Oskar Stenmark is a flugelhorn and trumpet player from Gothenburg, Sweden, but is currently residing in New York. Oskar has studied with: Lew Soloff, Phil Markowitz, Dave Liebman, Jim McNeely, Jan Allan, Gregory Gilbert, Anders Jormin, Dominic Derasse, Scott Wendholt, Per Ivarsson, Tony Padlock, Luis Bonilla, Lars Lindgren, Peter Asplund, Frank Green, Johan Åkervall, & Klas Nilsson. Oskar leads his trio, quartet and octet, and has worked with Maria Schneider Orchestra, David Byrne, Timbuktu (SWE), Bohuslän Big Band and La Barriada (Havana).

Oskar Stenmark NYC Quartet plays traditional melodies from Sweden, inherited from Oskar’s ancestors mixed with New York jazz. The lyrical melodies will give you a Nordic flavor, but the rhythm, harmony and feel can only be found in New York City. Born in Gothenburg, Sweden, Oskar is the 7th generation in a family of professional musicians. He eventually picked up the trumpet and received a Bachelor in Improvisation from the University of Gothenburg in 2013. Oskar moved to New York a year later to pursue his musical dreams, he received a Master’s in Jazz Performance and composition from the Manhattan School of Music in May 2016.

Stenmark has performed with stars such as Chris Potter, Dave Liebman and the multiple GRAMMY award recipient Maria Schneider Orchestra. The quartet features some of the most sought after musicians in New York, hailing from the U.S. and Sweden. Oskar plays flugelhorn exclusively, an instrument that blends better with the traditional melodies. Oskar has recorded an album with the original melodies at Studio Epidemin (Gothenburg), it was released in May 2014 and is available on Spotify and iTunes. Oskar currently resides in New York, working with the tradition and music of his ancestors.

The Dirt Whisperers are Eric Simons on guitar and vocals and Bradford Reed on pencilina and drums. Simons has played with Ladybug Mecca of Digable Planets, Brian Jackson of Gil Scott Heron, The Dukes of Brooklyn, Tractor Supply and Revel in Dimes. A Kansas native, Eric is heavily influenced by his home state’s blues, country, gospel and early jazz, but his style can sound as rooted in the Mississippi Delta as anywhere else.

Bradford Reed’s pencilina, his own invention, is an electric ten-stringed collision of the hammer dulcimer, slide guitar, koto and fretless bass. Reed played with King Missile III (and produced 4 of their records) and in the original band of The Blue Man Group as well as Satellite and The Harpoonist. Reed has also scored numerous films and TV shows, including Superjail! on Adult Swim and Ugly Americans on Comedy Central.

Stylistically the music of The Dirt Whisperers is grounded in traditional blues and classic soul, but it traverses many genres, adding in touches of gospel and Americana, while never losing track of good old American rock and roll. Eric’s guitar can growl or whisper or even call on the steely sounds of a National Resonator. Both drums and bass are simultaneously covered by Bradford on a minimal drum kit and the pencilina which constantly adds in unexpected tones and textures that are often difficult to explain. There might be a bow tantalizing the strings or harmonics ringing from the sticks, which act as movable bridges, riding the strings like a ship on the high seas. While the collaboration of Simons and Reed may seem experimental (and it can be!), The Dirt Whisperers pride themselves on singing and playing melodies that will hook your eardrums while their beats get your ass shaking.

https://linktr.ee/thedirtwhisperers

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