Omar Torrez guitar sings

Omar Torrez’s show at the Triple Door this past Saturday Jan 24th was fun and exciting. He played for a packed house, a crowd that loves him and has been following him for a while. Although Omar lives in LA, he is from Seattle.

The show started with him solo, playing some traditional flamenco and Latin tunes, featuring his great guitar playing. Then the band joined in, and slowly, or not so slowly, we were at a rock and roll concert Omar’s style incorporates Classical Flamenco and Hendrix inspired solos. He goes back and forth between the acoustic and electric guitar. His original tunes have a Latin Rock Pop feel, like one of my favorites, “Senhorita”.

A funny, and impressive moment in the show was when Omar started singing Opera style like a Soprano. He has a great voice as well. Another cool surprise was, towards the end of the show, Omar invited the talented guitar player Mario Butković to join in the fun and play with them. Mario is originally from Bosnia and plays with the Seattle/Euro band Kultur Shock. Besides Torrez,  the band featured Tige Decoster on acoustic bass, Byron Vannoy on drums (although I’m not totally sure if it was him), and Johny Congas on percussion – Johny is the host of the Latin Jazz show “Al Lado Latino”, which airs on KBCS 91.3fm every Saturday at 6pm.

Last year Omar was invited by Tom Waits to tour as his guitar player. As a result, he’s been writing some Tom Waits type tunes as well

Omar Torrez is heading to a Mexico tour at the end of March. He performs in Seattle regularly. For more information please visit the links below!

paz!
paula maya

http://www.myspace.com/omartorrez

http://www.thetripledoor.net

http://www.kbcs.fm

http://www.myspace.com/paulamayaband

Venus Envy Reunion Show at the Triple Door

The Triple Door was packed for the Venus Envy Reunion Show. With mostly women, I might add! This local cult folk-funk quartet disbanded in 1995, but now… it’s reunion time! The group features Lisa Koch on vocals and acoustic guitar, Laura Love on vocals and electric bass, Linda Schierman on vocals, harmonica and tambourin, and the multi-instrumentalist Linda Severt on vocals, drums, congas, triangle, acoustic guitar and Ukulele. And don’t forget the little toy-piano.

Besides amazing musical talent, the show was filled with humor and Christmas Songs. NOT featuring the lyrics you’ll hear at church Sunday morning, however. Their CD “I’ll be a Homo for Xmas” is a bona fide twisted holiday classic.

One of the strong moments during the show was when Laura Love sang her pro-Obama anthem song, written especially to inspire the folks in Ohio, where she spent several days in October performing, to vote for the ‘right’ candidate.

It’s worth mentioning that Linda Severt’s new children’s CD, Grinning Streak, is the winner of a “Parents’ Choice Silver” award and a “Seal of Excellence” from Creative Child Magazine.

And last, but not least, Lisa Koch has a Christmas show coming up THIS Sunday December 14th – 17th at 7:30pm in Seattle, at Theatre Off Jackson, 409 7th AVE. S.

For more info visit these sites:

http://www.tripledoor.net

http://www.lauralove.net/

http://www.lindasevert.com

http://www.heylisa.com/home.html

paz!

paula

http://www.paulamaya.com

West Coast Songwriters.org “Performing Songwriter Competition”

The first monthly Smileynote Studios – West Coast Songwriters.org “Performing Songwriter Competition“.  

There were 17 wonderful, diverse original acts, traveling from as far as Seattle and Salem. It took place in Portland, at Macadam’s Bar and Grill.

- Overall Winners - Dan Miller & Lindsey Shaffer, with a solid performance of well crafted songs!

 - Sponsor’s Choice - Tyler Stenson

 - Judge’s Choice - Dan Weber, Lupe, and Chris Kokesh

 - Honorable mention’s - Matt Price, Terry/Donna Lynn Davis, Ron Shaffer, and Dan Lowe

The night was hosted by Daniel Work –  WCS NW CHAPTER Volunteer Director, and singer/songwriter, with lots of appreciated help from his wife!

The Judges were:

Tim Ellis- Uber-guitarist/producer and straight shooting advocate for musical artists

Peter Vaughan Shaver – Trusted local entertainment attorney, music lover.

Patrick Lamb - Grammy nominated NW/Portland based recording artist, singer-songwriter  sax man.

We also raised some cash via the obligatory Singer-Songwriter TIP JAR, all donated to the FOOD BANK.

Visit www.WestCoastSongwriters.org to learn more!

Review: The Seattle Women Medieval’s Choir Dec 6th

The Seattle Women Medieval’s Choir concert at St. James Cathedral this past Saturday Dec 6th was magical. The sound of the female voices reverberating inside this beautiful space transported me to a different world.

The date was chosen not by chance. Dec 6th celebrates Saint Nicholas and his miracles. The choir repertoire this year was largely focused on songs for this famous saint. Who was, one might say, the original Santa Claus.

WMC features about 60 female singers, and conductor / musician extraordinaire Margriet Tindemans, who leads the choir, at times playing the medieval fiddle, with a captivating and charismatic performance. They were joined by percussionist Peggy Monroe and harpist Bill McJohn.

Their next performance is Saturday, December 13, 2008, 11 AM & 2 PM Bethany Lutheran Church, 7400 Woodlawn Ave NE, Seattle. Introduce children to the pleasures of medieval music through stories and songs about the transformation of St. Nicholas into Sinter Claes in Holland and Santa Claus in America. This special hour-long family program, in the intimate setting of Bethany Lutheran’s sanctuary, will conclude with a sing-along of American carols and the arrival of Sinter Claes, bearing the traditional Dutch gift for children of oranges. For the curious, ages 6 to 106.