Gothic Theatre
Boulder Acoustic Society
According to violinist Darol anger, BAS is The Future of String Band Music on a Silver Platter. They take this admonition seriously, but not too seriously. Each member of BAS comes from a different musical world and the collision of these worlds is what makes their music so special. Shredding guitar licks, soaring gypsy violin, a little ukulele and the thump of an old time bass bounce around with a jazz accordion player to create a new sound. It is American Roots music with the edge of punk rock and the grace of chamber music. Stick around and listen, now is the time.
Brad Jones
Guitar, Ukulele, Vocals
Brad was born and raised in Montague, Michigan where he began playing guitar at age nine. He has studied with country session guitarist Dave Rudolph, and is currently earning his Bachelor’s degree in jazz studies from the University of Colorado at Denver under Drew Morrell and Paul Musso.
Brad’s versatility as a musician has earned him a reputation for his ability to easily jump from one genre to another. He’s extended his exploration of diverse styles—jazz, rock, blues, swing—to the ukulele, an instrument he looks forward to revolutionizing. Like his Boulder Acoustic Society bandmates, Brad has several side projects, including The Stinos and Trip Dixie.
Brad enjoys sunny Colorado outdoor pursuits such as climbing and biking, as well as reading, studying archeology, and teaching. Educational outreach is dear to Brad’s heart, an element that he has made a permanent part of his musical vision.
Brad plays a 2005 Eastman 910CE archtop guitar through a SWR California Blonde acoustic amp, and a Mike DaSilva Tenor Ukulele, a Larrivee L-10 acoustic guitar, Risa electric soprano ukulele and a OME XX plectrum banjo.
Aaron Keim
Double Bass, Ukulele, Banjo, Vocals
Aaron’s love of traditional string band music and jazz brought him to Boulder in 2003 to study for his graduate degree in music history with Tom Riis at University of Colorado. As soon as Aaron rolled into town, he got a job selling folk instruments at H.B. Woodsongs, further fueling his passion for research and performance of American roots music styles.
While at Woodsongs, Aaron blossomed into a diverse multi-instrumentalist. Besides his accomplished string bass playing, Aaron specializes in old time styles for ukulele, banjo and guitar. Aaron loves to share his passion and knowledge with all who are interested, writing articles and teaching lessons and workshops about roots music.
Aaron also plays old time and folk music with his wife Nicole, who is a music teacher. Aaron enjoys reading, hiking, repairing musical instruments and learning songs from old recordings. He plays a Romanian bass made by Calin Voltur, a Mike DaSilva ukulele, a National resophonic ukulele, a Larrivee O-5 guitar and an OME Juniper banjo.
Aaron on MySpace.
Scott McCormick
Accordion, Ukulele, Washboard, Vocals
Scott McCormick was raised in Chicago, Illinois with musical roots in punk rock, folk and Celtic music. After years of piano lessons, he felt he needed more of an outlet to express himself. He found that outlet playing at blues bars, gospel churches and jazz jam sessions. In 2001 he picked up the accordion to start The Paradise String Band with Aaron, and has not put it down since.
Currently, Scott is living in Milwaukee as a professional musician and teacher. Still learning the jazz language, Scott has now branched off and recorded other forms of American music such as hip hop, rhythm and blues, gospel, folk, and bluegrass. Performing in several groups and teaching over 40 students, Scott is finishing up his Music Education degree and planning to move to Denver in 2007.
Scott has played gigs with Max Weinberg, Doug Beach, Steve Wiest, Bob Newhart, Dave Pietro, Percy Heath, Tony Carpenter and Malcolm Banks (Earth, Wind, and Fire), and Dr. Guthrie Ramsey.
Please check the tour page carefully. Some shows are trio and some are with Scott McCormick.
Kailin Yong
Violin, Mandolin, Ukulele, Vocals
Teacher, composer and innovator of ‘Chinesegrass’, Kailin Yong, a native of Singapore, is an avid crossover violinist playing a colorful palette of musical styles. Before moving to the United States in 1999, he won first prize in the Singapore National Music Competition, toured the world with the Asian Youth Orchestra, and studied classical violin performance and chamber music at the Vienna Academy of Music.
Among his achievements, Kailin is honored to have been named the 2004 recipient of the Daniel Pearl memorial violin at Mark O’Connor’s Strings Conference. This award was established in the journalist’s name to promote understanding, friendship and harmony among people through the power of music. The violin is representative of Kailin’s personal philosophy and he hopes to carry on its spirit through his explorations of the common human connections found in all folk music.
Kailin is now working on a solo album and in his free time he enjoys contemplating the Tao Te Ching and playing basketball. In addition to Boulder Acoustic Society, Kailin also plays with Tango Camerata, Strings of Tao and Saltanah Middle Eastern Ensemble. He counts Darol Anger and Art Lande among his musical mentors.
Kailin plays a 1951 Louis Bertrand violin, a Mike DaSilva ukulele and a concert Fluke ukulele designed and built by Dale Webb.
