Inspiration

"Doing my years as a musician/performer in the music business I have tried to encourage many musicians I have worked with to work their craft and not to be boxed in. Not only play their instrument but also to be creative to bring their music to different levels and to experience what they are playing so whatever type of music they play will take them on an adventure to be enjoyed. Most importantly not to lose their joy/passion for what they are doing or playing."

"With this lesson in mind as years have passed I have found that I am encouraged by some of them because of their success and commitment for many have remained true to the Art and themselves by following their hearts."

Below are the names of musicians I have worked with in the past and hope I had a part in inspiring them to go higher. The best part is to this day we are all the Best of Friends!  -XY Eli

 

 

Clarence "GateMouth" Brown

'To my friend, I'm going to miss you...Rest in Peace'

                          XY Eli

Clarence passed away

Saturday Sept 10, 2005

 in Orange, Texas. 

He was 81.

"All around musician who could play country, western, blues and whatever else he felt like.
Eli taped a public access show featuring Mr. Brown and has found him to be an inspirational musician who did what he pleased."

 
 

 

 Although world renown saxophone player Jackie sadly left us on March 31,2006. Jackie and Eli used to sit and talk about jazz, blues and their delta connection. For further information contact The Artist's Collective.

 

 

 

Jackie's wife, Dolly (top photo: center) at a Gala held in his honor at The Artist's Collective. Xy and Redhouse provided some of the evenings entertainment at this black tie event. Photo courtesy of Connecticut Magazine.

 

One of the GREAT Bluesman "Buddy Guy"

photo courtesy of Maurice Robertson

 

 

 

Xy Eli's Grandfather 

He bought XY his first guitar. Since then my music has taken me lots of places. He would love to hear that church is still Eli's favorite place to play.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 XY Eli & Cindy Blackman (Drummer)  

Cindy has at least 3 CD's to her credit.

  

    

She is now touring with Lenny Kravitz one of the biggest black rockers in the business.

 

   

Robert Townsend (Actor Director) meets with XY Eli

Eli with Doug Wimbish and friend. 

Doug is the Bass man for the band Living Color, who was big in the 80's and

received a Grammy.

 XY Eli  with Doug at Wimbash in Hartford.

 

       

Knotty (Rapper/Writer) Currently working with the XY 

 

Olu Dara    XY hangs out with Nas's father at the Artist Collective. He found they had a lot in common and XY even got his autograph. 

 

Doug Wimbush (Bass) Currently with "Living Color" and has done other projects with Seal, Mike Jaguar, Sugar Hill Gang, Buster Rhythms and the list goes on.....

 

  SOMETIMES I GET THE BLUES