Biography This is the highest level of jazz ensemble at Hamilton International Middle School. There will be emphasis on stylistic considerations through the jazz idiom as well as improvisational practice and performance. This ensemble swings hard in the jazz tradition and interprets several styles of jazz including blues, ballads , latin and vocal compisitions.
Biography HIMS Vocal Jazz is in it's first year and is carrying on the vocal traditions of past generations. The groups reportroire ranges from classic blues and jazz and latin to The Great American Songbook and contemporary music. We are proud to represent the Seattle Public Schools music programs.
Biography Taught by Mika Armaly, Choir is open to all Hamilton students. Students will rehearse and perform a variety of choral music. There will be an emphasis on using solfege, sight-reading, developing aural perception (ear training), and basic music theory. While no audition is required for choir, students are expected to be highly motivated and reflect an advanced ensemble attitude. Choir will take part in many types of performances throughout the year including the Fall and Spring concerts.
Biography The Columbia River High School Fiddle Orchestra has been entertaining folks in the spring of the last four years. It is made up of the schools string orchestra and a few friends. It is our opportunity to let our hair down and have some fun playing alternative styles of music.
Biography Sarah Christine has spent the past 12 years honing her craft and evolving as an artist by performing throughout the West Coast and Hawaii both as a solo act and harmony singer with numerous artists and bands. Sarah Christine is driven by her desire to spread the message of peace positivity and natural awareness to a global audience. "My hope is to inspire people to remember that this life is a gift, and to embrace everyday as an opportunity to become the best versions of ourselves."
Biography Adrian Xavier experienced a diverse spectrum of cultures and ways of life growing up on the west coast, traveling between Seattle and L.A. A internationally acclaimed Seattle-based musician, he has been performing and headlining events for over a decade, performing and working with many legendary musicians. Adrian Xavier makes dynamic original world music, blending elements of reggae, rock, dub, folk, hip-hop and more to create his signature sound. He is committed to being a voice for the voiceless, performing extensively for events that benefit the environment, indigenous peoples and youth organizations. His music crosses social cultural barriers and strives to provide a deeper understanding of our global community. Performing extensively at colleges, festivals and schools, Adrian Xavier has been able to inspire a broad range of ages and backgrounds.
Biography With a social emphasis on their music and the conscious infusion of the power of love, Luc and the Lovington's know that songs must be accompanied by action. Front man Luc Reynaud founded the band after his trip back from New Orleans where he was taking part in relief efforts to help the victims of hurricane Katrina. While there, he collaborated with some of the kids from the shelter he was stationed at and created the "Freedom Song". 5 years later, pop superstar Jason Mraz heard the tune and embraced it, covering the song on his performances around the world. Luc and the Lovingtons have toured worlwide from Europe to Africa and Chile. In Nov. of 2011 they released their second studio album "Send My Love", a world wide tour through the many facets of Love. 2012 will be the Love lift off, so hope you are along for the ride!
Biography Seattle based band seeking to inspire social change through the communication of conscious music. With the support of international roots label Culture Yard Records and a foundation in Funk, Reggae, Blues, and improvisational Jam dynamics, Unite-One has rocked performances ranging from 100% Solar Powered outdoor concerts to headlining sets @ Seattle's own Nectar Lounge. This band stands for sustainability, innovation, Peace, and a love of pure harmony; keep a lookout for their 20 track debut album "Natural Wealth."
Biography At the time, 18 year old Portland guitar player Samuel Eisen-Meyers was oblivious to the fact that just two years after meeting Hammond organ player Justin Smith, a family would emerge. Manifested by Eisen-Meyers, E-Clec-Ti-City is a band based in Bellingham, WA. While the majority of its members are still figuring out how to make it through college, there’s been time set aside for the progress of music. Driven by electric guitar, organ, drums and bass, with the addition of trombone and saxophone, a group of young adults with roots in very different corners of the musical world have come together, working to intertwine melodies and song structures fueled by heavy solos, poetic verses, and buttressed by emotion and passion.
Biography Polyrhythmics is an all original 8-piece afro-funk and world beat orchestra comprised of some of Seattle’s finest rhythmic and melodic musicians. The music is a fusion of styles from all over the world, featuring unique, forward thinking arrangements, stellar improvisation, heavy grooves, and dynamic interplay. Polyrhythmics have quickly gained notoriety playing to packed clubs and festival crowds all over the Northwest. Their self-titled, and now sold-out EP released in 2010, has been charting on radio playlists up and down the west coast. After a year of further developing their distinct sound, the band recorded their first full-length album. The resulting “Labrador” is a 9-song powerhouse full of brooding dance grooves, and catchy layered horn melodies. “Labrador” was recorded at Sleng Teng Studios ,specifically for it’s vintage sound, and the recording process was very similar to their approach on the EP: “live” in one room, just like the greats of yester-year. “Labrador” debuted internationally on June 1st 2011 to critical acclaim and established a place at the ever crowded “funk” table for this fast-moving , powerhouse of a band. DJ’s worldwide, have been clamoring for a vinyl release from Polyrhythmics, and on 11.11.11 , the band is set to release their 1st 45rpm 7-inch record on the Kept Records label. This non-stop dance floor banger features special arrangements of the song “Imposter” on the A side , and the live show favorite “Klompton” on the B-side. Drawing from modern influences such as the Budos Band and The Whitefield Brothers as well as their original influences, Fela Kuti, and James Brown, “Labrador” is a shining example of the chemistry between these 8 talented performers and why, in a seemingly endless sea of new funk bands, Polyrhythmics is the band everyone is talking about.
Biography MossyBack Morris Men are a Seattle area dance group that has been presenting Morris dances from the Cotswold region of England for over 30 years.
Biography Northwest Morrisw is a traditional English ritual dance form. It is danced in wooden clogs to the live music of a brass band. This style of dance developed over 100 years agon in the mill towns of Lancashire and Cheshire in the northwest of England. The type of clogs we wear while dancing were normal working footwear in 19th century English mills.
Biography Renegade Rose was founded in 2002 as a mixed side concentrating on the morris dance traditions from the villages of Adderbury, Litchfield, Bampton and Fieldtown in England's Cotswolds, plus newly developed dances. Our motto is “fun dances danced to good music.” Like many Morris sides, Renegade Rose sings traditional English songs and modern folk tunes for performances. We are ably assisted by a musical team playing accordion, whistle and the occasional drum. Renegade Rose Morris is a member of the Country Dance and Song Society, USA
Biography We are a performance & competition youth bagpipe & drum band teaching bass, tenor and snare drumming and bagpipe to children ages 6-18. Based in Shoreline WA, founded in 1995 by Charlie McNeil to foster the love of traditional Scottish music in Puget Sound Youth. NWJPB traveled to Glasgow, Scotland in 2011 to compete in the World Pipe Band Championships where they took 5th place in their division.
Biography The Big Rock Fiddlers are an ensemble of string players from Horizon Middle School in the Central Valley School District. Under the direction of Eugene Jablonsky, they have performed an assortment of world fiiddle tunes at Folklife and in the Spokane area since 1992.
Biography Down the Road is a trio of bluegrass and American roots music veterans from the Snoqualmie Valley, Washington area that includes husband/wife duo Cathi and Gary Davidson on guitars and vocals and John Tubbs on mandolin and vocals. The band's music spans a range from old-time country and traditional bluegrass music through folk and contemporary bluegrass, with a focus on duet and trio harmony singing and clean, tasteful instrumental work, all performed in a relaxed, straightforward style.
Biography We play the music we love from the early days of Bluegrass and mix it up with Honky Tonk, Old Time Country, and original songs and tunes. Founded in 2008, The Howdy Boys is a meeting of the minds; four musical brothers, picking with the passion and energy to make the music sound as though it was written just yesterday.
Biography All members have played in bands for many years - this formation of Runaway Train is 4 yr old. All members are from South Sound, all sing lead and harmony. We are host band for the annual Bluegrass from the Forest festival in Shelton, WA. Luke won the 2008 Rockygrass banjo contest and is sponsored by Ome banjos.
Biography Echoing the battle cry of Funk Diva Sharon Jones, "You've Got to FEEL it", Kissing Potion brings funk & soul to life, with a full horn section that brings new meaning to the phrase "FUNK YOU!", and a rhythm section whose groove will move you from your soul down to your toes! Kissing Potion has been a long time in the making. The original concept was a ten member strong, all-female funk group, but... then we met a few folks of the male-persuasion and couldn't resist asking them to join our lady-laden lair of FUNK. Dirty, gritty, smooth, pretty....as long as it's funky!
Biography Mariachi Huenachi:www.whsmariachi.com The Wenatchee School District’s Mariachi Program has over 300 students district wide. Mariachi Huenachi is the advanced mariachi music class at Wenatchee High School and has earned a reputation as the best high school mariachi group in the State of Washington. Last year the group performed at over 40 events and festivals including games of the Seattle Seahawks,Mariners and Sounders, and at Chivas de Guadalajara games, Washington State University, University of Idaho, the Seattle Space Needle , Folklife Festival, Experience Music Project and for Governor Gregoire. In summer of 2009, Mariachi Huenachi shared the stage with the renowned group Los Tigres Del Norte
Biography 18 musical women, 1 1/2 cups Duke Ellington, 1 cup Gershwin, 1 cup Latin Spice, 2 tablespoons funk, a pinch of attitude and a generous helping of danceable fun. Blended it together... the MoodSwings!
Biography The Ballard Sedentary Sousa Band plays hits from the Golden Age of The Band, 1890-1935. Personnel includes the world's only sedentary majorette and an award winning sedentary drill team.
Biography The Southeast Seattle Community Youth Orchestra & NW Tap Connection are programs in music and dance that seek to provide access to high quality arts program to underserved children in Southeast Seattle
Biography Ruzivo plays a mix of Zimbabwean traditional music and compositions from Paul Mataruse that produces an infectious sound that always gets audiences dancing and singing along.
Biography The Spirit of Ojah Dance band, led by legendary Ghanaian highlife drummer, Roger Ocquaye, plays long harmonious waves of sound and rhythm. The band has performed all around the PNW for 5 years. People are inspired to get up and dance.
Biography This is a World Music Ensemble from the Seattle Waldorf H.S. on John Street.We play music from the Yoruba and Mande cultures in Africa and follow the journey of the music to the caribbean and New Orleans. The Band meets for 4 classes a week as is led by Gordy Ryan, who played for 25 years with the Babatunde Olatunji Drums of Passion as well as with Santana and many other international artists.
Biography Show Brazil!, which has gained much recognition in the past 15 years, has performed throughout United States, Canada and Brazil. Show Brazil!’s band leader and Director Eduardo Mendonça, a native of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, traces his lineage to a royal African family bearing the hereditary title of Mama-Beka ("prophet of the royal court"), as documented by the Instituto Geográfico e Histórico da Bahia. Eduardo who recently performed for legendary Brazilian musicians Geraldo Azevedo, Roberto Menescal, Alcione and Jorge Ben Jor. Mendonça had the honor to play twice for the 14th Dalai Lama (Seattle, WA, USA, 2008); Pope John Paul II’s welcome to Brazil, former South Africa President Nelson Mandela (Seattle, WA, USA, 1999), Brazilian President João Baptista Figueiredo (Brazil – 1999), and he was featured in a Paul Simon documentary video in 1991. In addition, Eduardo Mendonça is: - Former MusicianFellow for Music National Service created under Serve America Act signed on April 21st, 2009 by President Barack Obama. (2009-2010) - Winner of “Spirit of Liberty Award 2009” – Award for an immigrant who has made outstanding contribution to his adopted country, the U.S.A. while maintaining his ethnic heritage. – Ethnic Heritage Council of Seattle. - Winner of “Outstanding Brazilian Male Singer based in The U.S.” for the 2007 Annual Brazilian International PRESS AWARD (Florida); - Winner of "Tribute for Excellence and Achievements in Advancement of Performing Arts and Education of the Brazilian Music in 2006" - Centro Cultural Hispano Americano and University of Washington.
Biography VamoLá brings to life the celebratory spirit of Brazilian carnival! They emphasize samba—“the essence of the Brazilian musical soul” They want to envelop the audience in driving rhythms, and invite viewers of all ages to join in the celebration!
Biography Batucada Yemanja was founded in 1978, and is the oldest batucada in the USA. Batucada Yemanja has played at Bumbershoot, Rhythm Fest and with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and Seattle Symphony 's Soundbridge series. Batucada Yemanja performs samba batucada, samba de roda, chorinho and pagode and operates as a non-profit organization supporting children in Brazil and Zimbabwe. Their websiite is www.batucadayemanja.4t.com
Please join us for a presentation of our Nation's colors in a commeroration of Memorial Day featuring the Total Experience Gospel Choir and the Vietnam Veterans of America - Jim Hinde Memorial Chapter 102.
Biography The Georgetown Orbits boast a heavy regimen of traditional Ska and upbeat, roots-influenced Reggae. They are turning heads in the Northwest as one of the few bands to pay tribute to the old sounds of Jamaican Ska, a style which has gained notable popularity in Seattle since the band’s conception in late 2004.
Biography We are very diverse Group of Musicians from the Cashmere Valley in Washington State. Our main goal is to raise awareness and consciousness through music. we play uplifting and spiritual sound vibrations. We would very much appreciate playing this performance event and would take it as a blessing.
Biography The Highlife is a quintet of 5 Northwest Musicians who present Seattle with a new sound combining reggae, jazz, Latin, and Afro-Caribbean elements. Dancing music with beautiful melodies, funky beats, and important lyrics. Each musician brings their own songs and styles to the group to form the Highlife Sound. Whether you like to take it slow, or stay till the end of the show, the Highlife will get you there.
Biography Clinton Fearon is a composer, writer, singer and player of instruments since his early teens and a professional since the age of 19. He was born in Jamaica and become the well-known bassist, vocalist and lyricist for The Gladiators as well as a house musician for Coxsonne Dodd’s Studio One and Lee “Scratch” Perry’s Black Ark Studio, two of the main producers of the island. He also composed some everlasting basslines for well-known artists like Yabby You, Jimmy Riley, Max Romeo, Junior Byles and many others. After leaving Jamaica and The Gladiators’ band in 1987, Clinton Fearon settled in the United States, Seattle, Washington. He founded Defenders with Jamaican musicians in the late 80’s and gave several shows in Seattle’s clubs with them. After the band split, Clinton Fearon formed the Boogie Brown Band with local musicians in 1993. They recorded seven albums together: Disturb The Devil (1995), Mystic Whisper (1997), What A System (1999), Give And Take (2004), Vision (2006), Faculty of Dub (2008) and Mi Deh Yah (2010), acclaimed as one of the ten best reggae albums of 2010 by media. Clinton Fearon also recorded the solo acoustic album Mi An’ Mi Guitar in 2005. Each song of Clinton Fearon is a strong message coming from the heart of a man who dedicates his life to help a better world to come. With chiselled music and poetic lyrics, he opens reggae to a wider audience who simply loves his beautiful songs. Clinton Fearon is playing with the six musicians of Boogie Brown band or he in solo/duet acoustic set. Clinton Fearon and Boogie Brown are playing from West to East cost in the US. They spread roots reggae around the world, mainly Canada, South America and Europe. You can see the name of Clinton Fearon on headlines for many important musical events such as Reggae Rising Festival, Bumbershoot, Sierra Nevada Festival, Lafayette Jazz Festival, American Folk Festival, Lowell Folk Festival, Garance Reggae Festival, Reggae Geel and many more. Today, Clinton Fearon is counted among Jamaica's most talented musicians by peers and professionals in the Reggae music industry.
