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Our annual Band Scramble
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Updated: 29 February 2008
Based
around the sizzling jazz violin style of Josie Quick, the dynamic
instrumental duo Perpetual Motion will take you on a musical journey that
can range from bluegrass to swing to rock to Jean-Luc Ponty inspired jazz.
Guitarist Tom Carleno pens much of their material in a style reminiscent of
Michael Hedges.
Perpetual Motion began when Tom used a line to try to get a date with Josie. The line was "I have some songs I've written, and I'd like to hear what they would sound like with the violin playing the melody. Would you like to get together sometime and play them?" Well, Josie realized he was trying to get a date, but she also saw that he was sincere about his music. Mostly, she saw that he was trying to avoid being turned down for a date, and that if it didn't work out he could rationalize that it wasn't really a date in the first place. Well, Tom went home and set to work arranging his music with a violin in mind. A rehearsal date was set, and one of the first songs they did was to become the title song on their first CD, “Ready, Willing, and Able”.
The time was right for these two to get together. Tom's acoustic guitar was actually drowned out by Josie's violin, which was easily remedied by an amp. Tom was writing music that was influenced by his mentor, Steve Mesple' of Wind Machine. His use of open tunings and fingerstyle guitar gave Josie the inspiration to improvise contrapuntal melodies. At first their music was a combination of folk and classical, which can be heard on their first CD. Songs like "Nova", "Northern Lights," and "In The Mode" (another of the songs from that first rehearsal) show that earlier mellow side.
Violinist virtuoso Josie Quick received her Bachelors degree in violin performance from the University of Denver. Fluent in many styles of violin playing, she is a founding member of the Frontera String Quartet, teaches bluegrass and blues fiddle at Swallow Hill Music Association. Her playing can be heard on numerous independent recordings of other Colorado artists. Josie's overwhelming variety and unique style has awarded her many opportunities along the musical spectrum, but Perpetual Motion is her one true and long-lasting passion
Guitarist/composer Tom Carleno studied music at the University of Colorado at Denver and guitar and composition with Steve Mesplé of Wind Machine. He performs his solo guitar compositions for private events throughout the city. In addition to his full studio of acoustic and electric guitar students, he is writing a method book on open guitar tunings. He can be heard on various studio recordings, notably Danny Seraphin of the rock group Chicago.
Perpetual Motion's energy is what drives this dynamic group. Their eclectic jazz sound is a style of their own creation. Always on the move, Perpetual Motion fluidly cycles from the blues through jazz to latin, world music and more. Their adept arrangements, great original pieces, and energetic stage presence are perfect for any event. You just have to hear it! www.perpetual-motion.net.
Moira Theriault
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The Band Scramble is coming up ...and sign-ups will be starting on February 22, 2008. All you need to do is write your name and contact on a sign-up sheet, state if you are a vocalist or musician and which instrument you play, state your level of expertise, wait a couple of weeks, then discover that you have four new friends. Your name has been drawn out of a “hat” and matched up with three or four other participants. Names will be announced at Open Stage on Friday, April 11. This is when the fun begins! You and your new group have two weeks to select four tunes, meet for practices then WOW the audience on the BRAS stage on April 25. Of course, if your group wins, you will be expected to perform an encore so you'd better have an extra tune up your sleeve. There is a cash prize for the winners but tradition has it that the prize money is donated to the Black Rose Acoustic Society. A generous gesture on behalf of the winning band, don’t you think? Sign-up slips will be available at the BRAS Open Stage mercantile table starting February 22 or you can send e-mail to gr8scot@earthlink.net. Moira Theriault |
Tickets, times, etc: For all Open Stage events, doors open at 5:30 p.m. Shows run from 7:00 to around 9:30 p.m. At the door, we request a $5.00 contribution for non-members, $3.00 for members. Kids 11 & under are free. Sorry, there are no advance or online purchase of Open Stage tickets. Click here for more info on our Open Stage series.