Taste of Chicago 2007

International Players Ball

http://www.the-ugks.com/

I recently got the new U.G.K. single entitled International Players Anthem. I must say that incorporating Outkast, one of the most sought after groups, was genius. The production was a mixer of old school Pre-Motown sounds along with 1999 ATL. Something that accentuates the style of Bun B and Pimp C, while still giving Andre 3000 & Big Boi a challenge.

The main idea of the song along with the production value of the video both work together well to tell the story of a man that has picked her. Her being the only woman that has ever really peaked "his" interest and apparent love. So, much so that he has text messaged ever philly he has ever laid it down with. The story line ... isn't original, but the flow of Outkast and U.G.K. togehter make it fresh in our minds. Go check this single out if... you haven't been infected by it all ready. It is a throwback to the days when the track and the flow were both dope... "Cooler than a pair of polar bear's toe nails."

I still am a Man!!!

We are all ...that....we got!

Make it or Die!!! LOL....just joking, but we are trying to make everything happen!
(L-R) Jason Marshall, Jarritt Sheel, Rashad(& lil girl), Saunders Sermons, Willerm Delisfort.

A wonderful year

I was just sitting here in the computer lab in the Music Building at the school of Music at Northern Illinois University. Almost a year ago I was in Fort Lauderdale, FL working like 3 jobs to support myself and countless others just to keep from going insane....Music! Here I am finishing a pretty prosperous first year in grad school.

I look back at this first year as a trial of my strength.....mentally and physically. I have met so many people in the last 5 months than I think ever in my musical life thus far. Nick Payton, Roy Hargrove, Antonio Hart, John Clayton, Montez Coleman, Marcus Strickland, Ira Sullivan, Wynton Marsalis, Ted Nash, Chris Potter, Brian Blade, Terell Stafford, Matt Wilson, Tim Warfield, Jiggs Wigham, David Sanchez, Corey Wilkes, Maurice Brown, and all the wonderful and very talented musicians that live in the Chicago area. I am also I got tyo play with such a great band in the NIU Jazz Ensemble under the driection of Ron Carter. It was hard and awe inspiring all at the same time. Thank God for all these magnificient musicians and entertainers. Thanks again...Vince Gardner, Diron Holloway for your support in my making this choice to further my education here at NIU. Thanks to my family too...for being there and loving the hell outta me. Love you guys!

I have grown soo much...in these past few months. This is something that I hope everyone can hear in my playing and also in my speech and demeanor. Life is great .... it is hard because it is soo easy...you dig? You are offered all these different opportunities, and choices to the point that you can get all screwed up. The choice is what makes it hard for soo many people. That ...i think ...is were in lines the challenge itself. I accept it and relish the fact that everyday you get something new .....in front of you.

I look forward to a great summer here in Chicago, Dekalb, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and New York. I can't wait to see my family in a couple of weeks and the OCEAN......Yes!!! So...keep tuned in for the next set of adventures from your boy Jarritt A. Sheel. You know that summer is full of surprises... ONE!

Year in review!!!

Dekalb Scenery !

NIU Jazz Ensemble Tour w/ John Clayton

New York, Milwaukee, & the Roots!!!

New York City

Aaaarrrggghhhh!

Don't you hate when you fuck up really bad? I can't believe as of let how I have totally disappointed teachers, professors, and colleagues. I think that form my silence they feel as though I am unfrettered but my crashing and burning regularly at jazz ensemble concerts. I have no one to blame for mistakes and then I sit at night wondering when I will become this monster lead player that everyone apparently thinks I will eventually become. I am scaried man!!! I get up on stage and start thinking too much maybe....I get the sweaty palms and I thinking man I better nto miss that note or htat phrase better swing hard. I suck...so bad. If I didn't have hard lessons learned earlier in life I would cry, but no haps here bruh! I have to...shit I don't know! If I knew that I would have made more changes as of late. I am stuck...I wish I had someone to sit and immulate this year. Dayum...

God Please help me to get better and stop sucking so bad!