Washington comes to Edinburgh

Lively, entertaining and welcoming, Geno Washington might not be what you'd expect of a man who was posted by the US Army in East Anglia as a Physical Training officer. And watching him on stage he's a born performer - you wouldn't guess that he's also a teacher! Meet Geno Washington, singer with the Ram Jam Band [playing Edinburgh's Jam House in the Edinburgh Festival 2008, throughout August].

photo from http://flickr.com/photos/chrisbarber/1021261778/sizes/s/

Who would you say were your musical heroes?

Little Richard, Elvis, Fats Domino, Ray Charles [and have you met any of them?]. I made damn sure. Yeah. Little Richard in the Flamingo Club, London was the first I got to meet.

You’re involved in the Guild of Hypnotists – how did that come about?

Fame, drink, drugs, women – after a while it left me awful disappointed. Lost confidence in myself and other people. Now I meditate. Self-hypnotism and teaching my students; gravy all the way. That stage hypnotism that you see. It’s all bullshit. You start by hypnotising yourself.

Everything comes down to thoughts and life: change your thought and you change your life. And once you find the new inner you, you’re just dancing in the light my friend.

Your new album, Kiss my Rhythm – how does it differ from your earlier albums?

Well it’s part of my new career, writing songs. It’s an experiment. Writing the best I can and making something I can live with.

For more information on Geno, including details on how to get his new album, go to Geno Washington.com

• 18 Aug 2008
• Add new comment

Categories

• blog
• edinburgh festival
• interview