Frosty's Flava Magazine 4th of July Edition _ June | July 2019 | Page 41

My love for music started at a very
early age. My father Melton Mustafa Sr.
played in the Count Basie Band and
also in the Duke Ellington Orchestra
and would often take me to gigs and
recording sessions.
T
HE gigs were always great and the
band members were some of the best
in the world. As a kid I used to sit in my
dad’s recording sessions at TK Studios
or Criteria and watch my dad lay tracks.
I remember being fascinated by all of the
buttons. I wanted to know what the buttons
did so I watched the engineer and would try to
mimic him when I got home. I also remember
thinking that one day I want to make records
just like this.
When I got to high school my mom made me
sign up for band class at Miami Carol City. I
didn’t really want to, but I had no choice in the
matter. My dad was on the road with either
Jaco Pastorius or the Basie band so whatever
mom said, was law.
By the time dad got back home, I was pretty
good and had decided to study music at FAMU.
After I graduated from FAMU I started playing
in my dads big bad and got a chance to help
with my dad’s Boiling Point recording session.
I had great time watching and helping to
organize the music and the musicians. Once
I again I had the overwhelming feeling, of
wanting to be in charge.
I really wanted to be the producer!
MEET:
So while recording our next project St. Louis
Blues, I told him that I was going to produce his
next CD. I think he thought I was joking - but
little did he know that I was saving my money
and studying about the recording process.
I learned about contracts, digital and
Melton Mustafa Jr.
• The Producer