Douglas Avery is Making a Scene

February 24, 2023

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Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Douglas Avery

Douglas Avery considers himself a lucky man, living his dream of being a musician. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Avery got an early start performing for the first time at age five as a member of his school‘s choir, singing pop and inspirational songs. Avery studied the trumpet at age eight and was inspired by Jethro Tull’s frontman Ian Anderson to pick up the flute as a teenager.

During the late 60’s Avery immersed himself in the vibrant Los Angeles jazz scene, attending many concerts and festivals where he was exposed to the music of Miles Davis, Johnny Otis, B.B. King, Roland Kirk, and Eddie Harris among others. After attending performances by the Doors and the Jefferson Airplane in Santa Monica, Avery honed his singing skills and joined his high school friends’ band as lead singer, landing gigs performing at local functions. A chance encounter with Jim Squire enabled Avery to perform and record with the guitar ace, the two taking part in a “battle of the bands”, resulting in regional exposure and radio play for the song “Kino Man”.

Avery traveled extensively to Asia, Mexico, Australia and Hawaii during the 1970’s to devote himself to his other passion, surfing. In additon to being an avid practitioner of the sport, Avery developed a strong interest in surf photography, having works published in several leading surfing magazines. Returning to California to embark on an all-consuming career in that field, Avery went on to become an internationally renowned fashion and sports photographer.

Inspired by performances and recordings by harmonica greats Magic Dick, Paul Butterfield and Alan Wilson, Douglas Avery began teaching himself to play the instrument in the early 1970’s. Introduced by mutual friends to the Doors’ Robbie Krieger, Avery began jamming regularly with the guitar legend at house parties until Krieger eventually invited Douglas to join his group on stage to play on the Doors’ classic “Roadhouse Blues”. An honorary member of the band for the past ten years, Avery continues to play regularly with Robbie Krieger at special events.

While studying with some of the country’s leading harp players including R.J. Mischo, Dennis Gruenling, Zoe Savage and renowned instructor Jon Gindick, Doug has embraced the West Coast blues scene, enjoying friendships with R.J. Mischo, Kim Wilson, Henry Carvajal, Honey and Rod Piazza, guitarist Franck L. Goldwasser, and bassist/producer Ralph Carter. A regular at jam sessions in Southern California, Douglas continues to sharpen his music skills alongside some of the area’s top players.

In 2019, Douglas Avery acted on his lifelong desire to record some of his musical creations. An R.J. Mischo gig in Santa Barbara provided the opportunity for Avery to sit in with the band and invite Franck L. Goldwasser to collaborate on his project. Upon the guitarist’s recommendation, the budding recording artist recruited Ralph Carter and drummer Johnny Morgan for a recording session at the bassist/producer’s studio in Ventura. Encouraged by the band’s enthusiastic response, Avery drew from a broad spectrum of jazz, rock and ballad influences to compose and record additional material to complete an album.

“Take My Rider”, Douglas Avery’s first album and most likely not his last, was released in December 2022 on Avery’s own GreenWave label.

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