Discovering Marcel Anton
By Naughty Mickie notymickie@earthlink.net
It's hard to pin down exactly who Marcel Anton is. Yes, he's the vocalist and guitarist for the band bearing his name. Yes, he's a close friend of bandmates, bassist, Gary Vaughn and, drummer, Leon Abner. Yes, he's very spiritual and intelligent. And, yes, he may strike you as a little bit off or, perhaps, somewhat eccentric, both of which may be true. But there's more to him beyond the glimmer in his eyes and the sparkle of his smile, including the fact that the Marcel Anton trio skillfully churns out a mix of world music that is guaranteed to get your attention. they sure got mine!
I "discovered'' Marcel Anton at Yesteryears, a blues bar and restaurant in Pomona. They were having way too much fun on stage and it was spreading through the room. As the group picked up the pace, Anton's smile widened and he tossed mardi gras beads to the crowd, turning the show into a party. I knew I just had to find out what made this man, and his band, tick.
We sat down at a small table in front of Yesteryears during a street fair, which couldn't be more appropriate, as the festival atmosphere was almost as colorful as the man I was here to see. Anton is an unusual mix of Native American, Mediterranean and North African. As a child, he lived in West Virginia on the land owned by his ancestors who had opted for an assimilation program offered by the government rather than taking the Trail of Tears. Music came naturally to Anton, his mother was a musician and dancer on a local television show and she also sang and ran several dance schools.
"It poured on over to me,'' he says humbly. "Music was a family thing.''
For Anton the talent of choice was singing and playing the piano.
When he was 12 or 13, his family came to California, but with his father in construction, they moved to where work took him, Florida and New Orleans, Louisiana. Anton attended Julliard, the University of Miami and the Grove School of Music, earning his teaching credentials for music. After that, Anton worked as a sessions player and did some composing too.
"Some folks were very nice to me and gave me work,'' Anton says.
He worked for Charlie Allen of the Pacific Gas and Electric Band, as well as Boz Scaggs, Floyd Dixon, George Plimpton and a number of other artists, and kept running into Vaughn and Abner. The three men found that they worked well together and decided to form their own project.
Anton classifies the group's sound as "funky world music,'' something akin to New Orleans creole with zydeco, an offshoot of the blues.
"I like to call it 'tropadelic'.'' Anton smiles and then talks about zydeco, "It's nice to watch zydeco grow.''
He explains to me that zydeco is the latest offshoot or evolution of music from the jazz and blues which originated in New Orleans. Anton is pleased with this turn of events, as he believes that it is important to bring your heritage into your music and that, by doing so, an artist can better develop their own style.
"Music is celebration,'' he says. "Our music is healing."
Anton's own approach to writing is varied.
"Sometimes we jam, sometimes
late at night my muse shows up. I start with a feeling. I try to color the sound. I hear
it and try to make a presentation." He pauses and laughs, "And sometimes I
stumble over it like an old drunk.''
Anton acknowledges that it's hard for local artists. He cites Chicago as one of the toughest cities for a musician to make it in because the public does not have access to a lot of good original music. It seems, like in many other large cities, clubs don't like to take chances and would rather have "dance music" or a deejay to better ensure a return on their investment. Anton says that Los Angeles is also very competitive, the number of artists keeps growing, while the amount of places to perform is dwindling.
"We're trying to keep it alive, there's a lot of talent here,'' comments Anton. "We struggle against the system to survive.''
The Internet is a mixed blessing, according to Anton, who compares it to "an electronic billboard," adding, "You can't tell if it's true.'' But still, he acknowledges, "The potential of the Internet is mind boggling.''
To make ends meet, Anton produces and arranges music and works as a sessions player, he is also producing a new reggae act. He enjoys an eclectic assortment of activities, from going to films to running through the mountains and canyons near his Malibu home (Vaughn and Abner reside in South Pasadena), as well as being involved with mysticism, tantric and martial arts and yoga and visiting an inipi (sweat lodge).
"I search for truth and the meaning of life,'' Anton says.
He feels strongly that it is essential for us to learn about other cultures and accept them if we are going to evolve as a species.
"We're everything, all cultures and religions. Strip our skin off and we're all the same, but we're all different." He looks deep into my eyes, "That's the beauty of it.''
Anton hopes that this path of discovery and acceptance will also apply to his own beliefs, "People should know that voodoo is positive. It has a positive influence on life."
Following their last release, "Orbital Groove,'' which has received much positive acclaim, Marcel Anton is now putting their chops toward a new world music recording. Anton is very appreciative of the opportunity to work with Vaughn and Abner and credits them for much of his success.
"My life is enriched by my two band members,'' he says. "They're rare people. Without them, I'm not sure that I'd be this far along.''
Anton values the rewards he has received from his career on both an inner and outer level, "I have been able to pursue the dream and make it. (Our band has been able to) develop our spirit as well as our economic base.''
But breaking away from all the serious stuff, he tells me about why I was drawn to the band in the first place, that Marcel Anton loves to perform. They enjoy gigging at benefits, festivals and community events, as well as in the club scene. Their shows are always a lot of fun, plus the group always has some free stuff for the crowd.
Anton sits back in his chair, tips his hat to the side and gives me a warm grin, "So come on down party.''
Who can resist an invitation like that?
Find out more about Marcel Anton at www.marcelanton.com.