OJC presents Smoocho Gusto Quartet. Well Known as a duo (Steve Luceno, guitar / Lorree Gardener, string bass), the group will be expanded to a quartet by the addition of Ken Schneider (drum kit) and Barry Caldwell (trumpet & flugelhorn). They will be performing two sets of original music by Steve Luceno. The inspiration for these tunes is a love for (any) dance rhythms, (all) blues, and lyricism. The music imbibes tropical sounds, funky beats, and swing. Smoocho Gusto is the kiss you want to hear; you can dance your dance to this.
Barry Caldwell (trumpet & flugelhorn) is currently an assistant director of the South Puget Sound Community College big band. He is a highly regarded “sideman” in many bands in the Olympia community. Having earned a degree in performance from the Berklee College of Music, he then devoted 12 years to the US Air Force where he played in and led “A” bands. Barry has an unusually beautiful tone that combines well with his fiery, swinging phrasing.
Lorree Gardener has been active in the Olympia music scene since the 1970’s as the bassist for GILA, BEVY, Chickadee, Olympia Sacred Jazz, and Choro Tomorrow, and of course, Smoocho Gusto (duo), From an early start in church performance to an eclectic career with various combos and styles, she now “jazzes it up” her own way.
Ken Schnell began playing drums at 12 years old and eventually earned his minor in percussion performance at Portland State University in 1994, He has played in orchestral, big band, small combo jazz, rock, and blues bands in the Portland, OR area since 1987. Some of the groups he has played with include Ellen Whyte & Reflex Blue, K.G. Jackson & Shakin’ Ground, Ennis in Theory, The Feppo Brothers, Jon Koonce and the Aaron Black Band. Ken has shared the stage with Paul DeLay, Duffy Bishop and Jim Mesi while immersed in the Portland Blues Scene. He plays hand percussion with a Hawaiian inspired group called Guava Jam and drum set with a blues/rock band, The Pleasure Hounds. Ken’s drumming provides solid time keeping and excellent dynamics, making him so valuable to this band. Ken works at Providence/Swedish as a neurological physical therapist.
Steve Luceno is a guitarist (and bass player) who has been a member of many jazz, R&B, swing, and Caribbean music bands (Obrador, Ocho Pies, Bert Wilson’s bands :Rebirth and Be-Bop Revisited, Maia Santell’s House Blend to name a few). Steve is steeped in many styles, and plays with an infectious “quiet fire”. In 2002 and 2004 he released four CD’s of original music. On March 09 the quartet will be presenting mostly “newer” pieces.
7:00pm - 9:30pm
Cover Charge $15- 30
no one turned away for lack of funds.
All ages until 9pm
Eagles is members and guests club- so hit "going" to be our guest. VISITORS WELCOME!
If you have a question about the concert, please post it here or email
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About Olympia Jazz Central
The Olympia Jazz Central mission is to sustain and support South Sound Jazz events such as concerts, education/workshops, artist collaboration and more. OJC also sponsors a youth scholarship program. We've been connecting musicians with audiences, teachers with students and just gettin' in the groove together since 2009. Olympia Jazz Central is a 501C3. We are 100% volunteer operated and we rely on donations to keep the jazz train chuggin' along.
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