Synergia Northwest 2011 Performers

Check back for Synergia Northwest 2012 updates!


Queensrÿche
Seattle's progressive Queensrÿche backed by the 45 piece Synergia Northwest Orchestra joined the stellar 2011 Synergia Northwest line-up Friday May 6 at the Moore Theatre in Seattle to support youth music education. "They are a perfect fit" said musician and show producer Michael McMorrow. "Their music has resonated for a couple generations of music fans here in the northwest and world-wide and of course lends itself to symphonic components beautifully, and most importantly, they get it. They totally understand the tremendous need to support youth music education programs. They know where they come from."

Queensrÿche has been successful in the progressive scene, having sold over 20 million albums worldwide including over 6 million albums in the United States. The band has released eleven studio albums and several EPs and DVDs including Operation: Mindcrime. Its follow-up, Empire, was the group's biggest success, due to the hit single "Silent Lucidity." The band continues to tour and record. As of August 25, 2010 Queensrÿche signed with Roadrunner/Loud & Proud Records tentatively for a spring 2011 album release. This will be the band's 12th studio album.

On June 28, 2011, the band has released Dedicated to Chaos. The band is currently touring in support of the new opus, which was recorded in the group's hometown of Seattle, Washington and produced by Kelly Gray.

Queensrÿche is:
Geoff Tate – lead vocals, keyboards, saxophone
Michael Wilton – lead, rhythm & acoustic guitars, backing vocals
Eddie Jackson – bass, backing vocals
Scott Rockenfield – drums, percussion, keyboards
www.queensryche.com/



Alan White and WHITE
Grammy Award-winning musical legend White, who makes his home in Seattle along with his wife Gigi, is best known for his thirty-four years of work with the progressive rock band Yes. Alan's work with Yes spans decades and can be heard on dozens of smashes like "Owner of a Lonely Heart," "Roundabout," "I've Seen All Good People," and "Leave It." In all, White has appeared on over fifty albums with artists from John Lennon and George Harrison to Joe Cocker, Ginger Baker and The Ventures. White has now formed the band WHITE and original members include bassist/vocalist Steve Boyce (Merkaba, Two Shed Jackson), and guitarist Karl Haug (Treason), will be joined by new members, vocalist Robyn Dawn (Parallels, Ajalon, Supernaughty), and keyboardist Jonathan Sindelman (Parallels, Ajolan) in a reprise of their performance at Synergia 2010. Supporting the band will be percussionist Reek Havok (work ranging from The Pointer Sisters to Motley Crue). www.alanwhite.net



Heart by Heart
Steve Fossen is one of the founding members and the original bass player for Heart. His work on the albums, “Dreamboat Annie”, “Little Queen”, “Magazine”, “Dog & Butterfly”, and Bebe la Strange” as well as several greatest hits and compilations has been a staple of radio since their releases, selling 10’s of millions of albums and CD’s. Somar Macek, renowned Northwest vocalist, has gained a reputation for delivering powerful, moving renditions of every song she sings. Somar has sung at all stages of her life and has a passion for excellence. Steve and Somar joined forces in 2009 to become what they call “Heart by Heart”, captivating audiences whenever they perform. Together, they have created their own vocal and electric bass versions of the classic Heart hits and will bring their unique talents to the 2011 Synergia Northwest concert accompanied by the Synergia orchestra. In addition, Somar and Steve are working on a musical project featuring other original Heart members, guitarist Howard Leese, drummer Mike Derosier, and LA songwriter/ singer Lisa Nemzo.



Shawn Smith of Brad
Shawn Smith is a Seattle-based vocalist and musician in several bands (Brad, Satchel, Pigeonhed) as well as a solo artist and songwriter. Citing his early influences as Freddie Mercury, Prince and KISS, he also notes Steven Tyler, Bon Scott, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, Andy Wood and Chris Cornell as inspiration. While widely varied, it is fascinating and easy to hear the impact of all of these performers in Smith's various projects. His current musical projects include Brad, a rock band that formed in Seattle with music reflecting the variety of its members, including Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam, Regan Hagar (Satchel and formerly a member of Malfunkshun), Jeremy Toback and Smith whose distinctive vocals are a major factor in delivering its sound. Brad's fourth studio album, entitled Best Friends?, was released August 2010 via Pearl Jam’s Monkeywrench Records label.
www.shawnsmithsinger.com
www.bradcorporation.com/



Tennis Pro
Tennis Pro is from Seattle whose music has been described as Indie Power-Pop. Melody and Anarchy. The band consists of: Sean Lowry (drums), David Drury (guitar/vocals), and Phillip Peterson (bass/vocals). In October 2010, Tennis Pro joined forces with filmmaker John Jeffcoat (Outsourced, $5 Cover) and put a call out to its fan base, raising over 11 thousand dollars in 21 days on kickstarter.com to launch production of “Big in Japan", a movie chronicling the band’s journey from Seattle, Washington to Tokyo, Japan. Tennis Pro wrote and recorded a new record SHIMOKITA IS DEAD? (its fourth full-length offering). Recorded at Two Sticks Audio and The House of Breaking Glass and produced by Don Gunn, the album is slated for a May 2011 release. Steve Fisk, ( Nirvana, The Posies, Screaming Trees, Soundgarden, Harvey Danger) mixed several tracks, as well Greg Williamson (Sunny Day Real Estate) and Gunn. The band will launch its first tour of 2011 in Japan which will be the band's second tour of the country. www.tennispromusic.net



The Seattle Seahawk Blue Thunder Drumline
Triumphantly returning to Synergia Northwest 2011, Seahawks Blue Thunder is the heartbeat of the fans. This high-energy entertainment drumline was established in 2004 at Qwest Field, performing throughout the stadium before, during and after games. Not your typical drumline, Blue Thunder uses a variety of rhythms and visuals, incorporating rock and roll drumming alongside drum corps style, endearing them to Seahawks fans of all ages.



Seattle Kokon Taiko
Seattle Kokon Taiko is a performing arts group based in the local Japanese American community. SKT traces its roots to the Seattle Taiko Group, which formed in April 1980 following a dynamic performance by Ondekoza at the Seattle Cherry Blossom Festival. In 1987, three members left STG to form Kokon Taiko Ensemble and focus on smaller, more musical performance pieces. In 1992, these two groups merged to form Seattle Kokon Taiko. Teachers and influences include: Seiichi Tanaka, San Jose Taiko, Kinnara Taiko, Katari Taiko, Uzume Taiko, Kenny Endo and Kodo. Over the years, SKT has performed in concerts, programs and festivals throughout Washington and Oregon. Taiko is a dynamic synthesis of rhythm, movement and spirit originating in Japan and evolving as a folk art over the last several hundred years. Seattle Kokon Taiko combines the ancient with the modern in a mix of traditional pieces and contemporary compositions. Through taiko, the group contributes to the development of a uniquely Japanese American art form—Japanese in origin, American in expression—that weaves threads of continuity between generations and builds bridges of understanding among people of all nationalities and walks of life. www.seattlekokontaiko.org/



Synergia Northwest 2011 Special Guests

John Popper of Blues Traveler
John Popper is the frontman of rock band Blues Traveler performing harmonica, guitar and vocals. He is widely considered a harmonica virtuoso, and is listed by harmonica manufacturer Hohner as a "Featured Artist", an accolade reserved for only the best and most successful harmonica players.

His band Blues Traveler had breakout and mainstream success with their fourth album, titled four which was released in late 1994. The catchy pop single "Run-Around" became a popular hit and was followed by the snappy number, "Hook". "Run-Around" won a Grammy Award and broke a record for most weeks on the chart.

The charismatic and witty Popper is also most known for his legendary live performances and a fan base that has followed the vocalist / harmonica virtuoso and the band with an almost religious fervor. The band will be on tour this summer. Blues Traveler's next album is due out in 2012 as the band kicks off its 25th anniversary tour.



Brendan Hill of Blues Traveler
Drummer Brendan Hill is one of the original members of Blues Traveler. In 1983, while attending Princeton High School in the Borough of Princeton, New Jersey, Hill met harmonica player John Popper and together they formed the predecessor to Blues Traveler, Blues Band, and began playing with guitarist Chan Kinchla and bassist Bobby Sheehen. The musicians moved to New York City after graduating, and Blues Traveler quickly earned a local reputation for its high-energy, heavily improvisational live show with Popper’s soulful singing and flamboyant harp-blowing matched by Kinchla’s inventive combustible guitar work and the rhythm section’s propulsive punch. Blues Traveler went on to make its mark in American rock history as a forerunner of the Jam Band movement with eight studio album, four live discs - six of which certified Gold or Platinum — and a combined worldwide sales of more than ten million units. The band’s best-known single, “Run-Around,” was the longest-charting radio single in Billboard history. And along the way, the band has played more than 2000 live shows in front of more than three million people.



Roger Fisher
In 1965 Roger Fisher began laying the foundation for his own style of guitar playing. Designing instruments, playing guitar with a violin bow and generally being willing to try anything to produce interesting, unique music was his passion.

As founding guitarist of the rock group Heart, these adventurous energies made themselves globally known through the sales of more than fifteen million albums. Heart rose to fame following the release of their debut album, Dreamboat Annie, in 1976. Follow-up albums Little Queen, Magazine, and Dog and Butterfly also sold well. Following the release of the Dog and Butterfly album. In February 1980, Roger Fisher left the group.

Since 1968, Roger has toured North America repeatedly, playing in all but two of the fifty states, playing in all but two of the provinces. He has been on television shows that broadcast for more than 60 million people in Europe, played the biggest shows in Japan's and Canada's histories, performed for as many as three hundred thousand people at a single rock show. He has toured Japan, Australia and the USSR in addition to North America and Europe. Fisher continues his musical career. He has recorded a number of solo records and has collaborated with many musicians in the Pacific Northwest.


Geoffrey Castle
Geoffrey Castle is a pioneer on the electric six-string violin. From his beginnings as a street musician in New York City and Paris, he rose to play in the Tony Award winning Broadway production of M. Butterfly. With several critically acclaimed releases on his own Twisted Fiddle Music label. Geoffrey Castle has also managed to share stages with an illustrious group of musicians including Blues Traveler, all of the original and current members of Heart, Buddy Miles, and Alan White of Yes. White recently tapped Castle to be a member of the All-Star group the White Sox with Bernt Bodal. Castle's fresh approach to Celtic music is most evident on his latest release Streets of Inwood: Celtic Soul bringing a more urban, smooth, and bluesy approach to traditional Celtic material. In keeping with the theme of changing the public's perception of what is possible on the violin, Castle has long been an advocate of community outreach and school performances, inspiring the next generation.
www.geoffreycastle.com/



Scotty Olsen
Scott Olson is a guitarist, bassist, and recording engineer. He played
guitar with Heart 1995-1998 and 2002–2003, and in 1996 he performed with
Alice In Chains on their MTV Unplugged concert. He is currently working with
Seattle's London Bridge Studios, best known for their work on Pearl Jam's
Ten and Soundgarden's Badmotorfinger.





Student Spotlight
Nicole Coffen

I am a member of the Stadium High School concert band under the direction of David Mulkins, an ensemble which has been praised by judges at festivals as "one of the best high school bands on the west coast". I was a part of the large ensemble that claimed the state title at last year's Washington Music Educators Association State Solo and Ensemble contest at Central Washington University. I've also competed as a soloist at the state level.

In May of 2010 I was honored to be part of Synergia Northwest, playing in the newly formed Synergia Northwest Orchestra alongside professional and student musicians for a great cause; youth music education. I was not only performing with amazing classical musicians but the orchestra played alongside some of the top recording artists in the northwest including Alan White the drummer for Yes and John Lennon and 4 original members of Heart. Truly an amazing evening. The Synergia Northwest Orchestra was an experience I'll never forget. Making music with professionals and adults who should be my teachers really put this all into perspective. This was something that changed my life. Being on stage, under all the lights, after only a few rehearsals was a glimpse into how my future will be. Synergia Northwest was not only an amazing experience with even more amazing musicians but it helped me to seal my choice to pursue a career of performance in music. I went to an elementary school which happened to be on the lower end of the income spectrum, but that didn't mean we didn't love the arts. We loved our school plays and music classes.

This next fall I plan to attend a college to major in music performance on bassoon and minor in some form of business. I have a plan for my future, a goal. I want to form an orchestra that will cater to children who are blind, deaf or mute. I want them to experience music and for it to impact them strongly. I want them to feel the bass in their core, to be blown away (literally!) by the power of the brass, to be swept out of their chairs by the sweet singing of the strings and feel silly and giggle because of the bouncing, round woodwind notes. Music teaches so many life skills, and I'm so grateful for what I've gained thus far and so excited to see where it's going to take me for the rest of my life.