Create (!) - History

History

Create (!) began in the fall of 1999 at a birthday party for bassist Orlando Greenhill. The three founding members Orlando Greenhill, Steve Richardson and Chris Schlarb were all Long Beach, California natives and had discussed playing music together for almost a year. Since that first ad hoc performance with the three founding members and Ian Souter, the group has refused to hold rehearsal or practice sessions. The band immediately began adding and subtracting members with each performance and recording session.

Their first album, Moth Nor Rust, was a collection of the first four occasions the group assembled. In 2001, they released Patterns. Both albums were limited edition CD-R releases and never saw national distribution. Later in 2001, the group contributed three new studio tracks to Jazz – A Compilation, a compilation of Long Beach, California artists. The compilation was released by Sounds Are Active and Pete Records and received a fair amount of attention and subsequently sold out of the first pressing on vinyl and CD.

The group began recording a full length studio follow up in 2002/2003 but numerous personnel changes, familial demands and group commitments hindered its completion. The open ended philosophy of the group has simultaneously seen them swell and shrink in local and national popularity as there is no particular driving force behind the ensemble's progression.

In 2004 Create (!) collaborated on releases with Castanets and folk/blues vocalist Liz Janes. On December 19, 2004 Create (!) also recorded their first album since 2001's Patterns, A Prospect of Freedom. A relatively subdued sextet recording containing one original composition and seven collective improvisations.

Beginning in March 2001 the group began teaching their Create (!) Workshops at MacArthur Park in Long Beach, California. The musical workshops are taught free of charge to both children and adults of utilizing video and audio recordings, live performances and interactive teaching methods. Create (!) has continued to perform the workshops in schools, parks and community centers throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties.