Mike Armando was born in New York City. Mike was the guitarist for Screamin’ Jay Hawkins during the 1970’s. In February 1976 Screamin’ Jay Hawkins suffered facial injuries when he was burned by one of his flaming props while performing with his guitarist Mike Armando at the Virginia Theater in Alexandria,Va. (Reference wikipedia Screamin’ Jay Hawkins). Mike Armando’s years of being the guitarist for Screamin’ Jay Hawkins can be read about in the new book written by author Steve Bergsman “I Put A Spell On You: The Bizarre Life of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins”. The book is published by Feral House and is receiving rave reviews. A must read.
We asked Mike what was it like being in Screamin’ Jay’s Hawkins band back in the day? Mike said. “Well that is a tough question and laughs. It was like being in a crazy house and laughs again. You never knew what was going to happen from day to day while we were on the road.” Now that there is a new book out by Steve Bergsman on Screamin’ Jay Hawkins life, you will be able to read about it. It is shocking. A great read and put together book. On one page I think it was page 156 which caught my eye. It says the band used to practice in Jay’s apartment which didn’t always go well with the neighbors. Can you elaborate on that? “Yes, a neighbor of Jays never liked our music so every time we rehearsed the neighbor would bang on the walls. Jay said don’t pay attention to him so we kept playing”. “One day when rehearsing it turned out differently. The neighbor banged on the wall than it stopped. The band paused when we heard banging on Jays apartment door. Jay opens the door and the neighbor yells “I’m tired of hearing your music, I don’t like your music! Stop it. I can’t take the noise.” The neighbor steps into Jays apartment and jay hits him and knocks him to the floor. The police came but nothing ever happened after that”. Wow now I can see why this is a must read book. A lot of crazy things happened with Screamin’ Jay Hawkins. What are your plans moving forward? “I started a band called “The Resurrection of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins Band. We perform live shows taking you back in time to the music of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins. We even have a coffin our singer Shakar comes out of and a toilet bowl for constipation blues which Shakar sits on while singing the tune. This project is comprised of extremely talented and seasoned musicians”. From a music preservationist standpoint, it’s important that old R&B singers like Screamin’ Jay Hawkins are remembered and written about. Steve Bergsman has done his part to keep the legacy alive with his new book release. Now Jazz/blues guitarist Mike Armando has done his part in putting this musical show act together. Mike said he is very proud of the musicians he has picked for this special project. The great soulful singer Shakar “TheRealShakar” Brumfield who took on this monumental task of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins. Mike describes Shakar as one of the best singers in NYC. This project is comprised of extremely talented and seasoned musicians. “TheRealShakar” Brumfield – vocals, Mike Armando – guitar, Tim Price – sax, Andrew Golba – bass, Gene Linefsky – drums.
The hardest part of forming this band was finding the right singer to take Hawkins place on stage which is a tall order. After searching and searching I found Shakar “TheRealShakar” Brumfield. Shakar is a vocalist, actor, poet and writer lives in N.Y.C. TheRealShakar has performed on stages and all over the Tri-State area and the DMV. In late 2016 he won the Apollo’s theater’s Amateur Night Making a Star competition and performed on the world famous stage in a showcase featuring R&B Crooner TANK. Shakar is a great person, singer and performer.
Is the Resurrection of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins Band performing anywhere in the near future. Yes we will be performing February 7, 2020 in New York City at The Bowery Electric. Some of the other musical accompaniments of Mike are, he has produced 15 CDs on the mja label with such artists as Grammy award winner Fred Lipsius from Blood Sweet & Tears, Nancy Monroe, David Allan Gross, Chris Clark. Pat Morrissey, Artt Frank. One of the tracks from Fred Lipsius, mja release “Better Believe It” was released and distributed throughout the world on MCA Records. mja recording artist Artt Frank who was the drummer for the late great Chet Baker was inducted into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame on November 16, 2010. Mike Armando was the producer for all three of Artt’s CD’s. Mike has recorded with the jazz group “In The Moment” with bassist Andrew Golba and drummer Bob Moses. Mike’s latest release The Countdown. Mike Armando has worked with Actress Sharon Stone along with drumming great Artt Frank on his CD release Waltz for Sharon Stone. Mike was the producer for Artt’s CD. Mike has performed at the Exit Zero Jazz Festival in Cape May, N.J. backing multi saxophonist Tim Price.
Mike has worked with other great musician’s in his recording and musical career with the likes of Eddie Gomez, Marcus McLaurine, Michael Cochrane, Mike Stern & Bob Moses who recorded on the mja release with David Alan Gross “The Final Answer to Everything”. Mike produced the mja Jazz & Blues festival and had such artists as guitarist Dave Stryker perform.
The Bowery Electric, 327 Bowery, New York, NY 10003, (212) 228-0228
For more information and ticket sales for the February 7th debut Bowery Electric concert go to:
Resurrection of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins website:
For bookings:
For author Steve Bergsman new book release, I Put A Spell On You: The Bizarre Life of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins: