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THE NATIVES are…..
TRACY WILLIAMS-Vocals, hand percussion
Raised in Fairfax County Virginia, Tracy’s first influences were from her mother and aunts who are known to spontaneously break out in song to the delight of all who are lucky enough to be present at a family get-together. One favorite is ‘There Goes Granny Swinging on the Outhouse Door’. She spent her High School years in various school and church choirs and productions. Tracy’s first band experience came during her first year of college in Atlanta Ga. singing with a country rock/classic rock band in the Atlanta metro area. Upon returning to Northern Va., she turned her musical attention to being a DJ and also running Karaoke and competitions.
Tracy spent the better part of the next 12 years at Brinkleys in Falls Church Va. She also did private parties and special functions and became known from the Potomac River to the foothills of the Shenandoah Mts. Tracy has kept her toes in the band scene over the years by sitting in with th Micheal Heaven Band in Warrenton and with Bond & Goddard at Chelsea Joe’s in Manassas.
After moving to Virginia Beach in 2004, Tracy got her first gig as an emergency fill in with the local band 24 / 7. Many musical associations formed when Pat and Tracy started playing out and attending local open mic jam sessions. After a few early personnel changes, The Natives have discovered what we think is “just the right indigenous ingredients” for the band to flourish. With her fire and spunk, Tracy is easily the most unforgettable member of The Natives.
PATRICK HIGGINS– Guitar, Vocals
Growing up outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia, Pat took guitar lessons for two years starting in in 7th grade. During his high school years he performed with a three piece acoustic group and played in the Folk Group for Sunday Mass at St. Johns Church. During the summer after his freshman year at Lynchburg College, Pat toured the East coast for 9 weeks with the college’s production of Godspell. After college Patrick played in numerous bands in the D.C., Baltimore, Virginia and Ocean City band circuit. He also took further college courses in Music theory, Harmony theory and Music Recording Techniques.
Pat lived in Seattle from 1989 – 1999 and continued performing solo, with bands and also successfully ran open mic sessions at a number of well known area venues. Upon returning to Virginia, Patrick helped found Drivin’ Blind, a popular No.Va. band still performing today. He and Tracy moved to Virginia Beach in 2004 and started to perform together and meet area musicians. The Natives eventually evolved as a result of these collaborations.
Pat derives his musical style from a mix of country, rock, blues and New Orleans funk artists. Always drawn to heavily vocal oriented music, his early influences include CSN&Y, Eagles, Grateful Dead, The Who, various Classic Rock and Motown groups as well as Irish Folk Music. Though too many to mention, he continues to seek inspiration form many contemporary artists as well.
ED KESSLER - Bass, Vocals
Ed hails from Philadelphia, Pa. During His formative years as a bass player, Ed was weaned on Funk, R&B, Jazz, Motown and Gamble and Huff’s “Philadelphia Sound”.
He enjoyed listening to and playing these styles because they are largely rhythm driven and prominently feature bass guitar. Sly and the Family Stone’s ‘Dance to the Music’ was the watershed song that inspired Ed to become a bass player. Over the years, Ed honed his skills playing the club circuit in Philly and the Jersey shore.
Although mostly self-taught, Ed studied with Al Stouffer (well known on the Phila. Jazz circuit) for more than 3 years. Some of his other influences are Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead), James Jameson (Motown Records), John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), Victor Wooten (Bela Fleck and the Flecktones)
Ed is a founding member of The Natives and has enjoyed this band since their formation in 2004. Ed believes the name has served us well as it reflects the band’s eclectic mix of “Roots” as well as popular dance music.
Denny– Drums, Vocals
Denny is simply an AMAZING drummer!!! More bio info coming soon!!!!
Tommy Shine - Guitar, Vocals
Bio Coming Soon
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