Eric Ottem – Trumpet and Vocals
Handed a trumpet in sixth grade by his father and band director, Eric Ottem soon grew to be grateful he wasn’t allowed to play drums. Its piercing voice suited his personality while providing others relief from Eric’s endless deluge of metaphors. Now, half a century later, Eric has acquired at least fifty trumpets and cannot commit to a single one of them. He is, however, committed to the songs that crackled on radios decades before he was born, songs later resurrected by the small jazz combos of the Fifties and Sixties where Eric’s musical soul resides.
Steve Lopes – Drums
Backing Eric is the hard-swinging Mr. Steve Lopes. A passionate drummer with the rare ability to drive a band even while whispering a ballad, Steve’s rock solid playing infuses the group with an undeniable groove.
Tim Carmichael – Bass
On bass is Tim Carmichael, a veteran of jazz and creative music with over 30 years of experience playing and teaching. Tim’s melodic concept provides the perfect counterpoint to Eric’s trumpet, weaving an ever-changing line informed by the history and possible futures of music.
Vic Dillahay – Guitar
The newest member, guitarist Vic Dillahay, brings a style influenced by both Freddie Green and Bill Frisell, fusing swing-era rhythm playing with a thoroughly modern harmonic concept.
Together, the quartet delves through standards, funk, and latin tunes to keep audiences across Colorado engaged and grooving.