Michael Shrieve (1949)
In my earlier post about Mr. Baker aka Ginger Baker, I reflected about the event. Michael Shrieve and his band opened for the 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 like a convention center of some sort. I arrived early with my special VIP pass. I had my video camera with me, 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 another electronic percussionist, electric bass and 2 guitars. The guitarist, were, David Torn and Andy Summers of the Police.
Mark Isham also 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 group that evening included an electronic percussionist.
There aren’t any records or recording of this band. It was an interesting sound, what I believe was original compositions. The interplay with 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.