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This
eclectic Jersey City based group is the brain child of lead singer
and flutist Stefanie Seskin, recipient of ASCAP's 2001, 2002 &
2003 ASCAPLU$ songwriter award in the "Popular" category..
"I put the band together mainly because I wanted a core of fellow
nut cases who I could play with on a regular basis," she said.
"We're all really different people from various musical and cultural
backgrounds, but when we play together the vibe on stage is electric."
blue number nine, formed at the end of 1995, is the largest project
of this music maker since childhood, whose own blood-line of professional
artists includes her grandfather, Fred Skerritt. Skerritt played with
some of jazz's greats during his time with Machito's Afro Cuban Orchestra
in the 1940's and his love of a strong rhythm layered with the melodic
flavor of many cultures is a foundation strongly infused in his granddaughter.
Seskin's strong stage presence is due not only to years of playing
music, but also to her dance training and natural athletic ability
- and lest anyone think Stefanie is solely a creature of music and
movement, she also holds a Master's Degree in Communications. This
combination of the aesthetic and the intellectual makes her a dynamic
songwriter, creating music that you can think about and dance to.
Marco Accattatis covers the bass guitar. Marco moved to the US from
Italy to study music and has since performed on various projects covering
a broad range of styles - jazz, fusion, funk, rock, dance, caribbean,
r&b, soul, pop, and bluegrass. Currently, he plays with several
other groups, teaches private students and was also performer/composer
in residence for the NYU New Music Ensemble at New York University.
Guitarist Luca Tozzi, also originally from Italy, was recently asked
to join blue number nine after he added his creative and expressive
guitar work to tracks on the band's upcoming CD. He began formal music
training at age 16 and has since lived and peformed professionally
with many different artists in Rome, Italy, London and now, New York
City. His experience ranges from jazz to blues to funk to rock and
more. He has won many awards from Berkless summer clinics, the Eddie
Lang jazz festival and others.
The final ingredient in the core of the rhythm section is Jack M.
Gourdine II, a drummer since the age of 13. An army brat raised in
Okinawa, Gourdine spent his teens playing NCO clubs - a tough proving-ground
for a young musician. His professional experiences range from marching
bands to orchestras to soul and R&B groups - his range provides
the group with the rock-solid foundation that only a seasoned drummer
can provide.
In the vocals department, blue number nine also boasts diverse and
talented women who round off the group's sound with tight vocal harmonies.
Nedge Guercin, from California, and Morgan Rose Fite, from PA, both
studied jazz in college. Their expertise and strong vocals as well
as their energetic dance make the band's live show unique. Also sitting
in with bn9 at select gigs is percussionist and vocalist Joel Hirsch.
With a wealth of experience and complete knowledge of all percussion
instruments, Joel adds yet another dimension to the funky sound.
The Random Horns are Jenny Hill on sax, Rob Susman on trombone and
Nabate Isles on trumpet. Their musical credits would require a seperate
website; If you click on their any of their names, you will go to
a new website, in fact!
Blue Number Nine is a unique blend of musicians and musical styles,
flavored with intelligence and expertise, given to aural flight but
never far from the beat. Their high energy performances and fresh
funk grooves draw an audience into a special musical world of sound,
movement and joy. |
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