Motor City College Of Musical Knowledge

With the arrival this week of the eminent Yusef Lateef, Ph.D. at the Keyboard Lounge of one Dr. Baker, it is only fitting that we explore the term that Dr. Lateef has used to describe his music: "auto-physio-psychic."

"Auto-physio-psychic" music is music that comes from the mental, physical, and spiritual planes-combining the energies from each source into a music which, by definition, is mostly improvised.

Yusef says that he prefers this term to the word "jazz," which can be considered a derogatory reference. He points out that the Webster's Dictionary defines jazz as "that which is discordant and noisy."

"That has nothing to do with my music," he explains.

We couldn't agree more wholeheartedly.

Yes, Yusef Lateef is back in town at Baker's, blowing his saxophone and topping our list of musical attractions for a full ten days (14-24). You may have to go on a weekday night to get a seat, because the hipsters know that Lateef keeps a joint jumpin', and it's jammed on the weekends... 

Speaking of jammed, there's the Earth, Wind & Fire concert at EMU's Bowen Field House in Ypsilanti. Sunday the 17th is the night, if there are any tickets left. If not, there is plenty of other stuff to keep you busy...

John Klemmer brings his magic saxophone to musically christen the Ramona Theatre on Gratiot and McNichols in Detroit. Singer songwriter/guitarist Joan Armatrading joins him for the grand festivities, Tuesday Oct. 19.

Vocalist Eddie Jefferson and drummer/band leader Roy Brooks have things cooking again. This time they've got the Artistic Truth band and dancer Paul Leonard in what is shaping up to be a contemporary jazz revue at the usually-bluesy Ethel's Lounge on the east side. As the brothers on the block would say, "Dig dat!" (And don't forget that Roy Brooks invented the word "Edutainment," up there at the top of the page...)

The inimitable Chuck Jackson author of such brilliant recordings as "Any Day Now" and "I Don't Wanna Cry" -continues his own brand of edutainment at Watts Club Mozambique on the Fenkell strip, through Oct. 24; backed by organist Lyman Woodard (see page 19) and guitarist Ron English. Highly recommended.

Get up and boogie with the Mojo Boogie Band at the Red Carpet (E. Warren and Outer Drive), as the funky rockers from Ann Arbor/Ypsi kick up the dust Oct. 13-17

The 20th is a magic number this month- on Wednesday, Oct. 20 the Austin-Moro big band warms it up at noon at the Macomb County CC campus; the magnificent Selma opens at the Showcase Theatre (see page 7); and afterwards you can stay on the east side and hear Rusty Day's new Citizens' Band open at the Red Carpet, or drive west and check Teddy Harris starting at Dummy George's...

Club hoppers will want to check out Latimore at Phelps' Lounge Oct. 15-18; in the suburbs, the I Band at the Library and J.C. Heard at Bobbie's Pub; in Lansing, the powerful Soulmates get it on at the Garage... And, like Gamble and Huff would say, "Smile Happy!"