About Big smooth
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Bassist Pervis Alford Jr( BIG SMOOTH) lives in Ohio funk capital of the world.with over 30 yrs exp you can see why his playing style is so dynamic, He has played and recorded Funk,R&B,Jazz,Soul,Fusion, country,Rock,pop,alternitive,folk music. being influenced by and learning the bass players in the mainstream from Graham,Marcus Miller,Stanley Clarke,James Jamison, Victor Wooten,Chuck Rainey and many many others, to the greatist bands ever, EW&F, Tower of Power,Chicago,James brown,Pariment,Maze,The Ohio Players,Cameo,Chics Eletric band,Yes,Return to forever,Steps ahead.and I could go on and on.When I'm asked to give lessons I tell them to listen to the greats and obsorb all the wisdom and experience you can from their vast vocabulary. Bass playing is about giving foundation to the music but it is no longer limited to that role.Todays bassist are sometimes called on to play melodies and solo so articulation is important. over the yrs I continue to find more ways to express myself. in the early 70s I wrote a song that couldn't be classified at the time today it's called fusion.I've always blended styles of music,this is not always what an employer is looking for so you have to be disciplined. Still I stay open to a degree to new expressions.The electronic age has opened up tones and textures formily not available to bass players, I've tried to embrace these without losing the function of the instrument but still going in realms solo instruments used to reserve this has really helped my writing because now i can verbalise the melody with all it's nuanses to the instrument that will play that melody or horn part or string line.I've been in bands that opened for major artist like Bob James& Earl Klugh Zapp, MIdnght star,and pieces of a dream. I was in a all original fusion band called Quaver where I first developed my writing skills and many cover bands from blues to r&b and smooth jazz funk and junk.I toured Japan with a disco band and I toured with Carla Thomas. before settling down to raise a family and working in the construction trade but i never stop playing and I hope it shows.
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