WEMU’s Guest DJ talks just get better and better. Today’s chat and musical choices came from bassist Patrick Prouty who took his time becoming a better player and is now respected as one the best all-round bassists and musical educators in Southeastern Michigan. Pat’s visit dovetailed perfectly with the Thanksgiving holiday. He expressed warm gratitude for his many teachers and musical mentors. Our hour included the premiere of Summer Of ’17, the beautiful new CD by Patrick Prouty featuring pianist Mark Braun – better known as Mr. B. – and drummer, Detroiter Julian VanSlyke.
Pat shared his admiration for Mr. B’s unique and natural piano style and explained their joint desire to make a pretty CD. They both can swing hard, rock the boogie-woogie and jam the blues, but Summer Of ’17 displays their stretched-out, thoughtful original ballad approach. As Pat says, it is pretty music. Many of these pretty songs will receive their premiere live performance when Mr. B presents his annual Thanksgiving weekend concert at The Ark on Saturday with special guest Patrick Prouty.
WEMU thanks Pat Prouty for his stories about Bettye LaVette, Johnnie Bassett, Bill Heid, Scott Peterson, Danny Pliskow, R.J. Spangler, George Bedard and many others who shaped his career. Pat thanked WEMU for playing an integral role in his early career, as he was a WEMU – Depot Town Association – Ypsilanti Heritage Festival Jazz Competition winner in the 1990s. Today Mr. Prouty teaches the next generation of musicians at UM Flint and lives every early musical lesson in all that he shows his current students.
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