R&B / funk group originally known as Inner Visions. The group was organized by keyboardist Al McKinney (who had formerly played with Carlos Johnson’s Zone 1, Inner Visions, and behind artists such as Luther Ingram, Dells, and the Four Tops), and bass guitarist Gary Grainger (previous stints with Weather Report, Luther Ingram). The rhythm section also consisted of Jake Scheffer (guitarist ex-Xpressions and attended Boston’s Berklee School of Music), and George Gray (drums ex-Luther Ingram’s Unit Truth). The brass section included Charles Williams (trumpet, vocals ex-Camaros), Irving Madison (sax, vocals ex-Charlie & Co., attended jazz clinics by Jimmy Heath and Curtis Fuller). Kevin Barnes (trombone ex-Charlie & Co…) joined the group in 1976. Lead vocalist / percussionist Larry Jacobs, a San Franciscan was added to the group in 1978 after auditioning for co-producer Robert Wright. Guitarist Allen Thomas was also a member, later working with Warren Garrison, the Graingers, Kim Waters, a studio artist for Basement Boyz/Code Red Records…
Baltimore Colt John Mackay brought the group to the attention of Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire. White was very impressed with the group, taking them under his wing he changed their name to Pockets at the suggestion of musical acquaintance Luther Ingram. Pockets went on to tour with EWF playing major concerts including the Wattstax Review at the L.A. Coliseum, the Capitol Center, and the Baltimore Civic Center. They also made TV appearances including a spot on the Merv Griffin Show.
White produced a couple albums for Pockets on Columbia Records with the first being released in the fall of 1977. The Afro-American News described their style as “a unique musical groove utilizing the dynamic textures of jazz, richly supplied by a strong brass section, interspersed with funky guitar influences and punctuated with vocal oriented rhythms.” Pockets eventually scored six national R&B hits (two crossed over to pop) in the late ‘70s on the Columbia and ARC labels.
The Pockets Rhythm Section performed at local clubs including the Chesaco Inn, and the Cafe Park Plaza in the late ‘70s.
After the conclusion of the Pockets tour with Earth Wind & Fire, McKinney, Grainger, Thomas and Gray joined Warren Garrison to form the Warren Garrison Quintet, and enjoyed a nearly two-year engagement at the Billie Holiday Room at Gatsby’s on Charles Street.
Gary Grainger began free-lancing as a studio bassist in the ‘80s appearing on albums by Deodato, John Scofield, and others. Gary has also played and/or recorded with the Grainger Brothers, Carl Filipiak, and others. With his brother Greg Grainger, along with Tony Bullock, they established Hillview Studios in Baltimore catering to artists of all musical styles in addition to recording jingles and commercial productions. In the ‘00s Gary performed with the WPG Trio with a 2002 CD release “Small, Medium, Large” (Severn Records). The Grainger Brothers group Grainger released the CD “Phase 1” (1998), and “Phase II” (2002). Gary also appeared with Greg Hatza’s Moon August, and the Ken Navarro Band. Jake Scheffer continued to be involved with music and taught guitar at Dundalk Music Center. George Gray later played for Greg Hatza, Cruel Shoes…
Record releases by Pockets:
1977 Columbia 10632 Come Go with Me / Wizzard Wuzzit
1978 Columbia 10687 Pasado / One Day at A Time
1978 Columbia 10755 Take It on Up / Sphinx
1978 Columbia 10859 Happy for Love / Got to Find My Way
1979 ARC 10954 Catch Me / How Do You Think It Feels?
1979 ARC 11121 So Delicious
1977(LP) Columbia Come Go With us
1978(LP) Columbia 35384 Take It on Up
1979(LP) Arc 36001 So Delicious
