Synchronicity Strings is one of today’s most sought after music ensembles in Northern California. Since 2005 they have been delighting audiences with their energetic, stylish performances at corporate and social events in San Francisco, Napa, Sonoma, Livermore, San Jose and beyond. The collective ensemble brings together the Bay Area’s finest string players managed and led by the cellist Rachel Turner Houk. Members of the ensemble regularly perform with SF Opera, SF Symphony, Santa Rosa Symphony and New Century Chamber Orchestra. Synchronicity Strings players are all highly experienced, professional musicians and accomplished chamber musicians.
Dave Kim is the first five string electric violinist to perform in the San Francisco nightclub dance scene since his arrival to the Bay in 1999. Born in Montana to Korean parents and raised in Reno/ Tahoe, Dave started playing the violin and piano at the age of four. Classical music has always been a part of Dave’s life as his mother was a concert pianist. Dave’s father was the warden and forced him to practice four hours a day when he turned ten. When Dave received his first cassette recorder, he would record the first two hours of practice, and then play it back freeing him up to gain two hours of his life back every day as he mentions in his presentation on TEDxSF. As long as his parents heard music, they would not disrupt him. He never got caught. This process actually made him become a better musician and was the start of him becoming a one man band and symphony with looping technology.
With an international sound, Jay creates an enchanting ambiance. Styles range from classical standards to his own compositions of unique spanish & jazz guitar as well as traditional wedding ceremony music. He also specializes in upbeat cocktail reception music to create a lively atmosphere. Jay is one of the most sought after Spanish guitarists in the San Francisco Bay Area for weddings, wineries, corporate events and private parties.
The Eloquence Quartet was formed when long time friends Peggy Brady and Beth Heid wanted the opportunity to play string quartets more often and to explore a wider range of repertoire. They invited cellist Gywneth Davis and violinist Rachelle Davis to join them. Peggy began collecting interesting quartet arrangements on her trips to Munich and Vienna, also finding a few gems on the internet. She has assembled one of the most diverse and beautiful repertoire collections of any Bay Area string quartet and has organized the songs according to genre so that they can be easily accessed on the job when special requests are made. Since its formation, the Eloquence Quartet, Trio and Duo have become a familiar attraction at the most beautiful venues in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. They are in high demand for their professionalism, flexibility and enthusiasm on the job. The members of the Eloquence Quartet love to make music together, and have chosen to play together because of their stylistic affinities. Words often used to describe their sound are “rich, warm and elegant”
The Bellarosa String Quartet was founded in 1997 with the idea of providing a high calibre of music for weddings and other events throughout Northern California and specifically the beautiful Sonoma & Napa Valley. Music provokes emotions, a sense of nostalgia, and can create the perfect ambiance for special events. Whether dreaming up a fairy-tale wedding or planning the ultimate dinner party, the music of a live string quartet, trio, duo, or solo instrument adds a touch of elegance and sophistication.
From softly swinging “dinner jazz” to vibrant dance and concert performances, guitarist Carl Vast delights audiences throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Wine Country. As a soloist or with his diverse groups, Carl’s distinctive style and rich repertoire bring memorable music to each event.
Groups:
• The BBC Jazz Trio (sax, bass and guitar) plays mainstream jazz, Bossa Nova and swing, emphasizing intuitive ensemble music.
Since 1984, the Trio (Bob Drew, Bill Fouty and Carl Vast) has continued to define its style and expand its repertoire.
• The Carl Vast Quartet (guitar, sax, bass
and drums) engages concert audiences with compelling presentations of jazz heritage. For social or corporate events, the Quartet also offers dance grooves and background jazz.
• Bel Canto (flute or viola with guitar and bass)
performs a wide range of popular, jazz, ethnic and classical themes as background or featured music. By adding saxophone, the trio becomes a quartet delivering eloquent harmonies and great versatility.
THE COMBO:
Our repertoire is musically diverse. In addition to performing many American Jazz Standards (Swing, Bossa Nova, Ballads), we also perform French & Italian favorites that have been popularized by Frank Sinatra, Michael Bublé, Bobby Darin, Tony Bennett, Diana Krall, and Dean Martin among others. This is an especially flexible and elegant configuration that features 1-8 musicians, and may be performed with or without vocals. Size of the band, music style and attire can be customized to fit your budget and party theme.
FLASHBACK:
Flashback is a 6 piece band performing timeless Jazz Standards and favorite dance hits from the 20s through the late 70s that audiences around the world enjoy! The band size can be increased to a 9 piece band by adding our 3 horn section (trumpet+sax/clarinet+sax/flute) Laurent brings his crooning, smooth vocals to these standards made famous by artists such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, Nat King Cole, and more recently Michael Buble. He will have you twisting and shouting with some Rock’n’Roll, Classic Rock, Pop and Disco hits! Joyce brings her sultry voice, charming personality to not only the Jazz Standards, but also to the Motown/Soul/R&B, Rock and Disco repertoire. The rhythm section includes Doug on the piano, bass player Tom, versatile guitar player Mark, and the incredible Bill on drums; some of the best musicians in the Bay Area. Flashback covers hits from 1920 through late 70s which includes swing/jump swing. bossa nova, early rock’n’roll, classic rock, pop, blues, motown, soul, old school R&B, funk, disco and a lil bit of country. Ageless, passionate performances of the immediately recognizable vintage/retro favorites guaranteed to please any audience!
San Francisco based singer-songwriter Bobby Jo Valentine has received numerous recognitions for his work, including designation of Songwriter ofthe Year by the West Coast Songwriter’s Association, radio appearances on KGO, KSVY and KRSH, and television spots including ABC’s The Morning Blend, Sac and Company, and NBC’s Outlook Video. Although his albums have garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews, more noteworthy are the responses to his honest, raw, resonating live performances. Dubbed “the nicest guy ever to pick up an acoustic guitar” by LA Weekly, his unique brand of hopeful folk/pop has also recently been featured in a commercial for the 2013 Ford Fusion.
“If Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson, and Regina Spektor were to combine forces, you would have Bobby Jo Valentine. Soulful and uplifting, soothing and calming, Valentine’s music is the perfect blend of indie and modern pop/rock. Often times it is quite difficult to switch from genre to genre or to switch styles and tones, but Bobby Jo Valentine does so with ease. His voice is passionate and beautiful, using his soothing ways to demonstrate his musicality and versatility. His musicality separates himself from any other artist out there presently.”
