iSound

The Shanghai Woolies play hot music, the 1920’s and 30’s jazz and pop of Chicago and New York City. The eight-piece ensemble, founded by Pink Martini trumpet player Gavin Bondy, covers Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Paul Whiteman and more. “... a new twist on the raucous, slippery, foot-happy jazz you’d expect to hear at the legendary Cotton Club ... hard to resist...” - the Oregonian. The vocalist and songwriter, Mel (Melanie) Kubik, is the centerpiece of each performance. Her early training in music (classical piano at age 3, saxophone at 9) and her experience in traditional jazz (Timbuktu + 5) and pop rock (Quarterflash) combines with her Bohemian lineage and down-home Kansas upbringing to give her versatility, personal accessibility, and musical depth and beauty that is rare. Gavin plays trumpet and cornet, and writes songs and arrangements for the band. Brought up in Portland, Oregon, he studied music from old-school horn players who showed him how American music was ...