Bio: Ampersand is an acoustic duo playing a style of music they describe as ‘City Folk’ which blends pop, folk, and classic jazz melodies to craft a cheerful sound. Their original songs merge classic melodic styles with modern sensibilities to showcase Rachel Garcia’s expressive vocals and Thu Tran’s crisp acoustic arrangements.
Instrumentation: Vocals, Guitar/Banjo/Ukulele/Harmonica, Various Wind, Various Percussion
Bio: The Bells present their brand of roots music in two different ways. The first is their "Electrified Roots Rock and Roll show." The second is a "Swamp Opera" for which they use Depression-era costumes, add gospel singers and play traditional acoustic instruments.
Instrumentation: For Electrified Roots Rock and Roll Show: 2 electric guitars, lap steel guitar, bass, drums, harmonica and vocals. For Acoustic "Swamp Opera:" acoustic guitar, dobro, acoustic bass, harmonica, squeeze box, washboard, kazoo, spoons, tambourine, triangle, train whistle, shakers and vocals.
Bio: The Bonedaddys is L.A.'s original 8-piece World-Beat dance band; playing a lively and rhythmic musical gumbo of African, Caribbean, & New Orleans-influenced American Pop/Rock that Rolling Stone magazine describes as "designed to set pelvises gyrating."
Instrumentation: 2 Guitars, bass, drums, 2 saxophones, percussion, and vocals with possible guest vocalists and instrumentalists.
Bio: The Bricks create and perform music that combines a mix of rock, soul, hip-hop, jazz and roots music. Crafting music from real life experiences that today’s youth face daily, The Bricks use their songs to speak to their generation about social issues, including racism, homophobia, sexism and promoting acceptance for everyone.
Bio: The world's only all female tribute to rock band Cheap Trick turns mere imitation into delightful interpretation. Active players in the local music scene, Cheap Chick has been written up in the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Magazine and the L.A. Weekly among others.
Instrumentation: Lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass, drums and vocals.
Bio: Christopher Hawley is a singer/songwriter with roots in soul music. His music blends multiple guitar styles with thoughtful lyrics and danceable melodies. The music lends itself to improvisation, and the seasoned players in the Christopher Hawley Rollers find new ways to play the compositions at each performance.
Bio: Victor Cisneros & Alteza is a Latin pop group that combines groove-based rhythms with a "Chicago jazz-like" horn section. They perform original compositions in both English and Spanish.
Instrumentation: Saxophone, guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, vocals and Latin percussion.
Number of musicians: 4-6 Additional Equipment Available: P.A. system
Bio: Formed by Dawn Laureen in 2000, this energetic female-fronted melodic pop-punk band entertains with clever, thoughtful lyrics and relevant pop music hooks. These musicians shred sound on their instruments and attract a fun-loving crowd.
Instrumentation: Guitar, bass, drums and vocals. Can add an additional guitar or bass.
Bio: George Sarah and his band are a mix of traditional chamber/chorale music and Electronica, featuring both a choir and string quartet. A regular on L.A. radio stations, Sarah has also performed at venues such as UCLA's Royce Hall and The Getty. The ensemble has performed an original score live to the silent Franch Classic 'La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc'.
Bio: Originally formed to play for California beach parties, the Hodads have encompassed themes such as Blues Brothers, Motown revue, 50's sock hop, 70's disco, and others. The Hodads incorporate colorful costumes, celebrity impersonations, choreography and audience interaction in their performances.
Instrumentation: Drums, guitar, piano, bass, saxophone and vocals. Larger group options: up to 6 horns (trumpets, trombone and saxophones), 4 violins and additional vocals.
Number of musicians: 5-18 Additional Equipment Available: P.A. system
Bio: Tony Jones is a jazz singer/percussionist whose repertoire includes vocal impersonations. His signature imitation is of Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong. His band reinterprets classic 60's tunes, standard jazz and well known classics.
Instrumentation: Drums, bass, piano, guitar, saxophone, and vocals/percussion.
Number of musicians: 4-6 Additional Equipment Available: P.A. system
Bio: The JD Hall Band is a high energy live dance band playing the best Top 40 R&B, Rock and Roll, and Old School music dating from the 50s to the present. Their interactive performances are fit to entertain audiences of all ages.
Instrumentation: Keys, Drums, Guitar, Bass, Horns
Number of Musicians: 4 – 9 Additional Equipment: P.A. System
Bio: The Los Angeles Electric 8 showcases the variety of rich sounds made by electric guitars and vacuum-tube amplifiers. They draw from and adapt a variety of art music including organ works, string arrangements, wind ensembles and Indonesian gamelan pieces. The effect is an exploration of the potential of the electric guitar with nods to the rock characteristics of the instrument.
Instrumentation: Electric Guitars, Tube Amplifiers
Number of Musicians: 8 Additional Equipment: P.A. System
Bio: Marina V is a Russian-born singer/songwriter and pianist influenced by the Beatles and Tchaikovsky. She sings her original adult contemporary pop/rock songs in English, plus usually performs one or two songs in Russian.
Instrumentation: Vocals, piano (digital keyboard), acoustic guitar, and cello. Optional: Marina can play a few of her songs to programmed drum loops.
Number of musicians: 1-3 Additional Equipment Available: P.A. system
Bio: The band members of FeM*ZeppeLiN have a serious and strong passion for all the music of Led Zeppelin. They have studied the most popular recordings, as well as the 'live', spontaneous, and more obscure versions of the music. Those avid listeners of Zeppelin are sure to greatly enjoy some of the more improvisational versions of their music that FeM*ZeppeLiN perform.
Bio: Mother Jones is a dynamic rock band from Los Angeles. Formed in 2002, their originals bring rock, blues, Motown, country, reggae, Latin and jazz elements together to create a sound that connects with everyone.
Instrumentation: Drums, bass, keyboards, 2 guitars, and vocals.
Number of musicians: 5-6 Additional Equipment Available: P.A. system
Bio: Ninja Academy is an instrumental rock duo consisting of Indo-Ninja on bass and Outdo-Ninja on drums. They have performed at almost every club in Los Angeles, including Spaceland, The Echo, Safari Sam’s, The Viper Room, The Roxy, and The Whiskey. In 2008, Ninja Academy was awarded the ‘Hear in L.A.’ prize for original composition, by the City of Los Angeles’ Department of Cultural Affairs and the Center for Cultural Innovation.
Bio: The Quintessential Winds are a group of young professional musicians dedicated to expanding the traditional woodwind quintet repertoire by commissioning new works and expanding into other genres such as Latin, jazz, blues, classic rock, and popular standards. The quintet is also dedicated to reaching new audiences by playing in non-traditional venues, giving educational concerts to all ages, and encouaging and inspiring young musicians to get involved in chamber music.
Bio: Meet L.A.'s most hyper-eclectic ensemble: 25 daring studio musicians, whose mission is to boldly go where no orchestra has gone before. These musical argonauts blend classical music, rock, jazz, hip-hop, and just about every other musical style, often enhancing their performance with an assortment of dancers, acrobats, pulp novel narrations, surprise guests and more. "The arrangements are nothing short of amazing." (Air Music); "a real hoot" (L.A. Times); "one of LA's top unsigned acts"(Music Connection Magazine); Winner! "Best Rock Opera of the Year" (L.A. Music Awards).
Instrumentation: 3 Vocals, 3 woodwinds all doublers (piccolo; flute; clarinet; bass clarinet; alto, tenor, & baritone sax), 2 French horns, 2 trumpets, 1 trombone, 1 tuba, 1 guitar electric & acoustic (doubles, mandolin, sitar, pipa, banjo), 1 keyboards, 1 electric bass, 2 percussionist, (vibraphone, Marimba, xylophone, Timpani, wide array of ethnic and hand percussion), 1 drum set, 2-8 violins, 1-4 violas, 1-3 celli, and 1 upright bass.
Number of musicians: 10-35 Additional Equipment Available: P.A. system
Bio: Sgt. Pepper performs a tribute to the Beatles and other British Invasion artists, including the Yardbirds, the Hollies, the Kinks, the Rolling Stones, Gerry & the Pacemakers and Rod Stewart. No gimmicks or costumes, just the music.
Instrumentation: Electric Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Drums, Vocals
Number of Musicians: 4 Additional Equipment Available: P.A. system
Bio: Brandon Salaam Bailey leads the group STIX, a high energy hip hop band based in Watts. Influenced by the rhythm and stylings of popular rap artists Kanye West, B.O.B., and Will Smith, STIX performs upbeat and positive hip hop music appropriate for all audiences.
Instrumentation: Vocals, Drums, Bass guitar, Lead Guitar, Keyboard, DJ
Number of Musicians: 3-6 Additional Equipment Available: P.A. system
Bio: String Theory Productions is a collaborative performance ensemble dedicated to creating multi-media innovative work. By combining music, movement, and sculptural long-string installations, each performance becomes a site specific visual soundtrack.
Instrumentation: Long-string sculptural installations, cello, guitar, electric bass, French horn, trumpet, percussion and vocals.
Bio: Tin Drum features musicians from such bands as Ambrosia, Jimmy Buffett, James Taylor, and Pat Benatar. Their blend of pop/rock with blues and worldbeat influences has led to nominations and acknowledgements for their independently released CDs, including CD of the Year in 2003 from Kweevak.com
Bio: The UnderCoverGirls are an all-girl classic rock/pop cover band. Providing high-energy renditions of favorite classic rock songs, these ladies sing, dance and rock their way through the last four decades of popular rock 'n' roll.
Instrumentation: Keyboards, guitar, bass, drums and percussion.
Number of musicians: 5 Additional Equipment Available: P.A. system
Bio: 2002 Billboard Song Contest Winner, Sean Wiggins, combines strong bluesy vocals with slide guitar and the country-rock back beat of her band. "Her style is similar to that of Sheryl Crow and Jewel, and her heartwarming storytelling gift and expressive voice are Wiggins' keys to success, never predictable or boring." (Music Connection Magazine)
Instrumentation: Acoustic guitar and vocals, electric & slide guitar, bass and drums.
Number of musicians: 1-4 Additional Equipment Available: P.A. system
Bio: This acoustic trio performs original songs in three part harmony. Accompanied by guitar, djembe drum, shakers, and dulcimer or mandolin, the music is of various styles including soft rock, blues, modern folk and country.
Instrumentation: Vocals, Guitar, Percussion
Number of Musicians: 1 - 3 Additional Equipment: P.A. System
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