Quartet
& Trio
This quartet is a versatile, highly professional group of musicians. Using the classic format of the piano/guitar quartet, (piano or keyboard, guitar, bass and drums), this group has a stylish ambiance that will please your most discriminating guests. As the piano player is also the lead singer, vocals can be added or omitted depending on the occasion. As a jazz or light rock combo, they perform for elegant celebrations of all kinds; gallery openings, winery festivals, weddings, cocktail parties and receptions.
But in the blink of an eye this same group of musicians can turn into a kick-off-your-shoes rock 'n roll / rhythm & blues band. Their song list ranges from Sheryl Crow to Stevie Ray Vaughn to Patsy Cline to the swing tunes of Glenn Miller. Years spent playing the club scene as the rhythm section for various blues, country and rock bands has produced a group of musicians that know each other inside out and can turn on a dime!
Personnel:
Susy Wolfson (lead vocal, piano):
Although Susy Wolfson grew up in Oregon, she spent years living
in places like Nigeria, New Zealand, England and Tennessee. Perhaps
this accounts for an insatiable appetite for diverse musical styles.
She is at her happiest when she can stroll through a Brazilian bossa,
move on to an Ellington swing tune, possibly divert to Klezmer music,
and then leap into the screaming guitar solo of a ZZ Top tune. See Solo
Piano page for more complete bio.
Leroy Critcher (guitar): Born and raised in Oklahoma City, when Leroy blazes on a blues or southern rock solo, it's the real thing… He has been playing professionally since the age of sixteen and has spent many years performing as a jazz and avante-garde player. He also has many recording, film and theater scoring credits to his name. See Guitar Solo and Duo page for more complete bio.
Jon Hughes (bass): Jon's a native Portlander, graduating from the Jefferson School for the Performing Arts and the Mt. Hood College jazz program. He has performed at the Mt. Hood Jazz Festival numerous times and freelances with groups such as Pepe & the Bottle Blondes, Janice Scroggins and Bobby Torres.
Joe Janiga (drums): Joe’s infectious and imaginative playing reflects his eclectic interests. After studying percussion in Brazil, he returned to his native Portland where he currently he performs everything from African and Modern Dance accompaniment to freelance blues, R&B, and jazz. Credits include drummer/composer for Do Jump Dance Theater and percussionist/drummer for Peruvian guitarist Alfredo Muro.
