The Electric Squeezebox Orchestra is a 17 piece big band based in San Francisco that plays music composed and arranged by its members. Led by trumpeter Erik Jekabson, the band currently consists of Erik, Henry Hung, Darren Johnston, Doug Morton and Dave Scott on trumpets, Rob Ewing, Danny Lubin-Laden, Patrick Malabuyo and Richard Lee on trombones, Sheldon Brown and Larry Delacruz on alto saxes, Mike Zilber and Marcus Stephens on tenor saxes, Charlie Gurke on baritone sax, and the rhythm section of Dan Zemelman, piano; Jordan Samuels, guitar; Tommy Folen, bass; and Hamir Atwal, Alan Hall and Eric Garland rotating on drums. However, you'll catch many of the Bay Area's top jazz musicians subbing into the band every week. The band's debut CD "Cheap Rent" is available on the OA2 record label.

Recording artist, Nicolas Bearde, one of today's premier male jazz vocalists, has won acclaim from critics and jazz audiences worldwide for his 'buttery baritone' and deeply imaginative interpretations. A seasoned and highly respected showman on stage, Bearde's brilliant and lush vocals combine passion, wit and sensuality, with an engaging rapport that captures and draws the audience into his performance. Forged from his Nashville, (TN) roots and his 1980's initiation into the thriving San Francisco music scene, Nicolas' unique approach and electrifying delivery of his originals, time-tested standards, blues and other familiar jazz works, is unmistakable.
For the past 20 years, Nicolas has also delighted audiences with his vocal stylings as a member of Bobby McFerrin's wildly innovative a cappella ensemble, "Voicestra", while carving out his own distinctive solo career. With classic performances and cool interpretations of jazz standards and blues - Nicolas is the definitive jazz romantic. He'll steam you up with an original soulful song like Love Me, pull you into the nuanced emotion of a classic Bill Wither's tune, Can We Pretend, or captivate you with a stirring rendition of Naima, a John Coltrane ballad.
Born and raised in Nashville, TN and singing as long as he can remember, Nicolas' love of Jazz and R&B classics can be laid at his mother's feet. He remembers: "My Mother and her crew loved to have card parties, listen to late night radio, finger-pop, whoop and shout "Honey, hush" while listening to Billy Eckstine and Cab Calloway, And... Oh how they loved a good ballad!!" One of her favorites "Moonlight in Vermont", stayed in Bearde's head for over 40 years before he recorded it.
Leaving home in his 20's, Nicolas spent 2 years in Japan during his military service, and several years working the R&B circuit in Los Angeles, before finally putting down roots in the San Francisco/Bay Area where he began developing his jazz chops and a more intimate approach to performing.
- See more at: http://www.nicolasbearde.com/bio/#sthash.sRl5JdJQ.dpuf