An Important Role In My Life
Montreux Jazz CEO Claude Nobs was also my first European Tour Manager in 1978
This past summer I had the extreme pleasure of playing the Montreux Jazz Festival once again. They wanted to honor me but I wanted to honor the music that changed my life - dance music. I started out playing classical music as a child primarily, became a jazz session-player / club-date musician as a young adult - until I evolved into a dance music composer / producer / performer.
I named my all-night festival within a festival: FREAKOUT MONTREUX! The Evolution of Dance Music - and I used this night to tell the story of my personal evolution. Almost everyone on the program has played An Important Role In My Life.
DJ Scarlett Etienne, me, Johnny Marr Legendary Guitarist from The Smiths named his son after me, & Mark Ronson whom I've know since he was 5
Baltimore's Amazing Performance DJ Vocal Artist Ultra Naté
Grace Jones has changed my life in so many ways - I've also known her son Paulo (Beatboxer / Percussionist) since he was born
Me and Legendary Remixer DJ Dimitri from Paris who killed a CHIC Boxset a couple years back
Yazoo's iconic vocalist Alison Moyet leads us through Mark Ronson's version of Johnny's smash "Stop Me" by The Smiths
The FREAKOUT MONTREUX! Artists Autographed Guitar
R&B / Soul / Disco Pioneers Tavares
The supportive fans which allow me to live Lost In Music!
Taylor Dayne is all I need to say!
CHIC with Elly Jackson of La Roux
Disco Legend Marc Cerrone who was the labelmate of Sister Sledge when I did We Are Family