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California, USA - The Jonathan Scales Fourchestra will be playing a free concert Monday, November 14^th at 8:00 p.m., at the Fulkerson Recital Hall at Cal Poly Humboldt [California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt]. The performance is presented and sponsored by the Humboldt Calypso Band and the Cal Poly Humboldt Jazz Program. The group consists of Jonathan Scales on steelpan with bassist E’Lon JD and drummer Maison Guidry.

The Jonathan Scales Fourchestra’s eponymous debut—fully orchestrated with horns and strings—was released in 2013 by Ropeadope Records. The record reached #6 on the iTunes Jazz charts. Dr. Eugene Novotney, Professor of Music, Cal Poly Humboldt, says of the group, “The Jonathan Scales Fourchestra is mind-blowing. Each musician is a virtuoso in their own right, and the sound they create together is a complex and soulful weave of jazz-funk fusion.” Jeff Potter, at Modern Drummer Magazine says “In a blink, tunes overlap jazz, funk, fusion, Latin, and even classical, frequently with mischievous humor. Scales’ crafty soloing takes his island-born instrument to a new zone.”

Stella Shipman of The Daily Iowan writes, “JD’s rich bass notes anchored the music and set the tone for each song. In an emotional solo, JD showcased his smooth vocals. Meanwhile, Guidry’s hands moved like lightning across his drum set, and he brought a raw physicality to his playing that made his music feel alive. On the steel pan, Scales effortlessly adapted the crisp chimes of the instrument to every genre of song.”

“Bringing the steel pan instrument into the twenty-first century Jonathan Scales is the cream rising to the top. His innovative approach to his instrument and composing is redefining and challenging traditional expectations of the steel pan. Scales playing allows the steel pan to take on the role associated with horns, piano, vibraphone or marimba due to his stunning, virtuosic technique. Scales’ mesmerizing compositions have captivated listeners and elevated him to the status of a true composer, forging new territory in the medium of instrumental music,” writes Sylvannia Garutch at The Jazz World.

Dr.Eugene Novotney sums it up, “Jonathan is doing something with the steelpan that very few people are doing, and his group is making music like no other group is making. They are extraordinary. This FREE concert in Fulkerson Recital Hall is a must-see show. Don’t miss it!”

• Date: Monday, November 14th, 2022
• Time: 8:00 p.m.
• Location: Fulkerson Recital Hall, Cal Poly Humboldt, Arcata CA 95521
• Price: FREE
• Livestream Link: To watch the free livestream, go to the website “All Events” drop down menu, select “Department of Dance, Music, and Theatre” and select your event or use this link https://youtu.be/VvHI3-7naXM 

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PRESS RELEASE
Source:
Cal Poly Humboldt