Chi "Mr. Groove" Saito - Drums/Percussion, Bass, Elect. and Acoustic Guitars
Chi Saito is a veteran career musician/multi-instrumentalist from Tokyo, Japan. As his nickname indicates, he is specialized in laying down deep, driving grooves in the tradition of Ringo Starr, Charlie Watts and John Bonham with an unshakably steady meter. He is unique in that he doubles equally competently on drums and bass, giving him a profound understanding of how the two instruments interact in an ensemble, in addition to his strong understanding of harmony and song structure derived from being an accomplished guitarist as well. His latest recording credits include work with members of Three Dog Night and the Doobie Brothers.
He has played music since he was very young, and got his first professional gig at age 15 playing bass with the house show band in a Tokyo cabaret. He moved on to various Tokyo nightclubs playing guitar, bass and drums. He began composing and music directing for TV commercials by the time he was 18, moving into composing sound tracks for TV programs, and by age 20, began teaching bass, guitar and drums, as well as voice coaching. By his mid-20’s, he was backing renowned artists on national tours throughout Japan on all three instruments. After a brief retreat from performing to focus on developing his own original sound and style, he joined forces with violinist/bassist/composer Brenda K and formed his own group, “theXiles”. He is a charismatic player, invariably attracting fans wherever and with whomever he performs, whether his own music, or other artists’.
In 2004 he relocated to the southern California area where he quickly established himself, performing at well-known venues and touring nationwide. He is currently based in the central Los Angeles area backing various local artists, often as a backline team with his wife Brenda K, and is in the process of launching his own ensemble, “theXiles”, a violin-guitar duo that performs his own original compositions.
Musical Styles: Rock (Blues, British, Classic, Country, West Coast, etc.), Classic Blues, Country/Roots, Pop, R&B, Funk, Latin and Jazz
Influences: Jim Keltner and Klaus Voorman (John Lennon); Steve Gadd (Clapton); various others
Videos from debut performance of Charley P featuring Chi on bass!
Brenda K has performed numerous recitals and concerts, both as solo violinist and ensemble leader/member, and recorded on a number of projects sharing credits with (former) members of Weather Report, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Thin Lizzy, and others. She has been performing professionally since the age of 15 both internationally and in her native USA. In addition to her strong foundation in classical music, she is familiar with diverse musical idioms.
During her recent seven-year residency in Tokyo, Japan, she co-founded four performing ensembles, including two classical string chamber ensembles, an acoustic violin-guitar duo, and a pop fusion band in addition to assisting with the set-up and management of the performance venue, "Asagaya Drum".
Her main instrument is violin, and she also plays viola and bass guitar, as well as vocals. She currently performs regularly with her violin/guitar duo “theXiles", including work as a backline team with Chi Saito supporting various L.A.-based artists; and as a side musician (Irish-style fiddle and bass) with the ensemble "Raggle Taggle" featuring dancers and musicians from international touring ensembles "RiverDance" and "Lord of the Dance" CLICKHERE; fills in on Celtic fiddle and bass for international act "The Clachan Boys" (see friend space below); and plays violin and bass with San Diego-based ensemble "Le Jazz Hot" (various styles: jazz, swing and bossa nova standards, blues, rock, etc.) in addition to one-time appearances at various events as well as musical theatre engagements.
Musical Styles: classical, Celtic, chanson, country, blues, pop, rock, world
Brenda K with Mike Stewart (Raggle Taggle duo) at Hensley’s Flying Elephant (See our friend space below)
More video footage featuring Brenda K will be edited and uploaded soon
Gureyo is a freakishly smart, extraordinarily musically gifted kitty, possibly a reincarnation of Buddy Rich or Charlie Mingus. As her nickname "The Suck-o-Meter Kitty" implies, she stringently supervises rehearsals and makes sure that the groove is just right, and has been known to attack players who suck. When not engaged in the above, she is raising hell playing "Go Kitty Go!" with her little brother Jaco.
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Jaco P. Saito, Vice President, PR
Jaco, with his "take charge" attitude and friendly, outgoing disposition, is a natural choice for our PR V.P.
Influences
Vast and varied - we'll get around to listing them someday....
An eclectic blend of influences greater than the sum of its parts, combining a wide array of musical styles and a vast amount of life experience stretching around the globe (and some would argue beyond it). Founded in a unique mix of traditional classical and rock 'n roll roots.
The Panache Orchestra is an international touring acoustic violin/guitar duo that got started in Tokyo, Japan in mid 1998 not long after Brenda K (classically trained violinist) decided to go into voluntary exile there for a year or so with the intention of getting out of music. She and Chi “Mr. Groove” Saito, another career musician who had also just quit playing professionally (purebred rock player with extensive study of the great music of the world) met by a freak accident in a landmark sushi bar in the Azabu district (Tokyo) owned by a close friend of his. It was love at first sight, so they promptly began working together, cut an EP and debuted at Club Cay, a major Tokyo venue in the Aoyama district under the title “Brenda and Me” in 1998.
In late 2000 Chi, assisted by Brenda, opened a nightclub called “Asagaya Drum” that featured high quality live music and various multimedia events. During this time “Brenda & Me” expanded into a complete band format under the name “Strange Dream”, appearing in prominent festivals and venues. However, before they were able to record a full-length album with the new line-up, Chi and Brenda K relocated to Brenda’s hometown of San Diego, California in late 2004 and subsequently up to Los Angeles, leaving the other members behind in Tokyo. Since Chi was now an exile also, the band rebranded itself as “theXiles” and their saga continues in L.A. They recently decided to change their name to "The Panache Orchestra", believing that name better accommodates the full range of their music and who they are as individual players.
They currently perform principally as an acoustic violin/guitar duo featuring accomplished professional multi-instrumentalists Chi Saito of Tokyo, Japan (guitar) and Brenda K of San Diego, CA (violin), but can alternately perform as a full band/ orchestra, expanding their line-up with first rate players from amongst the musicians they have had the privilege of working with since their stateside debut. The Panache Orchestra is also currently in the process of recording a double album of their original instrumental repertoire scheduled for release in early September 2008.
Nobody has yet been able to neatly pigeon-hole The Panache Orchestra's sound into a market-friendly genre niche, but the consensus is that they have a truly unique, original sound with universal appeal, and are always a huge hit at any gathering of people who enjoy high quality, energizing, well-crafted music, from the most intimate marriage proposals to large celebrations and concerts. It has often been suggested that their music is especially well-suited to healing/holistic health and wellness applications.
One possible answer to the question, “what does The Panache Orchestra sound like?” could be, “An eclectic blend of influences greater than the sum of its parts, combining a wide array of musical styles and a vast amount of life experience stretching around the globe (and some would argue beyond it)”. Their highly crafted instrumental repertoire spans diverse musical genres reflecting Brenda K’s Euro-American classical foundation and Chi’s highly enriched rock ‘n roll roots, meshing together in an eclectic blend of crossover jazz/classical sensibilities infused with pop/rock/blues vernacular, with a number of pieces drawing their inspiration from Chi’s traditional Japanese heritage.
TheXiles welcome bookings, including private events, weddings, church services, art exhibits, fashion shows, film work, spots opening for major touring ensembles, etc.; and Brenda K and Chi both work independently as session and side players, and alternately as a backline team supporting other artists.
The Panache Orchestra (a.k.a. “theXiles”) performed at The Stone Bar in Hollywood, CA on 19 July 2008, sharing the stage with orchestral harp maestro Ricky Rasura.
The Panache Orchestra (a.k.a. “theXiles”) performed at the beautiful newly remodeled Oceanside Museum of Art at the artists' reception for the Oceanside Days of Art Festival.
theXiles endorse a political candidate:
Perry Tenitiss for President - Finally, there's someone running for office who makes sense! CLICKHERE to find out more about him and read about his views on the dire issues facing all of us these days. We believe this cat will cut through the BS rather than generate more. Send him a note to request him as a friend (see our friend space below), and spread the good word amongst your friends and fans!
Hello, It's always a pleasure to contact my friends, first thanks for your friendship and hope all is well. if you have time, there are some new videos on my page. Life is beautiful. All the best - Pat.
Thank you so much for your lovely, heartfelt contribution to our show last evening. It was a wonderful celebration of diversity and beauty. Our audience members were truly appreciative and we are grateful.
Hey friends, my carbon fiber bow for fiddlers, The Fiddler's Bow, is on sale this month $40 off! Every bow comes with a FREE cake of Fiddler's Rosin! http://fiddlersbow.ning.com to order
