A NEW FUSION OF THE GENERATIONS.Byline: Fred Shuster Music Writer These days, Brian Auger's Oblivion Express is a family affair. The keyboardist's current group, which shares the name of Auger's famous jazz/fusion outfit of the '70s, includes his son on drums and daughter on vocals. ``We never pushed any of our kids into the music business,'' Auger says. ``In fact, we tried to discourage it. But I guess being around it all the time and being in love with making music, you can't force people not to do something they love to do.'' There was no discouraging Auger, either. As a jazz pianist, bandleader, session man, Hammond B3 innovator and prime mover prime mover: see energy, sources of. Prime mover The component of a power plant that transforms energy from the thermal or the pressure form to the mechanical form. in the rise of jazz/rock fusion, he's played or toured with the likes of Rod Stewart, Tony Williams
Anthony Tillmon "Tony" Williams (December 12, 1945 – February 23, 1997) was an American jazz drummer. , Jimi Hendrix Noun 1. Jimi Hendrix - United States guitarist whose innovative style with electric guitars influenced the development of rock music (1942-1970) Hendrix, James Marshall Hendrix , Sonny Boy Williamson Sonny Boy Williamson may refer to either of two 20th-century American blues harmonica players:
He was a founding member and vocalist of the Animals, a band originally formed in Newcastle in the early 1960s. and many others. (That's even Auger's harpsichord harpsichord, stringed musical instrument played from a keyboard. Its strings, two or more to a note, are plucked by quills or jacks. The harpsichord originated in the 14th cent. and by the 16th cent. Venice was the center of its manufacture. playing on the Yardbirds' classic ``For Your Love.'') Then ... It started early. Growing up in London during World War II, the Auger family home had a player piano, and young Brian was quickly under its spell. As a teen, he soaked up the sounds of American small-group jazz by Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers. By 1965, he'd stumbled across albums by B3 maestro Jimmy Smith. That led to the formation of Steampacket, with Stewart on vocals, and then Trinity, with singer Julie Driscoll. ``Trinity had a chart hit in England (a cover of Bob Dylan's `This Wheel's on Fire'), but it all fell apart on tour in America at the end of the '60s due to severe mismanagement mis·man·age tr.v. mis·man·aged, mis·man·ag·ing, mis·man·ag·es To manage badly or carelessly. mis·man  age·ment n. ,'' Auger, 67, said. Next up was the Oblivion Express, a creamy blend of organ-led r&b and jazz that took in such top players as the late, great soul drummer Robbie MacIntosh (later to help start Average White Band) and the distinctive poll-winning Scottish jazz/funk guitarist Jim Mullen. ``The band smoked,'' said Auger, who appears with his current outfit Friday and Saturday at the Baked Potato in Studio City. ``We made fans out of people who never ventured outside of the jazz, blues or rock camps.'' Despite various lineup changes, Auger's Oblivion Express -- whose funky originals like ``Happiness Is Just Around the Bend'' and silky covers of Wes Montgomery's ``Bumpin' on Sunset'' and Eddie Harris' ``Freedom Jazz Dance'' crossed over to rock, r&b and jazz stations across the U.S. -- was a constant on the '70s touring circuit. ``I wasn't home very much during those years,'' said Auger, who has lived in Los Angeles for about 25 years. ... and now The Oblivion Express that pulls into the Baked Potato this weekend includes Auger's son Karma karma or karman (kär`mə, kär`mən), [Skt.,=action, work, or ritual], basic concept common to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. , 35, on drums, daughter Savannah Savannah, city, United States Savannah, city (1990 pop. 137,560), seat of Chatham co., SE Ga., a port of entry on the Savannah River near its mouth; inc. 1789. , 30, on vocals, and bassist Andreas Geck. But regardless of who he shares the stage with, Auger is a formidable presence. Hancock calls him ``one of the best B3 artists I have ever heard in my life. His technique is awesome, and the amount of energy he generates is unparalleled and relentless.'' The Baked Potato dates coincide with the reissue of Auger's recommended 1973 breakthrough, ``Closer to It,'' newly polished with bonus tracks on the Fuel label. ``I remastered everything from the original analog tapes,'' Auger said. ``I don't play my old music very much, but I was amazed how the music held up.'' Fred Shuster, (818) 713-3676 fred.shuster@dailynews.com BRIAN AUGER'S OBLIVION EXPRESS Where: Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. W., Studio City. When: 9:30 and 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets: $20. (818) 980-1615; thebakedpotato.com; brianauger.com. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Organist Brian Auger recently rereleased his 1973 album, ``Closer to It.'' |
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