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ABOUT THE AUTHOR / MUSICIAN
In 1966 @ age 16, Michael Welch dropped out of school to become a professional musician -- playing music in smokey lounges with musicians twice his age -- backing up strippers, go-go girls, comedians and variety acts -- with and with out clothes. A 1968 FBI record documents a one-nighter in the Hattiesburg, Mississippi jail. Returning to school on music scholarship -- Welch began performing within the Jazz and Classical orchestra environment. In 1980, Welch self published "Quadragrip" his first book of examples with multiple sticks and brushes for the drum-set. In 1984 Welch studied with master artist Elvin Jones, Allen Ginsberg and Robert Frank. Current performance works often include spoken word, video, still image and text.
In 1984 - at the age of 34 - Michael Welch was accepted into the Masters Resident study program at the Atlantic Center for the Arts. He would study for 3-weeks with Jazz Drummer Elvin Jones. Known for his creative drumming in the John Coltrane Quartet. Also participating in the trio of master teachers was Allen Ginsberg and Robert Frank. The poet-writer Ginsberg was a leading figure of the BEAT GENERATION and author of HOWL.
Robert Frank is notable for his 1958 book of photos called THE AMERICANS. He collaborated with Jack Kerouac as the cinematographer on the film PULL MY DAISY and filmed the Rolling Stones on tour in 1972 / an unreleased documentary.
In 1984, Welch knew very little about Ginsberg or Frank, with the exception of recognizing Ginsberg from the 1965 Bob Dylan music film, Subterranean Homesick Blues. During this 3-week experience, Welch was introduced to spoken word poetry. He also became familiar with the black and white photographs of Robert Frank.
Post 1984:
Welch continued a hobby of photography and started research into “Beat” authors Jack Kerouac and William Burroughs. Hank Bukowski and Hunter S. Thompson were also discovered.
In 1989 Welch began to shoot consumer video. The creation of Final Cut and Mac laptop editing would lead to his producing unreleased experimental shorts and other media projects.
In 2001 Welch performed and produced a black & white short film shot in the JACK KEROUAC HOUSE. Using a vintage Arriflex 16 camera like Robert Frank, Welch performed several spoken word drum pieces in the house where Kerouac lived in 1957. From this historic Orlando/College Park house, Jack would take a bus to New York City for the release and review of ON THE ROAD. His life would change overnight.
From 1984 to 2014, Welch produced a self-financed catalog of recorded music and multimedia for his Illegal Radio label. Music and mixed media of Jazz, Avant Garde, Improvisation, Blues, Spoken Word and more.
From 2006 to 2010, Welch organized his 60s memories onto 4x6 spiral notebooks. Notes of a Young Drummer 1966-1969 was published in 2013.
From 2013-2015, Welch authored another 5 books including the 2015 publication of his Robert Frank influenced FLORIDIAN IN PARIS. Black & White images of Paris 2006 and 2008.
Notes of a Young Drummer 1966-1969
Mr. Welch ! Who do you think you are ? (out of print)
Floridian in Paris
You Play The Drums ?
I the first person
Are you serious ?
2015 concludes with his final publication/
“THE ROAD IS”
Documented memories & real experiences of life as a musician playing drums since 1967 at the age of 17.
With the release of these books, Welch is at peace with his collective work in Drumming, Jazz, Avant Garde, Written & Spoken Word, Film, Still Image, Performed and Recorded Music.
Michael Welch thanks the many talented musicians for the opportunity to create music on a variety of bandstands.
2015 - Moving forward:
Welch continues to author and produce his music curriculum called TEACH MUSIC TO EARLY LEARNERS. Applying his research and classroom teaching of 8 years, 5 days a week. Authored into 11 books and materials to help educators; home school parents and childcare providers teach children age 2 years and up. Though his work is in music the curriculum teaches reading, spelling, math, numbers, geography, rhythm, memory & motor skills, logic, diction, coordination, writing, art, sound dynamics, notation and more. It’s educational and fun.
www.michaelwelchpublications.com
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