Events

Natalie Cressman

Possessing a voice as cool and crystalline as an Alpine stream, Natalie Cressman is a rising singer/songwriter and trombonist who draws inspiration from a vast array of deep and powerful musical currents. She is releasing her 5th album in April 2019, this time in collaboration with Brazilian  composer, guitarist and vocalist Ian Faquini. Drawing from impressionism, jazz, and the great Brazilian songwriting tradition, Setting Rays of Summer is a ten-track collection of original material featuring compositions in three different languages: Portuguese, English and French. With the warm instrumentation of acoustic guitar and trombone alongside two-part vocal harmonies hugging the Brazilian-accented Portuguese, Cressman & Faquini weave their musical voices together to create a fully orchestrated sound befitting a much larger ensemble. 

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Steadily evolving in many directions, the 27-year-old Cressman has already put down deep roots in several overlapping scenes. A prodigiously talented New York City-based trombonist, she’s spent the past nine years touring the jam band circuit as a horn player and vocalist with Phish’s Trey Anastasio. Deeply versed in Latin jazz, post-bop, pop, and Brazilian music, she tapped the interlaced traditions on her first two solo albums, 2012’s Unfolding and 2014’s Turn the Sea. 
 

She released The Traces EP in 2017, revealing her latest evolution, as she expands her creative reach into post-production with meticulously crafted soundscaped tracks inspired by R&B singer/songwriter Emily King, the Prince-championed vocal trio KING, and particularly Australian avant-soul quartet Hiatus Kaiyote. The Traces EP follows on the heels of 2016’s Etchings in Amber, a gorgeous duo album with guitarist Mike Bono that introduced Cressman as a formidable musical force without her horn. While the project focuses on songs featuring lyrics she wrote for several Bono compositions, Cressman also wrote words and music for three of her songs, contributing to the atmospheric suite of jazz-inflected, genre-bending tunes.

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When she’s not performing her own music, Cressman can be found collaborating with some of the most illustrious figures in rock, funk, jazz and beyond, which have included Carlos Santana, Aaron Neville, Dave Matthews, Phish, Big Gigantic, Escort, Wycliffe Gordon, Nicholas Payton, Anat Cohen, The Motet, and Umphrey’s McGee. Her passion for groove music hasn’t diluted her love of jazz. In 2016 SFJAZZ commissioned her to develop music for a concert celebrating the legacy of jazz trombonist/arranger Melba Liston. She also continues her long-standing musical relationship with world jazz innovator Peter Apfelbaum, performing with his band Sparkler. A fellow Bay Area native, Apfelbaum has hired Cressman since she was a young teen, a relationship that exemplifies the creative hothouse in which she was raised.

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Her mother, Sandy Cressman, is a jazz vocalist who immersed herself deeply into the traditions of Brazilian music, collaborating with many of Brazil’s most respected musicians. Her father, Jeff Cressman, is a recording engineer and trombonist who recently concluded a two-decade run with Santana. Natalie quite naturally began studying trombone with her father, but set out to be a dancer rather than a musician. An aspiring ballet dancer until her junior year of high school, she changed courses when an injury sidelined her dance aspirations. Her parents provided entrée to a number of enviable opportunities, but Cressman’s own prodigious gifts continued to merit her presence in any number of high-profile settings. She soon found herself playing salsa with Uruguayan percussionist Edgardo Cambon e Orquesta Candela, Latin jazz with Pete Escovedo’s Latin Jazz Orchestra, world music with Jai Uttal and the Pagan Love Orchestra, and globally-inspired avant-garde jazz with multi-instrumentalist Peter Apfelbaum, a close family friend.

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Cressman traveled east in 2009 to study at the Manhattan School of Music, and the following year jam band pioneer Trey Anastasio recruited her for his touring band. He met Cressman at 18, and “was instantly floored by how melodically and naturally she played and sang,” Anastasio says. “Natalie is the rarest of musicians. Born into a musical family and raised in a home filled with the sounds of Brazilian music, jazz and Afro-Cuban rhythms, musicality is in her DNA.” Her far flung musical passions continue to bear new fruit, as her identity as a horn player and a singer/songwriter evolve in different directions. Playing funk trombone in arenas and cavernous theaters has required developing an aggressive new vocabulary of shouts, growls, smears and yelps, a la the JB Horns’ Fred Wesley. Her vocal work in increasingly intimate and rhythmically insinuating settings has revealed an artist who can thrive in any setting, from raucous, reverberant halls to packed and pulsing lofts and nightclubs. In an epoch marked by infinite musical possibilities, Natalie Cressman is a singular force who draws from an improbable breadth of sonic realms. 

Ian Faquini

Ian Faquini is a Brazilian composer, guitarist, and vocalist who was born in Brasília and has lived in Berkeley, California since the age of eight. He was a member of the renowned Berkeley High School Jazz program, and at the age of 15, Ian met the legendary Brazilian composer Guinga, who became his mentor and inspired him to pursue a career in music, drawing on the rich musical traditions of his Brazilian heritage. Ian went on to study at the California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley and immediately after graduating joined the faculty there. He is also on the faculty at California Brazil Camp, alongside musical legends including Ivan Lins, Guinga, Chico Pinheiro, and Spok. Ian has become one of the most unique and respected guitar players in the San Francisco Bay Area, with his distinct compositional style and harmonic sense. He is also a brilliant accompanist, which has made him an in-demand collaborator with vocalists in the Bay Area and beyond.

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In 2014, he released his debut album with flautist Rebecca Kleinmann, entitled Brasiliense, which features all original compositions by Faquini and draws from a wide range of musical sources from the 20th century, from impressionism and jazz to the great Brazilian songwriting tradition.

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Faquini released his second album, Metal na Madeira, in 2016, this time in collaboration with acclaimed vocalist Paula Santoro, who hails from Minas Gerais. The image that ultimately emerges from Metal na Madeira is more than a portrait of two artists creating together. It also conjures the timeless landscape of the Brazilian Northeast, from which both artists draw immense inspiration. Into that space, Faquini and Santoro invite an all-star cast of collaborators, including Brazilian saxophone great Spok, leader of Recife’s Spok Frevo Orquestra; Bay Area multi-reedist Harvey Wainapel; trombonist Jeff Cressman; keyboardist and accordion player Vitor Gonçalves; bassist Scott Thompson; drummer/percussionist Rafael Barata; and pandeiro player Sergio Krakowski.

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The album consists of nine original compositions by Faquini and presents a fresh take on traditional Northeastern rhythms such as Maracatu, Frevo, Baião, Xote, and Toada. Faquini’s music keeps one foot firmly planted in the past while stepping briskly towards the future with modern harmonic and melodic structures. The duo captivated audiences in Brazil and across the United States on their first tour together in the fall of 2016, receiving critical acclaim from the Seattle Times, Berkleyside, UK Vibe, and others, including The Mercury News’ “Best of 2016” list.

Ku’uipo is the 5th generation living on Hawaiian land granted by the royal patent of Kamehameha III. Her father was a manaleo (native Hawaiian speaker). From childhood, Kuuipo was exposed to a fusion of Hawaiian and contemporary life. Inspired by family parties, and the music of The Halekulani Girls, Marlene Sai, Genoa Keawe and Haunani Kahalewai, Ku’uipo decided to sing and play Hawaiian music. She taught herself to play the ‘ukulele at the age of 8, then the guitar and bass, and the Hawaiian slack-key style of guitar playing. Formal music training occurred later when she privately studied voice lessons. Her musical education also continued in college. Ku’uipo is now considered one of Hawai’i’s finest slack-key players.

Ku’uipo’s first effort as a musical artist earned her a single nomination in the annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards (the “Grammy’s” of Hawaiian music) and named her the most promising new artist. Her solo premiere recording gave her 9 nominations and an astounding five awards which included the Female Vocalist of the Year and Traditional Hawaiian Album of the Year. Her second album, after a four-year rest, earned her 3 nominations and an award for the excellence use of the Hawaiian language in a musical composition. In 1999, the Hawai’i Academy of Recording Arts nominated Ku’uipo as Female Vocalist of the Year. That year, Ku’uipo obtained the Traditional Hawaiian Album of the Year by the Hawaii Music Awards.

In 2008 Ku’uipo’s album, Na Lani ‘Eha with the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Serenaders, garnered the Na Hoku Hanohano Award for Album of the Year and graphics award. 2010 would also bring Ku’uipo another Hoku, this one for Island Music Album for her latest CD, E Hula Mai Me A’u.

In 1995, Ku’uipo decided to pursue her college degree. With the completion of music minor credits, Hawaiian language credits and education credits, Ku’uipo received her Associates of Arts degree from Kapi‘olani Community College and her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Chaminade University. She intends to continue her studies in pursuit of a Master’s Degree.

Ku’uipo has premiered in notable concerts and special events across the state, the nation and abroad. Ku’uipo has appeared in special performances such as: the Aloha Festivals; the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival; the Mokihana Festival and the Waiki’i Music Festival. Other prestigious concerts include the Na Wahine O Hawai’i Concert featuring select female artists, the Bank of Hawai’i Ki Ho’alu (slack key) Concert featuring select slack key players, the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Concert, and the Honolulu Festival.

Ku’uipo has been featured at the finest hotels and show places in the State of Hawai’i and has premiered in quality concerts and special events across the state, the nation and abroad. Among her credits are regular appearances on Fridays at The Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki. Other performances have taken Ku’uipo to the private homes of some of Hawai’i’s high profile socialites, businessmen and women as well as Washington Place, the home Hawai’i’s governor and ‘Iolani Palace.

Aside from performing Hawaiian music, Ku’uipo works with persons with mental illness as well as persons with mental retardation, managing the Diamond Head Center for the Association for Retarded Citizens of Hawai’i.

As an entrepreneur, Ku’uipo, along with two business partners, created a new Hawaiian Heritage and Culture learning center. In addition, she has created her own recording label and production and performance company.

She is a hula student of Kumu Hula Karen Ka’ohulani Aiu, in ho’opa’a training (chant and drumming to accompany dancers). This delights Kuuipo because it is the ancient form of what she already does as a musician and singer.

Besides being a student and performer of Hawaiian music, Ku’uipo has been chosen to do lectures for select groups of administrators of the Department of Education focusing on the values of a Hawaiian family. She has also been chosen to be a special guest lecturer for the Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estates post-high scholarship recipients for the state of Hawaii focusing on the value of Ho’omakaukau (to be prepared).

Ku’uipo currently serves as the president of the Hawai’i Academy of Recording Arts and is the director of the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Serenaders. She is a co-founder of the Maiki Aiu Foundation, a teacher in Hālau Hawai’i, and is a record producer for the label Ke’aloha, Ululani Records & Ululani Media, and produces the biennial Mali’o Concerts. She has judged various music competitions, including as the overall judge for the Kamehameha Schools Song Contest. Fluent in Hawaiian, she narrated the Hawaiian language version of Hawai’i Public Television`s noted Biography Series documentary on Princess Ruth Ke’elikolani.

Garcia Birthday Band

Garcia Birthday Band (GBB), based in Portland Oregon, is the Pacific Northwest’s premier Grateful Dead experience! Formed in 1999, GBB is a group of veteran musicians celebrating and interpreting the vast repertoire of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead, and bringing to life the good ole’ vibes that were contagious ‘on tour’ back in the day. But this isn’t a “tribute band”… Drawing on decades of individual and shared experience, GBB crafts and transforms this great music into something fresh and original. Solid chops, tight arrangements, and fine harmonies all contribute to the band’s musical travels and explorations of one of the greatest and most diverse songbooks of all time.

Originally formed to pay tribute to guitar hero and folk legend Jerry Garcia, the Andy Coe Band has evolved into the liveliest psychedelic jam band to come out of the Pacific Northwest in years. Guitarist Andy Coe, with Gary Palmer on keys, Chris Jones on bass, and Scott Goodwin on drums, deliver stellar improvisational tunes in mystical proportions.

Andy Coe – Guitar & Vocals

With a rich background in jazz and a joyful enthusiasm for blues and psychedelic rock, Andy Coe is recognized as a deeply intuitive, emotive guitarist. As an architect of sound and style, Coe draws in listeners, making collective exploration and resolution accessible across genres. Born and raised in Seattle, Andy played in the critically acclaimed Roosevelt Highschool Jazz band before going on to graduate from the music department of the University of North Texas. He has played venues and festivals around the country and world ever since.

Andy has performed with many great musicians including Jimmy Page, Duff McKagen, Jerry Cantrell, Kim Thayil, Paul Rogers, Rich Robinson, Reggie Workman, Rashied Ali, Ravi Coltrane, Norah Jones, Stanton Moore, Mike Clark, Bobby Previtte, Skerik, Mike Dillon, Karl Denson, Wil Blades and many others. Currently, Andy resides in Seattle and plays in Skerik’s Bandalabra, Tuatara, McTuff and the Andy Coe Band among others.

Gary Palmer – Keys & Vocals

Originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, Gary Palmer zigged and zagged his way from the Midwest to Texas, then to Chicago, and finally out to the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Along the way, he met many fine musicians including the notorious Andy Coe. Upon moving to Seattle, Gary’s keyboard creativity branched out in a variety of directions. He continued to play with Andy in the psychedelic rock band In Lake’ch, he lent a hand to the indy rock group Polygraph Liar, and he also worked with singer-songwriter Josh Morrison in St. Kilda.

Gary can currently be found making waves of live electronica in his double drum-set double synthesizer band Gems, improvising piano music for ballet and modern dance, or exploring the ever new and unexpected musical frontiers in the Andy Coe Band. In the ACB, Gary draws continual inspiration from the incomparable talent and musicianship of his bandmates and, of course, from the insanely beautiful musical canon passed down by the Grateful Dead.

Chris Jones – Bass & Vocals

Chris Jones listened to ELP’s “Tarkus” on stereo headphones at age 6 and his whole world changed.  He realized there is an expanding universe of music that is complex, beautiful, and sometimes terrifying.  When he got a bass in his hands in 6th grade, that was it.  He worked to re-create music from his early bass heroes like Flea,  Les Claypool, Phil Lesh, and Ray Brown.  He played in every ensemble his school had to offer and formed multiple bands to fill the gaps.

Chris has filled his life with an education at the University of Washington, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and a career at the Village Theater.  He would like people to know he has played with Wynton Marsalis and Kenny Garrett but he has also played with The Osmonds, Nelson, and Bowser from “Sha Na Na.”  His recent Seattle bands include M. Bison, Bad Dream Good Breakfast, Eternal Fair, and Discs of Fury.

Chris’ approach to music is to be as diverse as possible to be ready for any situation.  His favorite music to play is open-ended and has no rules.  He learned the rules to know how to break them.  In The Andy Coe Band, through improvisation, he is reliving the first time he put on those headphones.

Scott Goodwin – Drums & Vocals 

Scott Goodwin is a drummer, vocalist and songwriter featuring rock, country, funk and jazz stylings. Having achieved a Bachelor of Music at Eastern Washington University, Scott teaches music at the Seattle Drum School and regularly performs with The Andy Coe Band, RL Heyer, The Papillon Saints and Flowmotion along with many others. Residing in Seattle, Scott is one of the region’s most sought after drummers and regularly tours California, Alaska and the Northwest with various artists.

Scott has played on and written songs for a number of albums including The True Spokes(2012), Flowmotion-Ghost Pepper(2009) and The RL Heyer Trio-Turn Me Upside Down(2009). He has performed with a number of artists such as Lee Oscar, Vicci Martinez, Tim Bluhm, Steve Kimock, Tony Furtado, Marco Benevento and the Everyone Orchestra. 

Playing with the Andy Coe Band over the last 5 years has been a great thrill giving Scott a chance to improvise and sing a whole lot. The interactive music and massive song list make it a non-stop adventure!

Musicians of all ages are gearing up to spotlight their skills starting March 31^st through April 17^th at Whirled Pies in Eugene for their share of thousands of dollars in prizes and the opportunity to collaborate with other musicians, local producers and music advocates.

Musicians are asked to show their skills in front of a live audience and local producers during the spotlight events.

During these events, producers will pick musicians to come together to form bands.

The bands will then have 6 weeks to prepare for their performance at the Make-A-Band Showcase on Sunday June 2nd, 2019 at the McDonald Theatre.

Thousands of dollars in prizes, including studio time, gear, goods and more will be awarded to musicians who participate in Make-A-Band while 20% of ticket proceeds will benefit MEPAA, Music Education and Performing Artist Association.

Musicians interested in details on how to get involved or to sign up to perform can go online to nrq.com.

2019 Eugene OR- Make-A-Band Spotlight Schedule

·         Sunday, March 31 – Vocalists

·         Wednesday, April 3 – Guitars

·         Wednesday, April 10 – Keyboards, Turntables, and Sound Design

·         Sunday, April 14 – Drums/Percussion

·         Wednesday, April 17 – Last Call

Sponsored in part by Hyland Auto Sales

This jam is open to all acoustic instruments. We play a mix of bluegrass, folk, blues, and all around acoustic Jam tunes. Come enjoy!

MuseArt offers opportunities for artists of all skill levels and mediums to draw local musicians while they perform. An amazing multi-media art event!