Michael Shrieve (b-1949)
In my earlier post about Mr. Baker aka Ginger Baker, I reflected about the event. Michael Shrieve and his band opened for that group with Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker and young guitarist Blues Saraceno. This was the 1990 NAMM.
I had a rented car and drove to the location. It was a convention center of some sort. I arrived early with my special VIP pass. I had my video camera…that’s another story about the footage I recorded that night.
Michael Shrieve is best known for his performance in the Woodstock film, playing drum set with Santana. His drum solo during the tune, Soul Sacrifice is a classic.
His band for that event was interesting. It included electronic percussion, electric bass and 2 guitars. Playing guitar was David Torn and Andy Summers, of the Police. Mark Isham played electronic trumpet.
I was familiar with David Torn from his playing with Jan Garbarek, the ECM Saxophone Artist. I saw them in a small club in Chicago. It was excellent, but I missed not seeing and hearing American drummer Michael Di Pasqua (1953-2016). The Chicago group that evening included an electronic percussionist.
There aren’t any records or recording of this band. (Michael Shrieve) It was an interesting sound. Many were original compositions. The interplay between David Torn…mainly playing non-chordal sheets of sound…with Andy Summers was unique. Mark Isham was the lead melodic instrument.
If this was a one off performance, it was very nice. I saw Michael Shrieve the following morning. He was walking the NAMM floor, before they opened. I was always there early, before the show opened. I introduced myself to him, mentioned I enjoyed last nights show. He was very cordial and friendly. At the time, I was playing in Sam Rivers rehearsal band in Orlando. He was very interested in that.
Michael Shrieve continues to reside in Seattle. I see him occasionally, on the Internet podcast video, Stickmen.