THIS IS AN ORIGINAL COMPOSITION BY THE LEGENDERY KASHMERE STAGE BAND FROM HOUSTON, PERFORMED IN 1974. THIS IS PERFORMED BY A GROUP OF 7 MEMBERS WHO CALLED THEMSELVES 'COLD FIRE'. DIRECTOR CONRAD JOHNSON CONVERTED THE BAND FROM BIG JAZZ TO JAZZ-FUNK.
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Story behind the song
Kashmere Stage Band (KSB) was an elite performing unit of the student band at Kashmere High School from the late 1960s until 1978.
Kashmere High School is located in a predominantly black neighborhood known as Kashmere Gardens in Houston, Texas. Music teacher Conrad O. Johnson attended an Otis Redding concert in 1967 and was inspired to translate the style of the concert into a program he could sustain at the high school in order to create opportunities for his student musicians. The Kashmere Stage Band was born.
During its time, KSB won national championships in high school band competitions and gained a reputation as being unbeatable. Johnson served as band director, arranger, and principal composer for the band. KSB recorded eight albums during its life.
The teenagers in the Kashmere Stage Band produced a sound equal to that of the contemporary funk bands the JB's and the Bar-Kays. Notable KSB alumni include jazz drummer Bubba Thomas.