 Seleno Clarke
Seleno Clarke hosts an international jam session every Sunday evening from 7:00pm - 12:00am at Harlem's American Legion Hall. Local artists jam with players from Europe and Japan in a comfortable setting Seleno describes as his "living room". Complete with Home Cooking especially prepared for this marvelous weekly event. The American Legion Hall is located at 248 West 132nd St., New York. If the soul had an engine, it might sound like the amazing Hammond "B3" Organ. Seleno Clarke began his mastery of the instrument with its plugged in gospel feeling in the early 60's when organ ensembles were the rage, and pumped up soul jazz reverberated in the best Harlem clubs. With Leslie speakers to impart the organ's unique vibrato, "B3" artists not only inspired church goers to worship, but also night clubbers to jump up and dance.
Raised in the Washington D.C. and the Maryland area, Seleno first learned music from this grandfather, a professor at Lincoln University. Following this studies at Carver College where he focused on playing alto and tenor saxophone he decided to move to New York. In the 60s he made his living playing saxophone in all the clubs in the Harlem loop (including the Apollo) and downtown. Seleno and Kenny Dorham were two of the last artist to play the famous Minton's Playhouse. Throughout his career, Seleno's magnetism as a leader and entertainer has drawn many upcoming artists to play with him. Legends like the late Grant Green and stars like George Benson have also appeared frequently as special guests with Seleno's bands. The long list of other players who have played with him also includes Melvin Sparks, Jimmy Ponder, Jessie Hameen, Mark Whitfield and Russell Malone. Seleno tours with various exciting ensembles. For example, in October '96 when he bought his quintet to The Cork Jazz Festival in Ireland, Seleno's group was one of the most critically acclaimed, standing room only, encore playing smash hits of the festival. George Benson produced Seleno's quintet CD, "Diversity". This extraordinary recording expresses both the roots of his creative vision and his exhilarating contemporary sound, Seleno always chooses band members who are top-notch improvisers who are as in synch with Seleno's swinging groove as they are fresh in their solo concepts. Seleno's latest CD, Diversity 2: Live at Smoke includes guests Eric Alexander on tenor sax, Jim Rotondi on trumpet, Gerald Brazel on trumpet, David Lee Jones on alto sax, Joe Friedman on guitar, Steve Davis on trombone, David ORourke on guitar, David Gibson on trombone, and Rodney Jones on guitar Seleno Clarke hosts an international jam session every Sunday evening from 7:00pm - 12:00am at Harlem's American Legion Hall. Local artists jam with players from Europe and Japan in a comfortable setting Seleno describes as his "living room". Complete with Home Cooking especially prepared for this marvelous weekly event. The American Legion Hall is located at 248 West 132nd St., New York. |
New York 
Tuesday, 09 February 2010
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