"Music is best when it is profound, not because of the notes, extended chords, or intricate rhythms, but when the heart is on the line and truth emotes from your soul and the intellect is transcended, artistry is when the audience feels our love of music." GMichael
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UTOPIAN DREAMS is riding the latest worldwide contemporary jazz wave with their nu-groove sensibilities.
GMichael Merrifield
GMichael Born of a musical family in Denver Colorado, Gmichael first started playing guitar then switched to the bass because "it felt right." Then, at the tender age of 8, "G" became the bassist in many high school stage bands & string ensembles. Gmichael's first bass was bought for him while playing in a music store in Omaha, Nebraska. His pro career began when he became a part of "Round Edge". This group consisted of Tim Renfrow, Dave Cupack and Chuck Dickey; they worked continuously in the area, opening for Johnny Winter. His professional peers included James Higgins and Mike Soccie who were working with professionally acclaimed Omaha drummer Victor Lewis (Kenny Barron, Art Farmer, J.J. Johnson, Mike Stern, John Stubblefield, Grover Washington Jr., The Manhattan Jazz Quintet, Bobby Hutcherson and Bobby Watson).
In California (1973) "G" was involved in rehearsals with Dennis Chambers and Elvin Bishop and then later with Johnny Halstrup. Then, while serving in the Army in Germany, "G" was busy performing with Mike Naylor (Debbie Reynolds's arranger). Members of that band included Preston Vismale and famed London composer, Janusz Podrazik. After "G" returned to the States, he played with Peter Pogi in "Cool Breeze". Other notables that "G" performed with were Pamela Rose and the Eights, Chris Cobb (Tommy TuTone), Kevin Zuffi (Etta James Band) and Addie Clement (Joy of Cooking and Fanny). GMichael also recorded a jazz television show ( KQED) with international jazz singing sensation Nina Causey. Other jazz notables that "G" worked with were Faye Carol's band (Monterey Jazz Festival) which included Achyutan (Barbara Hunter quartet) and Benny Green ( Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Watson, Milt Jackson, Diana Krall).
GMichael then met Paul Mousavi (Jaco Pastoruis) and Jeff Osamman who had recently formed a band named Borneo. Borneo went on to work as a opening act band in the San Francisco Bay Area for Lee Riteneour, Alan Holdsworth, Steve Morse of the Dixie Dregs, Ronnie Montrose, Stanley Clarke, Alex Acuna, Jeff Berlin, Randy Jackson, Gil Scott Heron and the list goes on. Gmichael's bass playing style is classically oriented with Jazz/funk/Latin influences. His current project is producing and rehearsing his nu-groove jazz band - Utopian Dreams.
"Music is best when it is profound, not because of the notes, extended chords, or intricate rhythms, but when the heart is on the line and truth emotes from your soul and the intellect is transcended, artistry is when the audience feels our love of music." GMichael