Destiny Records was founded by trumpeter Michael Shields, a native of Austin, Texas. Shields’ original idea was simple: Capture great artists in their natural environment. To accomplish this, he teamed up with an old college friend, fellow trumpeter/multi-instrumentalist, and brilliant recording engineer, George Shalda. The Destiny Records debut was recorded at Shalda’s Beardog Recording studio in Austin and has received critical acclaim for it’s impeccable sound.

To assist with album release coordination and business dealings at the label, Shields’ enlisted another friend from college, Brooklyn guitarist Cameron Mizell. Mizell’s experience as an independent musician, at the helm of the Production department for Verve Records, and a consultant for other labels proved to be the perfect fit to help get Destiny off the ground.

Destiny Records is a record label run by musicians for musicians, with a true passion for the art of fine music.

New album available now!
www.blezmusic.com

"Everything is awful but we still have to sing and dance."

About 20 years ago--already an adult with a thriving first career as a writer--I got bit by jazz and began playing improvisational piano, singing standards, and writing instrumental music. But when I later began composing original songs, they leaned more toward the rock, prog, and pop of my youth. My upcoming 3rd album, INNOCENT MONSTER (2020), will feature a funky, heavy, yet sensitive group of rock musicians including JP Gaster of the metal band Clutch, veteran bassist (and my producer) Pete Strobl, and guitarist Scott Smith of the folk/rock songwriting duo Naked Blue. MORE NEWS SOON.

I am about THE LOVE OF LIFE and JAZZ MUSIC gives me the opportunity to express my inner feelings about life. I find that music is a strong HEALING MEDICINE. I hope that you find the same JOY listening to my musical expressions as I do playing those inner expressions for you. I was a close friend of Elvin Jones,John Coltrane and Jimmy Garrison since my early teen years. I lived in Duke Ellington's sister's house, Ruth Ellington. I grew up with Steven Daniel James and Michael James(RIP) and Reggie Golson(RIP) was another childhood friend. I've been around the music for over 55 years and I still play badly and remain a STUDENT OF LIFE!
LOVE ALWAYS and ALWAYS LOVE,
HABIB

Regi Oliver began playing the saxophone at age 12, however he started his musical pursuits much earlier.  By age 10, the Louisiana native had decided he would become a musician.  By the time Regi graduated from high school, he was playing all of the band instruments;  woodwinds, brasswinds, mallet and tuned percussion.  These skills made Regi a 'blue chip' recruit and earned him a full music scholarship to Louisiana State University, in Baton Rouge, LA,  where his growing mastery in improvisation and jazz composition were prominently featured.  To further his quest for knowledge, Regi cross-registered and began directed studies with jazz clarinetist & composer, Alvin Batiste, at Southern University, across town.  He also studied privately with saxophone & bass clarinetist, Tony Digradi in New Orleans during this period.   Shortly thereafter, Regi heard saxophonist and 'Jazz Messenger', Billy Pierce.  In 1984, Regi was awarded a full scholarship to the Berklee College of Music. He graduated in 1987 with a major in Professional Music.  While attending Berklee, Regi studied classically with Joe Viola and studied jazz with Billy Pierce.  He also toured, as a Berklee College representative, in student/faculty ensembles with faculty jazz trombonist, composer & arranger, Phil Wilson.  After Boston, Mr. Oliver relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area and, in 1988, joined the summer jazz faculty at Stanford University's Jazz Workshop. For the next decade, Regi focused on Arts Education, Arts facilitation, administration and his bands: Remote Control and Modern Art.  During this time he was a touring musician, award-winning teacher, artist-in-residence, professional grant writer, published co-author, executive director, artistic director, film-scorer, musical director, woodwinds clinician and Kalimba Records Recording Artist.  Regi eventually met his wife in 1998, while on a national tour and re-settled in Miami.  Over the next decade, Regi began touring internationally in 38 countries throughout the world.  Having played, recorded and toured with a long list of artists including, The Pointer Sisters, Xpression, Lucky Peterson, Chubby Carrier, E.C. Scott, Sam Rivers, Joey Gilmore, The Robert Harris Group, Tony Cook & Trunk-O-Funk w/M.C. Danny Ray,Mutiny on the Mothership, The Psychodelic Ghetto Pimps and others. Currently residing in Central Florida, Regi continues touring and performing on all saxophones, flute, clarinet, sop. & tenor ukuleles, 6 & 8-string lap steel guitars, pedal steel guitar D-10, keyboards, MIDI wind-controller, EWI and tuba; recording and honing his many and diverse talents as a musician, bandleader and producer. 

NYC based trumpeter/composer/arranger/bandleader/producer//MC.
Live performances, studio sessions (horns and production).
For bookings contact me at soundofsatish@gmail.com

I started playing the bass guitar in 1967.... over the years have also played guitar, violin, viola, upright bass, U-Bass, ukulele, mandolin and mandola. Bass guitar is the instrument that is most natural for me to play. I "discovered" the fretless bass guitar in 1973. I heard the true potential of the instrument on the Hejira album by Joni Mitchell in the playing of Jaco Pastorius. When I heard his solo album in 1976, I was blown away....the best bass playing ever!!!! I played in many varied bands and orchestras including Blue Island (with Tony Gioiosa, Rich Rita &amp; Dan Galayda), The Kent Brothers Band, Northwest Indiana Symphony, San Diego Mandolin Orchestra, Innisfree (with Dennis Cahill), Jack Straw (with Tom Gunty), Stewart Ridge (with Rich Rita, Dan Galayda &amp; Tom Gniewek), and Jubal (with Kevin Waltham, Joe Benson, Mark &amp; Bruce Deane). Attended music school at DePaul University in Chicago 1971-75. Attended bass guitar weekend with Jack Casady at Fur Peace Ranch in 2006. Played in Bass Clef Experiment (with Mike Alvarez/cello).
In recent years I have been exploring solo bass playing (covers & originals).


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