PORTLAND,
OR. (www.aboukarimrestaurant.com) "Underwood Uncurling", is the debut
CD of jazz bassist and vocalist
Belinda Underwood. Born to jazz
musicians Don and Serena Underwood,
Belinda was exposed to jazz from
inception. "Underwood Uncurling" features a seasoned newcomer that can
scat like an accomplished jazz vocalist twice her age. Don't let her
age fool you. Her mind, body and soul have continuously been learning
the language of jazz from the beginning. Her mother took her to gigs 5
nights a week so she could feed
Belinda in between sets. While nestled
in her car seat under the piano
Belinda began her journey in jazz.
On
"Underwood Uncurling",
Belinda showcases her ability to draw you in
with raw, unfiltered feelings, hypnotic vocals and frank emotional
lyrics. At a vibrant 28,
Belinda is also a highly accomplished upright
bassist. Her precision and improvisation as a bassist carries over into
her vocal phrasing and delivery, adding up to the full package as a
jazz musician.
Join
Belinda Underwood and her all-star cast of jazz musicians this Friday at:
Venue: Abou Karim Restaurant
Location: 221 SW Pine Street, Portland OR. 97204
Time: 8:30 pm
Venue Info:
www.aboukarimrestaurant.comVenue Email: e-mail protected from spam bots
Tel: 503.223.5058
Tickets: Free Show
Biography on Players: Randy Porter, Phil Baker,
Martin Zarzar
Randy
Porter (Piano): A native of San Diego, Randy was musically influenced
early on by classical guitar played by his older brother and cousin.
Formal music education started in high school for Randy before going on
to Humboldt
State University and New England Conservatory, where he
studied with Jaki Baird and Fred Hersch. Upon his return to the West
Coast, Randy married & settled for a time in the San
Diego area
where he became house pianist at the main jazz venue in town, backing
up many notable headliners such as Anita O'Day, Art Farmer, Harold
Land, and Clifford Jordan.
In 1990, Randy journeyed to the
Pacific Northwest along with his wife Cindy to live in Portland, OR and
raise a family. Over the years, Randy has established himself as one of
the most respected jazzmen on the West Coast. He has won numerous
awards, played on dozens of recordings with jazz luminaries, and toured
nationally and internationally with the likes of Charles McPherson,
Dianne Shuur, & Freddie Hubbard. Randy has been a successful
teacher as well, (his students include Downbeat Magazine's Best High
School Jazz instrumentalist and Oregon's All-State classical piano
competition winner). Randy also owns and operates a recording studio as
well as co-founding HeavyWood Music.
Martin Zarzar (drums):
was born in Lima, Peru. He began to study drum-set and hand percussion
at age thirteen, and his professional music career began at age fifteen
in Portland, OR when he met the group Al Andalus, with whom he
traveled, performed, and recorded. In 1996 he was awarded a scholarship
to Berklee College of
Music in Boston, MA, and he now holds a Magna Cum
Laude Bachelor's Degree in Drum-Set Performance. He has traveled as a
performer to Europe, Canada, South America, and within the United
States, performing alongside
Simon Shahin, Jamey Haddad, and Pink
Martini, among others.
Phil Baker (bass): toured with Diana Ross
for nine years and appeared with her on "The
Tonight Show" and for her
legendary concert "Diana Ross - Live At Central Park." He has also
performed with jazz legends Eddie Harris, Joe Henderson, Bobby
Hutcherson,
Sonny Stitt,
Diane Schuur and Ernie Watts; and at "Motown
25" with Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson,
Marvin Gaye and Linda
Ronstadt. He toured with Gino Vannelli and played on his "Yonder Tree"
CD. Recently he has appeared with Nat Adderley, Scott Hamilton and Joe
Lovano. Having appeared on literally hundreds of jazz, rock, pop and
blues albums, Baker is one of the West Coast's premiere bass players.
He is now playing with Pink Martini.
