An intro to my band Vagabond Opera!
Sneakin Out and me at the White Eagle
post some Trancelucid Hank= thanks
rest of jam
Most recent with Lara Michell and Jen Bernard playing "Petals"
BIOGRAPHY
Skip vonKuske
Many musicians and critics debate about the merits of this genre or that, what’s in, what’s out, and so on, but there are few talented artists who rise above the fray, and who dedicate their efforts to fostering the creation and evolution of music, rather than the categorization and judgment of it. Skip vonKuske is one these musicians. His open-mindedness, musical sensibility, technical ability, piercing emotion and improvisational skills have made him one of the most sought after cellists in the Northwest.
While perhaps best known as a master collaborator for his work with groups such as Vagabond Opera and the Portland Cello Project, Skip vonKuske is also many other things: a composer, an innovator, an improviser, and producer. The Oregonian has described him as “a one-man chamber ensemble,” and this is apparent in his solo work, in which he uses looping technology and sound-manipulation tools to push the cello into uncharted terrain, and yet does so without sacrificing the sentiment which is heard in his powerful, concise phrasing.
Skip began playing cello at the age of eight, and has studied with renowned cellists William Stokking of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Lorne Munro of the New York Philharmonic. He attended the Performing Arts School of Philadelphia and also studied at Michigan State University. While at MSU, Skip performed with numerous regional orchestras and in several original music projects, in which he also played bass, guitar and mandolin.
When Skip moved to Portland, Oregon in 1994, his skills as an improviser and singer/songwriter set him apart from many other classically trained musicians. In his first three years in Portland he recorded with well over fifty artists. And over the last decade, Skip's cello has provided vital, though often subtle texture, to hundreds of recordings including M. Ward's "Post War" and Pink Martini's "Sympathique”.
Skip has also worked with the Oregon Symphony and performed with Smokey Robinson Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Judy Collins, Crystal Gayle and many others. He stays active in the Portland’s Jazz community and continues to collaborate with film makers, producers, chamber music groups and is the first call of top music studios whenever a professional cellist is needed, whether their client has chord charts, written parts, or even no preconceived ideas.
Skip is currently concentrating on solo performance of personal projects and compositions including cellotronik, where he uses layered work with electronic elements to create hypnotic and techno-organic music which keeps the cello at the fore of countless blends of sounds and rhythms. His next recording, which will no doubt bring surprise and explore divergence, is due out by the end of 2009.
For additional information, please contact Grit PR & Management at 503/887.2644, email gritpr@gmail.com or visit www.skipvonkuske.com.
skipvonkuske.com
myspace.com/vonkuske
Hello father! oooh, i dont like like. whats up daddio?! uhmm. thats not doing it for me wither. hi dad! hahah, there we go! thought i'd drop you a quick comment to say i miss you! dont be afraid to comment back :) if it were lame to be commenting my dad, i wouldnt care i'd do it anyways :D
Wow...your album, 'Intuit"...amazing! I borrowed it from Misty, and when I first played it in my car, I pulled over and listened to Track 1, about five times in a row. Literally. Just wanted to let you know that you and your Cello make gorgeous music together! Cheers!! Kerry
Stop by my MySpace and check out the whole demo! I'm meeting with Todd tonight to finalize artwork, so, as soon as I can afford to go to kinkos, we can meet for beer and I can give you a packaged copy.
Thanks again for your excellent contribution to this disc. You sound great.
Come join Mad Buffalo along with Kate Mann and the Calamities at Mississippi Studios in Portland on May 6th. Hope to see you there… Thanks for your support.
Hey there cellotronik Bridgetown Comedy Festival is finally here!!! Starts this Thursday so get your tickets by visiting www.bridgetowncomedyfestival.com
Watch this interview and tell Andy that you support Portland Comedy!
We're playing a great show with The Joe McMurrian Quartet (now Woodbrain) and Eggplant this Thursday. It's a super solid evening of rocking roots music dripping in blues and jazz. Hope to see you there! ~~C
Thursday, April 9th : 10 pm : 21+ : $4
Kelly's Olympian 426 SW Washington St Portland, OR 97204
Skip! Are you feeling any better? (i hope) Really hope you're serious about arranging that song for us. I think we should play it on the Cali tour! Do it! Do it! :) anna
