Pangaea (Pan je ' a), n: The landmass that existed when all continents presentday were joined, from about 300 to 200 million years ago.
THE PANGEANS are a group of seven musicians performing Latin Jazz, Samba, Calypso, Soca, Reggae, Funk and AfroBeat. The group performs original compositions based on traditional rhythms as well as compositions by Abdullah Ibrahim (Dollar Brand), Herbie Hancock, Fela Kuti and others. If you like to dance and/or listen to World Music, you'll love THE PANGEANS!
THE PANGEANS are:
BRIAN BENDER (trombone, trumpet, melodica, keyboards, percussion, composer) has formerly performed with O.J. Ekemode and the Nigerian AllStars, Kotoja (African WorldBeat), Ibrahima Camera, Black Rebels (African Reggae), La Perfecta (Salsa/Merengue), Big Bandemonium (Contra Dance band) and the Berkshire Bateria Escola de Samba (Brazilian). He currently performs with the World Beatniks (World Music), Little Shop of Horas (JewishWorld Fusion), The Gumbo Jumbo Dixieland Band (Traditional Jazz), the Yiddishkeit Klezmer Ensemble (Jewish), Fiddle Hill (Celtic) and Elixir (Contra Dance Band). Brian has performed in the Cape Verde Islands (West Africa), Egypt, Alaska, France, Germany, Holland, Spain, the Czech Republic, Italy, the United Kingdom and throughout the United States. He has performed at Carnegie Hall as well as the Presidential Inauguration of Bill Clinton.
JIM VOGEL (tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, percussion, composer) has performed and recorded with New Horizon (Reggae), New Roots (Reggae), the Berkshire Bateria Escola de Samba (Brazilian). Jim was a founding member of the acclaimed group Who's Kidding Who? (Funk), with one release on Bullet Records. He currently leads his own Jazz group and performs with Lucky Seven (Caribbean Ska).
ADAM SCOTERA (trumpet, alto saxophone) has performed throughout the Northeast with many ensembles, including Caribbean Sounds, Lydia Lebron y la Connecticut Band, Banda Creacion (Salsa/Merengue), Inner Orchestra (Funk/Soul), and Souled Out. In addition to the Pangeans, he can currently be heard with Shokazoba (AfroBeat), the Northside Saxophone Quartet, and Big Bandemonium (Contradance). He has extensive experience recording for some of these as well as various local artists. He holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Massachusetts.
STEVE CROW (electric guitar) has performed with Ras Moon (Reggae), the World Beat Ensemble, Kevin So (original) and Maeve Hughes (original), to name a few. Leaning towards the funky side, Steve currently leads his own group, the Steve Crow Band, and previously led a band called Inside Out.
BRUCE DOBBINS (congas, Latin and African percussion) is the godchild of Mongo Santamaria and performs regularly with John Sheldon. Bruce is particularly wellversed in traditional AfroCuban percussion styles and truly has a style of his own.
PETER KIM (electric bass) has been performing for over 20 years. He has toured the USA from coast to coast and has had the honor to perform and/or record with James Taylor, Tonight Show drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith, Tony McAlpine (Steve Vai), The Equalites (Reggae), Dave Mattacks (Fairport Convention), Jeff Peaver and many others. He has opened up for B. B. King, Wilson Pickett, Johnny Winter and many others.
JEFF HINRICHS (drums) has been in demand as part of the Pioneer Valley music scene since 1978. One of the rare drummers equally versed on the drum set as well as hand percussion, he has performed with many area top bands over the years. He decided to be a musician when, like so many of his generation, he saw the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show and decided that music would be his path. He has studied with an impressive list of the world's best percussionists, and has earned a BA degree in Ethnomusicology from UMASS Amherst. In addition to The Pangeans, currently he can be found working with Dicey Riley, The Kitchen Party, and the B3s.
www.pangeans.com
