 |
Since
its inception in 1989,
Calypso Blue has brought the pulsating rhythms and infectious melodies
of the world's happiest music, calypso, to countless Northwest
audiences. With a touch of Reggae, Latin jazz, pop music, and other
Caribbean styles thrown in for good measure, Calypso Blue offers the
ultimate in variety and flexibility while maintaining the Caribbean
sound.
Calypso Blue normally consists of six musicians: two sets of steel drums (one doubling on percussion), flute (and sax), keyboard, bass, and drums. Depending on such variables as budget, room size, and type of event, however, the band can be whittled down to a quintet, omitting either the flute/sax/keyboard or second steel drum player (for shorter engagements, both can be omitted for a quartet). With steel pan as the lead instrument, the music retains its festive sound, supported by the other instruments in the band. The variety of sounds in the band allow Calypso Blue to always sound fresh, from tune to tune and set to set. In addition to the vast repertoire of traditional and contemporary Caribbean music, the band also plays many familiar tunes. And if your event is more "laid back" or calls for a dinner or cocktail set, it's no problem. Calypso Blue plays many light, mellow Caribbean jazz tunes as well. For special holiday parties, the band also plays an extensive repertoire of seasonal favorites arranged especially for this unique instrumentation. See our songlist.
This is the perfect band for dancing, listening, or just to add a touch of Caribbean Class to your next festive affair.
About Gary Gibson...
Gary Gibson has a Master's degree in Music Performance, and was on the jazz faculty at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. Although he retired from full-time teaching in 1996, he remains active as an educator, giving clinics and masterclasses at colleges and universities througout the U.S., as well as more locally on the faculty of the Centrum jazz Workshop/Port Townsend jazz Festival. He is a full-time, freelance performer and tours as a guest concert artist at colleges and universities throughout the country. His first CD release, "My Two Cents," received international attention in both jazz and steel drum circles. His second CD, "CounterMelodies," was released in December 2002, to rave reviews. His newest release, "Yahbooy!," has continued in the tradition of his first two recordings. You can read reviews about all of his recordingson each of the above links. Gary leads several groups, including his jazz quartet and Panduo (steel drum duo), a Caribbean/Latin jazz group. In 2004, Gary won Trinidad's Panorama National Steelband Championship while playing with the 120-player-strong "Exodus Steel Orchestra". (See Gary's full bio).
The base fee for booking Calypso Blue (full six-piece band) ranges from $1150 for one hour to $1600 for four hours. The five-piece group ranges from $975 for one hour to $1350 for four hours. If your job is on peak time (Friday evening, Saturday, or Sunday), the base fee for the full six piece band is $1350 for one hour up to $1800 for four hours, and for the five-piece group, it ranges from $1100 for one hour up to $1500 for four hours. Bookings in December, which include our special seasonal repertoire, are also at this higher rate. Jobs over 90 minutes will include one 15-minute break per hour after the first hour of performance (customary breaks). Prices may vary depending on variables such as early set-up, inconvenient load-in, and long-distance travel to gig (this includes ferry travel across Puget Sound or air charter for the San Juan Islands). Small discounts may be available for steady work or multiple bookings. If you're budget is tight, you should definitely visit the Panduo page; we put the duo together specifically for smaller-budget affairs and smaller-scale events (or events requiring travel).
If you are interested in hiring us, and you have placed a call to a talent agency in addition to visiting this site, be advised that Panduo cannot book directly with you if the agency calls us about your event before you have contacted us. It is our policy to honor the "first contact" we get regarding your event. If an agency contacts us, and then the client contacts us regarding the same event, we must book the job through the talent agency. In this way, we can be fair to all parties involved and maintain our good relations with the talent agencies.
If you're interested in Calypso Blue and are curious as to whether we are available for your event, just fill out this quick online Availability Inquiry Form and I'll get back to you promptly!
Calypso Blue normally consists of six musicians: two sets of steel drums (one doubling on percussion), flute (and sax), keyboard, bass, and drums. Depending on such variables as budget, room size, and type of event, however, the band can be whittled down to a quintet, omitting either the flute/sax/keyboard or second steel drum player (for shorter engagements, both can be omitted for a quartet). With steel pan as the lead instrument, the music retains its festive sound, supported by the other instruments in the band. The variety of sounds in the band allow Calypso Blue to always sound fresh, from tune to tune and set to set. In addition to the vast repertoire of traditional and contemporary Caribbean music, the band also plays many familiar tunes. And if your event is more "laid back" or calls for a dinner or cocktail set, it's no problem. Calypso Blue plays many light, mellow Caribbean jazz tunes as well. For special holiday parties, the band also plays an extensive repertoire of seasonal favorites arranged especially for this unique instrumentation. See our songlist.
This is the perfect band for dancing, listening, or just to add a touch of Caribbean Class to your next festive affair.
About Gary Gibson...
Gary Gibson has a Master's degree in Music Performance, and was on the jazz faculty at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. Although he retired from full-time teaching in 1996, he remains active as an educator, giving clinics and masterclasses at colleges and universities througout the U.S., as well as more locally on the faculty of the Centrum jazz Workshop/Port Townsend jazz Festival. He is a full-time, freelance performer and tours as a guest concert artist at colleges and universities throughout the country. His first CD release, "My Two Cents," received international attention in both jazz and steel drum circles. His second CD, "CounterMelodies," was released in December 2002, to rave reviews. His newest release, "Yahbooy!," has continued in the tradition of his first two recordings. You can read reviews about all of his recordingson each of the above links. Gary leads several groups, including his jazz quartet and Panduo (steel drum duo), a Caribbean/Latin jazz group. In 2004, Gary won Trinidad's Panorama National Steelband Championship while playing with the 120-player-strong "Exodus Steel Orchestra". (See Gary's full bio).
The base fee for booking Calypso Blue (full six-piece band) ranges from $1150 for one hour to $1600 for four hours. The five-piece group ranges from $975 for one hour to $1350 for four hours. If your job is on peak time (Friday evening, Saturday, or Sunday), the base fee for the full six piece band is $1350 for one hour up to $1800 for four hours, and for the five-piece group, it ranges from $1100 for one hour up to $1500 for four hours. Bookings in December, which include our special seasonal repertoire, are also at this higher rate. Jobs over 90 minutes will include one 15-minute break per hour after the first hour of performance (customary breaks). Prices may vary depending on variables such as early set-up, inconvenient load-in, and long-distance travel to gig (this includes ferry travel across Puget Sound or air charter for the San Juan Islands). Small discounts may be available for steady work or multiple bookings. If you're budget is tight, you should definitely visit the Panduo page; we put the duo together specifically for smaller-budget affairs and smaller-scale events (or events requiring travel).
Important
note about booking us through a local talent agency:
If you are interested in hiring us, and you have placed a call to a talent agency in addition to visiting this site, be advised that Panduo cannot book directly with you if the agency calls us about your event before you have contacted us. It is our policy to honor the "first contact" we get regarding your event. If an agency contacts us, and then the client contacts us regarding the same event, we must book the job through the talent agency. In this way, we can be fair to all parties involved and maintain our good relations with the talent agencies.
If you're interested in Calypso Blue and are curious as to whether we are available for your event, just fill out this quick online Availability Inquiry Form and I'll get back to you promptly!
|
|