
Less is more. What happens when you give four amazing musicians a lot of sonic space in a non-traditional lineup? A nostatic mix of jazz, funk, soul, pop, and rock. The songs are familiar, but the sound is fresh.
Vocalist Claire Riflej took to jazz at a young age, sang in a cappella groups in college, and since has performed on both coasts moving between jazz, bossa nova, funk, and rock. You might hear a beautiful ballad one minute, then scorching Porteguese bossa then next, followed by earthy soul.
Rachelle Romeo is a multi-instrumentalist, typically blowing baritone or soprano sax. A veteran of the Bay Area and southern California jazz and blues scenes, Rachelle moves effortlessly between bop, funk, and R&B.
Vincent Heckard plays both kit and percussion, and is in-demand on both. He has studied with Ron Powell, and brings incredible energy to the stage. He can be seen and heard across the southland in a number of different bands, everything from Latin to soul to old-time Jug Band music.
Bassist Todd Richmond has gigged regularly up and down California as well as shows and albums in Japan (with Kaz Takeda). He has studied with Victor Wooten and Anthony Wellington, and is continually pushing on the edges of different ways to realize the music. He occasionally ends up on banjo and/or guitar depending on the phase of the moon.
Todd devised this instrumentation specifically to give plenty of space for the musicians to explore new territory. The band ventures into interesting waters, but it remains accessible and listenable. Jazz, funk, soul, pop, and rock. It truly is "fusion" music, but not in the cold, mathematical sense often associated with the term. Instead, it is songs that you know taken places you might not expect.
classic songs - new sounds - nostatic
Nostatic alumni: Gary Mendell (keys), Russell Zimmer (trumpet), Kyle O'Donnell (sax), John Whoolilurie (sax), Hiroo Nakano (drums), Andy Crosby (drums), Sue Jin (vox), Stacey Byrne (vox), Vivian Rogers (vox), Tony Egan (vox), Chadwick Bishop (vox), David Kochen (sax), Rivkah Ross (drums), Jason Lee (gtr), Mark Chosak (gtr), Tom Jedynak (drums), Malika Chaterji (vox), Cico Silva (trumpet), Larkin McLean (vox), Tony DiGiovanni (drums), Tom Ralls (trombone), Roberto Guiterrez (perc), John Celentano (perc), Bray Ghiglia (gtr/sax), Jason Olsen (keys)
The nostatic trio + samplers: Soloist Highlights | Vocal | Instrumental
| more nostatic sounds | more nostatic sights | more nostatic videos | booking info |
| Gary Mendell keyboards |
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Todd Richmond bass |
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Rachelle Romeo sax |
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| Tom Jedynak drums |
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Hiroo Nakano drums |
Rivkah Ross drums |
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| Jason Lee guitar |
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Kyle O'Donnell sax |
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Tom Ralls trombone |
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| Sue Jin vocals |
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Vivian Rogers vocals |
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Claire Rifelj vocals |
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| Stace Byrne vocals |
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Tony Egan vocals |
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Chadwick Bishop vocals |
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Malika Chatterji vocals |
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Larkin McLean vocals |
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Jon Thibault drums |
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| Dave Kochen sax |
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John Whoolilurie sax |
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Tony DiGiovanni drums |
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