Amanda Olsavsky-vocals, dulcimer

Amanda's roots in music run deep and are heavily influenced by her family. At an early age of two, Amanda began singing on stage with her mother's family southern gospel group, and by high school was studying voice, competing in local festivals and national competitions.

Attending Towson University in Maryland, Amanda had the opportunity to study classical with Ah Hong from Peabody and jazz voice with Ruby Glover (Ruby has recently been recognized by the Smithsonian as a vocal staple in jazz). Upon Amanda's 2004 graduation with a double degree in English and Music, she had already performed and recorded with various regional and national musicians - including Lenny Williams, pianist of the late Eva Cassidy. Last summer, she was a semi-finalist at the Billie Holiday competition at Baltimore's renowned Artscape. Much of Amanda's music work is found in the church, where she has taught voice, arranged choir pieces, directed adult and children choirs, performed and recorded under the direction of Bob Kauflin. Outside of music and the arts, Amanda, a former 5th and 6th grade teacher, is a national school liaison and the headquarters administrator for the American Students' Fund, a non-profit, character education program.

Visit: www.myspace.com/amandajolsavsky

 

Chris Kennedy-guitar

Chris is a jazz guitar graduate from Towson University and is currently a staff composer at Clean Cuts Music. He has scored music for TV, radio, film, and video games. His music has appeared on the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, NBC, and the Weather Channel. He scored the independent film Charlie Obert's Barn and also wrote the theme music for WYPR's Maryland Morning. His score for The Last Ridge ran nationally on PBS. Chris has received awards from the Ad Club of Washington and the Songwriters' Association of Washington. In addition to playing with Never in Denver, he performs with Tami D'Mar and Sandy Asirvatham.

Visit: www.myspace.com/chriskennedymusic and www.reverbnation.com/chriskennedyandfriends

 

 

Nucleo Vega-drums, percussion

Shortly after graduating from the University of Maryland-College Park, Nucleo Vega received the First Year Secondary School Educator Award for Howard County Maryland 2004. He conducts concert bands and jazz services, and is a professional drummer in the Baltimore-D.C. metro area and Seattle, Washington.

Nuc began playing cello at the early age of 8 and picked up drums at the age of 10. Nucleo, partnering with Mel Bay, recently released his first book “Understanding Groove for Drumset” which has appeared in Jazz Times, Modern Drummer, Drum, and Drummer Magazine (U.K.) . In addition, Nucleo writes drum articles for Percussion Sessions E-Zine and plays djembe/percussion for Celtic-Jazz trio: Harp 46 placing 5 and 9 in the nation for World/New Age Music radio charts 2004-2005!

Nucleo’s concepts are inspired from world renown drummer and teacher Mike Shepherd (Maynard Ferguson, Navy Commodores; instructor of Hilary Jones-Tribal Tech). His musical influences include Elvin Jones, Dennis Chambers, Paul Motian and Ignacio Berrora.

Visit: www.understandinggroove.com

 

Posido Vega-bass, congas

Posido began his career as a musician at the age of 16 when he bought his first bass guitar. Within two weeks, Posido was playing professionally and gigging consistently in the Baltimore, DC/Meto, and the Northern Virginia scene.

During his career, Posido has performed on several Pop's concerts as Principal Bassist with The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, toured along the East Coast with the The Sandtown Children of Praise, performed rhythm guitar for the televised KBN Network Music Festival, and performed bass with celtic fusion band Harp 46 at Bumber Shoot, The Northwest Folk Life Festival, and Emergent Conferences.

Venues Posido has performed in, include The Myerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, RFK Stadium, Camden Yards, The Baltimore Harbor, Disney World, The Seattle Center, The Expreience Music Project/Liquid Lounge, Jazz Alley in Seattle, The Nashville Convention Center, and The Mall in Washington, DC for the Fourth of July.

Posido's significant musical influences derive from John Pattitucci, Avishai Cohen, Oteil Burbridge, Jeff "Tain" Watts, and Chick Corea.

Visit: www.mutantbass.com