing Diva "Melba Moore" for her "Honoree Alumni Celebration" at Peshine ave School Newark,New Jersey. In 2008 Again reaching#1 & 2 in the "Jazz Fusion" Category on www.SongVault.com's "Song Showcase". GMAN knew at this point,music,like Hip-Hop is the way of life and the Soul Voice of his musical projections.Along the way GMAN has worked with countless Artist, Song Writers, Producers,- Musicians,and Audio Engineers.GMAN is the cousin of the successful Movie Actor:Centry "Akili" Prince.His credits are as follows: He is the Originator of the role of "Terrence" on the soap opera "All My Children" on ABC,in 1992,He was a feature character in "Die Hard III",with "Bruce Willis".He was "Tipi" In "Porgie & Bess",Road Company,1980-81,He was also Lead Character in PBS "Runaways".He was featured on "The Cosby Show"in the segment"For Men Only",and in the mid 80's he was "Little Richie" on "Pryor's Place". GMAN has recorded with such artist:GhostFace-Killah,Raekwon,Cappadonna,(members of Wu-Tang Clan)Norman "Storm" Bell,(member of: Wu-Tang Killah Bees,Purfek Storm Production/Management,G-Unit Management),Hip-Hop Recording Artists:Omega,Mafia:Tha- Haitian Sicilian,Hard Hittin Harry,(Meridian Entertainment,Former members of The Fugees)to Singer/Actress Elain B. Lockler,Native Trinity,Kenny & Sabrina Johnston,(Perfect Pair Records),Hip-Hop Recording Artist "Fierce"(WrekHouse Wrekords), Rayvon,(Bigyard Records),Brad Johnson & The Night People,Dave "SQUIGGY" Biglin,(member of the Rock group "Joey & The Works",Garfunkel,The Tonight Show), DJ Lazy K,- Tanya Diona,(Vocalist Winner at The Apollo Theater NYC),Rapper/Singer/Actor-Andre Moore- a.k.a. 14K,(Star in the Motion Picture "New Jersey Drive")Song Writers Mervin & Jean Steals Lorne Rawls,Diana Young,(Member of the groups- "Young & Company" and the original Funk band "SLAVE")Clarence Burke,(The Invisible Man's Band)and the list goes on... The reflections of opportunities performing,song writing,and collaborating with these Artist,Producers,Musicians,and Song Writers has enable GMAN to embarked on taking his credentials to the next level as an established International Artist. GMAN plays on a customized Fender"70's Classic" Jazz Bass Guitar,Fender Bullet bass Deluxe Guitar,Gibson "The Ripper" Bass Guitar, TUNE WNB43 Elec. Bass Guitar,Carlo Robelli elec./acous.Bass Guitars,(4-string,4-string fretless,6-string,8-string, and acous.3/4 Upright)Samick 5-string Bass Guitar, Staccato electric custom Bass Guitar Ibanez Blazer Guitar, Peavy Predator Guitar,Akai,Casio,Ensoniq,Korg,and Roland Digital Keyboards,Alesis,and Yamaha Digital Drum Machines,African,Latin,and Modern Percussions, Traynor modified amps.w/Hartke & GMI cabs. GMAN is a Graduate from The Institute Of Audio- Research in NYC for Recording Engineering & Music Production.GMAN also has a diploma in Electronics and has worked in the electronics field Professionally for 13 years as an Electronics Technician. GMAN's latest CD's-GMAN:THE JAZZMAN Vol.1,Vol. 1.3 ,Vol.2,GMAN:The Early Years Of Hip-Hop and GMAN:"The Spirit Of The Youth" are now released. Look out for GMAN's NEXT CD's "BrickCity Beatz" in June 2005,GMAN:"The Corridors Of Life" in April 2006,(Delayed Release Please be patient), BRICK CiTy BeaTz 2 in July 2006,and GMAN:THE JAZZMAN Vol.3 in Dec.2006,(Delayed Release Please be patient).
NEWS GMAN is currently releasing Three more CD's in 2006 "The Corridors Of Life",(This CD in it's entirety is on a delayed release please be patient)"BRICK CiTy BeaTz 2",(available for downloads Thru SoundClick at GMAN's Music Store) and "GMAN:THE JAZZMAN Vol.3".(This CD is on a delayed release date please be patient) GMAN is also in the works of some Industry Projects with Upcoming Hip-Hop Artist, Former Fugees member:Mafia-The Haitian Sicilian",Diverse Jazz Trumpeter: JazTheMainiac, A Variety Talk Show Webpage at www.thecurvyzone.com and on a released Compilation CD on KID Antrim Music "Soft Rock/Easy Listening" with various Artist from around the world, In other News Hip-Hop Artist "C Dollar" aka "C$$Money" will be on FM Radio station 91.1 WFMU East Orange,N.J. with Host DJ "Brown Bauum" On Oct.18,2006 at 11pm and will be performing "Live" at Newark's "Symphony Hall" for "The Pioneers Of Hip-Hop" Show Including an All-Star Line Up: "MC Lyte","Doug-E-Fresh" and more...Saturday Dec.2,2006 time will be annouced. Up-Coming Hip-Hop Artist "Romee" will be Performing in New York City's "Appollo Theater" On Nov.29,2006 and currently recieving radio air play on 90.1 FM Newark,N.J. Mastered Fusion Jazz Trumpeter "Jazz The Mainiac" Will be in Concert in Detroit and East Lansing Michigan Dec.7th and 8th with "Thelonious Monk jr." Soul Songstress "Columbia Chaaise" is in Africa Preps. of a new Film release in 2007.Ambient Style Singer "Margie Perry" is recovering from acute Throat Surgery...Reports say she recieved Great reviews from Music & Cultural Directors from her Summer Performance from songs "Make A Decision" and "Getting To Know You" off "The Spirit Of The Youth" CD Performing on the "BET Stage" Summer Festivals This included guest appearances from "Missy Elliot" "G-Unit's Olivia" and Newark City Mayor "Cory Booker" ."GMANgerald". More News catch "GMAN" Live in Concert June 21,2007 at 5pm on Stage at Bedford ave & Halsey st. in Brooklyn New York It's the 1st Annual "Make Music New York" Festival There will be an All-Star Line up Free admission..."MCee Romee" has released his debut CD on the Stay Real Entertainment Label "Spittin Fire Volume 1" www.STAYREALENTERTAINMENT.com www.myspace.com/stayrealentertainment.On Aug.4,2007 "GMAN" Sound Recorded & Engineered for Legendary Singing Diva "Melba Moore" Live in Concert for her "Honoree Alumni Celebration" at Peshine ave school Playground Newark,N.J. Guest Artist "Margie Perry also performed the "National" and "African American" Anthem with an outstanding line-up of Honoring community Leaders and Officials including Newark's own Mayor "Cory Booker". More News On Dec.14,2008 "1st Lady of Soul",(Columbia Chaaise) is Hostess for GMANgerald's "Virtual PentHouse Suite" at The Galaxy Hotel for "The Producers Club" with The GMAN's pictures,music souvineers and more log onto http://www.columbiachaaise.net/producersclub....Bassist GMAN has step out again and recorded with 13 yr. old Hip-Hop Artist: "Popalock"One of Norman "Storm" Bell Artist at "PurfekStorm & Lock-em-Down Ent." The GMAN used one of his ...nal weapons "Tha Gangsta Bass",(Fender Jazz Bass) on this kid's new ~HOT~ Track...stay tuned as more News develops...