Michael Van Cleave Mixed Nuts CD

I wrote all the songs except Opus 11 in November and December 2005. I composed Opus 1 threw 10 in order which I've never done before, the stream of conciseness just happened that way. I could not think of any song titles, so "Opus" became the title for each work. Opus 11 aka Dex circa 1979 was a old song I wrote in 1979 as a student at the Berklee College of Music, Boston. The song originally appeared on a album by Frank Macchia called "Bogga Bogga" in 1980. Please NOTE, Opus 6 is available at heatrecords , but not on the album due to length, it features guitarist Jeff Miley, who play's his ass off, so it was a difficult decision to leave the song off the album, but that's show biz.

I used John Lewis on drums, who is also a friend and brother to me. Steve Weingart plays all the burning synth and keyboard solo's on this album. Steve is a musician beyond the outer planets, he can play anything, yet his great vibe and inspiration really separates him from the rest. Jeff Miley is the best young guitarist in Los Angeles, he's a star on the rise.

(that's my opinion)I just like to end by saying thanks to all the great musician's in my life who make it possible to keep bangin' that gong....Peace,Tommy LockettTommy Lockett has played as a bassist with John Stowell, Mingo Lewis, Jamie Glaser, Ronnie Montrose, Michael Gibbs, Steve Weingart, Jeff Miley, Atma Anur, Colin Chin, Herb Pomeroy, Frank Macchia, Brad Hatfield, Michael Hatfield, Ron Feuer, David Goldblat, Michael Moore, Rick Vandivier, Ray Frisbie, Lindsey Boullt.

Tommy has worked as a Music Editor and done Scoring sessions with the London Symphony Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic, Bill Conti, George Fenton, John Frizzell, Mark Isham, Reinhold Heil, and Johnny Klimek.

Tommy is the CEO of Heat Records an Indie Jazz Label based in Los Angeles featuring artist, John Stowell, Jamie Glaser, Steve Weingart, Jeff Miley, and John Lewis.

Steve Weingart wrote music, recorded, engineered and produced a solo project entitled 'Life Times'. In the midst of touring, Steve is currently following this CD up with 2 more recordings which will be available in summer of 2006. These 2 recent CDs also feature fellow Yamaha artist, drummer Tom Brechtlein. Each CD reflects Steve's love of improvisational music. On one CD the music is created with electronic instruments, and the 2nd CD is an all acoustic endeavor.

' 'Tow Truck' is an uncompromising expression of their varied musical influences that never loses sight of their blues roots.

In Switzerland the home of his birth, he pursued the sounds, the soul and feeling of the Blues in all it's forms. From rock and soul to dixieland and the sweet Chicago grooves of Muddy Waters and Junior Wells.