Vaughn O McCLarrin’s approach to music defies any attempts to catalogue him in the conventional
sense. Although, for the most part, he plays alone – he is not a one-man band in the traditional sense. Instead
of playing myriad instruments, McCLarrin’s formulaic for his vast array of musical manifestations and vocal gymnastics
finds its appeal in just two sources: His rich second tenor/baritone voice and the adept manipulation of his Kurzweil PC2
keyboard/ synthesizer. Emanations from that one instrument and his voice range from the percussive funk of Sylvester
“Sly” Stewart and James Brown to the serene of Russell Thompkins, Jr. (of the Stylistics) and the resonance
of Isaac Hayes.
Those two elements – his voice and his keyboard - combine to
enthrall all who have been privileged to hear him work a garden party, the caverns of countless lounges around Washington
DC, The Tom Joyner “Fantastic Voyage” or the Caribbean and abroad.
Albeit, Vaughn McCLarrin’s voice
well suits him to offer renditions of songs by former Sly and the Family Stone band member - and basso profundo - Larry Graham
or the rich baritone stylizations of jazz and blues artist Lou Rawls, many bar room conversations have been stunted when he
shows he is equally comfortable taking on more ethereal vocal efforts by Maurice White of Earth, Wind and Fire.
Therein lies Mr. McCLarrin’s most prominent and unique gift: Using his PC2 like a musical loom, he weaves piano-like
chords; Hammond B3 sounds and his ‘mellifluous’ voice to create a seamless extrusion of songs that establishes
a captivating tapestry of sound, the variety and quality of which keeps feet patting and more than satisfies the most discerning
ears.
Another noteworthy aspect of Mr. McCLarrin’s presentation is the
manner in which he levies his personal abstractions and “sweetnings” on old favorites while never disappointing
by cleverly intersecting the more familiar phrasings and rifts at just the right temporal and spatial moment. On those special
occasions – which are numerous - the room’s din level drops precipitously; heads rotate his way in acknowledgement
and warm smiles abound from both he and his appreciative audience.
At present, Vaughn
McCLarrin’s artistry can be seen - and heard - on the Southwest Waterfront in the Engine Room of the Channel Inn on
Fridays from 4 to 9PM. Trust me when I say to you that – just as I have – you too will be caught up in the spellbinding
talent of the man and his music: Mr. Vaughn O McCLarrin.
LaRue Graves, Activist/Artist/Writer
