Geoffry Oshman, CLC's Musical Director

Born and raised along the south Texas coast. Following completion of baccalaureate (pre-medical) studies at UT Austin, I 'dropped out' to learn music and seek fame and fortune in the rock and roll industry; a near fatal decision. Supplemented by a few private lessons with Robert "Dude" Skiles in Austin, Ricky Diaz in Houston, and Joe LoCascio in Houston, I taught myself the fundamentals of piano improvisation. I learned my saloon and rock 'n roll combo playing style while sharing studio spaces in Austin, Texas and auditing some music classes at the University of Texas. There were several part-time jobs, including one as a psycho-acoustic research subject for a company fronted by the Department of Defense, where most of the employees (research subjects) were musicians who had hyper-acute hearing thresholds. My music studio was located in the west lake hills of Austin, Texas; now Taylor Rd, just off Riverhills Rd. During 1977, with friends, I wrote and performed music in a 6th Street theater production. The troupe led the unofficial opening of Esther's Follies following closure of the Peregrine Theater by the Austin Fire Department - purportedly for violating the capacity limits, but the closure was really due to "questionable" material and the mere suggestion of nudity in the play. The play was Sam Shepard's "The Tooth of Crime." During this time, I also composed and performed music for the late Powell Shepherd - dancer, choreographer, painter, composer, and writer. Our collaborations were staged in Galveston and within CAP (Contemporary Arts Performance) Theater on Almeda Street in Houston.

After playing on the road in Branson, Missouri, the Texas valley, and venues around Houston, 1977-1982, I learned business accounting while working with a CPA in music retail. This led to a close working and personal relationship which eventually fueled a sabbatical of 1983-1984 globe trotting - after which, I settled into a steady work mode as a financial controller. I continued my hobby of piano playing and enrolled part time at Houston Community College to learn through classes instructed by Joe LoCascio, jazz pianist. This led to my meeting Rev. Jesse Jessings. When, in 1995, CLSC was seeking a music director, Mr. LoCascio considered the position but suggested CLSC contact Geoffry Oshman. And so it is.

By "day," Geoffry is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TM practitioner and a business financial controller.

"Loose Shoes" ca 1987

"Loose Shoes" rockin' combo, Houston, TX
- would try just about anything, whether requested or not.
Loose Shoes musicians: Bob Lee, Dennis Maroney, Craig Pehrson, Peter Trout, Geoffry Oshman

Special acknowledgment to Peter Trout, drummer and musician, for his long time friendship and frequent guest appearances at Creative Life.