Lenny White (1949)
I was a big fan of Mahavishnu Orchestra with Billy Cobham playing drums. That period of time (mid 70s) was an interesting period for fusion and jazz-rock. Several records (and 8-track tapes) I’d acquired were Dreams, The 11th House, Weather Report, Flock, Seawind and various electric Miles Davis records.
I was aware of Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke from the first edition of Return to Forever. This included singer percussionist Flora Purim, her husband Airto Moreira and Joe Farrell. The first album was recorded for ECM Records in 1972. I later bought Chicks records from 1966. Tones For Joan’s Bones, Now He Sings, Now He Sobs, Circle-Paris Concert, Inner Space.
Those first two records, with Airto playing drumset were my first exposure to that style of Brazilian Samba. His playing and sound are fantastic. Several of the tunes from those records became classic “Jazz Improvisation” academic standards. Spain and 500 Miles High.
Airto’s cymbal playing on those records, are what caught my ear. Also, his bass drum, samba patterns. I can listen to those records today, with as much enjoyment as the early 70s. In 2023, I’ve learned that his cymbal was Chick’s personal flat ride, one of my favorites.
For many years, I purchased every record I could, with Flora and Airto. There are several very nice CTI records under their name.
When the new electric Return to Forever records came out, I bought and listened to them. As I mentioned, I was a big fan of Mahavishnu Orchestra.
Four albums were recorded by the Return to Forever, electric band. Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy, Where Have I Known You Before, No Mystery and Romantic Warrior.
I saw and heard this group at the Lakeland Auditorium, mid 70s. I was playing with a very good group from Orlando. It was a Top-40 band that mainly performed High School Proms, College gigs and special events. We never played night-clubs. It was a popular group on that circuit.
The band got rooms after our Saturday night gig in Sarasota, drove to Lakeland for the RTF concert. They were loud and energized. Lenny White was fantastic. Like Billy Cobham, Lenny plays that open handed style. He was the perfect drummer for that music group.
In 2023, I occasionally tune in to a podcast hosted by Michael Shrieve, David Garibaldi, Mike Clark, Greg Errico and Lenny White. It’s called Stick People