SOUL VACCINATION: Bio & Performances
Soul Vaccination is one of the Hottest Funk Bands in the PNW. This great band infuses the Stage with the greatest soul standards and has been a fixture in the Northwest music scene for over 14 years, bringing you tunes from the likes of Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Earth Wind & Fire and Tower of Power.
The band features the mighty Hammond B-3 organ playing of Louis Pain, as well as the precision guitar playing of Max Rees. On bass is Grammy nominated producer, John Linn, and on Drums is Edwin Coleman III, always bringin' the funk and Groovin' Hard. Portland's own Paul Creighton, Mark Wyatt, and Jeannine "Gigi" Wiggins share their soulful vocals styles. Lewis Livermore and Dave Mills carry the backbone sound of the Soul Vax horns on trumpets, with Mary Sue Tobin, Gary Harris, & Tim Bryson on saxophones. Don't miss our next show.
SOUL VACCINATION| Jeannine Wiggins| Mark Wyatt | John Linn | | Max Rees | Louis Pain | Edwin Coleman III | Lewis Livermore | Dave Mills | Gary Harris | Mary Sue Tobin | Timothy Bryson | Paul Creighton |
Paul Creighton
Paul Creighton is a Portland based vocalist/songwriter who has been performing professionally for the past 10 years. Unsigned Magazine calls Creighton “an artist whose tenor has shades of Marvin and Stevie” while the Willamette Week more aptly states “G-dd-mn, can Paul Creighton sing.” He currently tours with The Motet, Joey Porter’s Funk Tributes (Juno What!?) and fronts Portland’s soul-pop mainstay, Intervision, and has opened for multiplatinum artists Lifehouse, as well as the Neville Brothers, Little Richard, McKinley, Garage Majahal, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Ghostland Observatory, among other nationally touring acts.
Paul received his Master’s of Education from the University of Oregon, studied vocal performance as a Laurel Scholar at Portland State University, and he is a student of Tom Blaylock’s NW Institute of Voice. He has received multiple songwriting awards with the Intervision project, including an Independent Music Award for Best R&B and was a finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition. He currently resides in SE Portland with his wife and is completing his nursing degree at the University of Portland.
Mark Wyatt - Lead Vocals
Mark Wyatt is a wonderful vocalist and entertainer. Mark Wyatt has worked as a vocalist and guitarist in the Los Angeles, Bay Area, and Portland regions since the early-1980s.
In L.A. and San Jose, Mark played guitar for the U.S. Air Force Band and a number R & B and Top 40 cover bands. As a vocalist, he has worked with his first cousin, Grammy-award winning bluesman, Keb Mo, Wanda Hutchinson (of the Emotions), keyboardists Al Daniels and Wayne Vaughn (co-writer/producer for Earth Wind and Fire), and saxophonist Steve Tavaglione (from the George Benson band).
Locally, Mark has played and sung with several gospel, R & B, and fusion artists, including Ron Steen, Gino Michaels, The SouthLake Band (Renato Caranto, Tim Ellis, Jean-Pierre Garau, Steve Cannon, Paul Mazzio), 5 Guys Named Moe, The Power of 10, Paul Greenidge (keyboardist with James Ingram), Gary Hemmingway, Craig Jones, Craig Bidondo, and others.
Mark has also directed college vocal ensembles and contributed vocally and instrumentally on numerous studio projects. “Music by far is the vessel onboard which I best negotiate, interpret, experience, and navigate the currents in my life, and it is a blessing to put my musical sail to the wind.” Top
Jeannine "GiGi" Wiggins - Lead Vocals
GiGi (Jeannine) is a fantastic singer, as close to Chaka Khan as you can get. You have to hear this girl sing!
Jeannine is a former member of Body & Soul, and Velvet. Top
Max Rees - Guitar
Max Rees - Guitar (more soon) Welcome Back Max.
John Linn - Bass & Vocals
Grammy nominated producer, John Linn, comes from a large family of musicians,
and has performed and recorded music professionally for over 30 years. John’s
indisputable funky sensibility and keen sense for capturing the heart of song,
whether in the studio or live, has made him an invaluable asset to the music
community.
John has received many prestigious accolades over the years, including songwriting
awards, and the Billboard chart topping, Grammy nominated record Motown Comes
Home - a gospel project that included artist such as the Temptations, Stevie Wonder,
Smokey Robinson, and legendary producer Frank Wilson.
John founded Get Together Music, a musical production company that focuses
on positive, meaningful music, supporting community collaboration and social
mindfulness. He was also the musical director, composer/producer and bass player
for the band LINN which featured Mary and Margaret Linn. LINN made its mark in
the local and national music scene with a focus on positive and inspiring lyrics, a
funky back beat, always with the hope to uplift the listener.
John has also played and recorded with a variety of local and national artist
including: Nu Shooz, Gino Vannelli, Robert Palmer, David Pack (of Ambrosia), Tom
Grant, Jay Bird Koder, Patrick Lamb, Michael Bard, Shirley Nanette, Calvin Walker,
Michael Baker, Tim Bryson, Body and Soul, Dick Nicolas (Kingsmen), Tracey Harris,
Nathaniel Phillips, Bruce Carter, Rusty Cox, and Gary Ogen among others.
John is back on his first love – the bass guitar and is inspired to be part of the
Soul Vaccination group. To hear more about his music visit: myspace.com/
gettogethermusic
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Louis Pain - Louis Pain Hammond B-3 / KBDS
Louis has played with many great artists locally and nationally to name a few: Paul deLay Curtis Salgado Lloyd Jones Robben Ford Soloman Burke Bernard Purdie Pinetop Perkins Mel Brown Linda Hornbuckle.
A little more from Louis himself: Back in my Bay Area days, I worked regularly with some well-known musicians based down there. Those included Bruce Conte, Jules Broussard, and Cornelius Bumpus. None of those musicians are well-known to many Portlanders, but the folks they worked with are (Tower of Power, Santana, Steely Dan and the Doobie Bros). I also recorded with Dorothy Morrison, lead vocalist with the Edwin Hawkins Singers on "Oh Happy Day." That was pretty cool. And I worked with some soul bands that are known to fans of obscure Bay Area funk. Those groups included Marvin Holmes & the Uptights, Eugene Blacknell & the New Breed, and Johnny Talbert & the Thangs. They don't make band names like that anymore, do they? :-) Louis Pain www.LouisPain.com. Top
Edwin Coleman III - Drums and Vocals
Edwin comes from a musical family. His mother is a vocalist who has performed with Jimmy Durante, Gene Kelly, and Johnny Mathis. His father has performed, toured and recorded with artists such as Cal Tjader, Peter,Paul, and Mary, Vince Guaraldi, Buddy De Franco, Pete Escovedo, and the Kingston Trio. His brother is a professional bassist who recently returned to Eugene from Los Angeles.
Edwin studied piano for several years at an early age and then began studying and performing on the cello for 12 years eventually performing with the University of Oregon Symphony.
Drumming was always an instrument he played and enjoyed from a very early age but never studied formally besides some lessons from his father. At the age of 19, his father hired him to play his first "paying gig" (on drums) with his trio. After that gig, Edwin decided to concentrate on playing the drums.
Since that first gig, he has performed with many groups with a wide variety of styles and has performed at Lincoln Center (NYC) with an all-star Gospel Choir as well as the famed Baked Potato night club in Los Angeles. He has also performed with Charles Neville ( Neville Bro's), and Grammy-Award winning saxophonist David Murray. Along with Soul Vaccination, he performs with the Jazz trio WE-3. His musical influences are, Cal Tjader, Willie Bobo, Ramon "Mongo" Santamaria, Bruce Carter, and Stewart Copeland. Top
Timothy Bryson Bari/Alto Saxophones
Timothy Bryson- Baritone/Alto Saxophones Timothy has been playing professionally for 28 years and has performed with and/or recorded for many local and national bands, and artists.
National acts Timothy has performed with: The Four Tops, The Spinners, Mary Wilson and the Supremes, Frankie Valli, The Temptations, Frankie Avalon, Fabian, Bobby Rydell...
Regionally, Timothy has performed with and or recorded for: The Portland Jazz Orchestra, The N.W. Tribute to Ray Charles, Patrick Lamb, Linda Hornbuckle, Curtis Salgado, Rubberneck, Terry Robb, The Sandin Wilson Group, The Swingline Cubs, Salmon Dave, Body and Soul, The Linn Sisters, Steve Cannon and the Blowhard Big Band, The Dave Mills/Carlton Jackson Big Band, Calvin Walker, Lily Wilde Orchestra, The Disciples in Song, Versus, etc.
Recorded commercials for: Nike, Portland Trail Blazers, Fred Meyer, LaRog’s Jewelers, Amtrak, KGW Television, and ESPN National Television appearances: The Today Show, The Pat Sajak Show, and ESPN. His solo album “Playground” - a mix of jazz and soul - with a little latin and rock thrown in, was released in 2003 and can be found at CD Baby, iTunes, Napster etc.
Timothy is also the Jazz Program Director for the award winning Riverdale High School Jazz Band, as well as the Middle School Jazz Band. He also carries a full schedule of teaching woodwinds privately.
Timothy Resides with his wife Lynn in Portland, Oregon.
http://www.timothybryson.com
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Gary Harris - Alto and Tenor Sax
EDUCATION: Grant High School 1969-73 National Stage Band Camps, summer 1971-72 Portland State University 1973-76 Berklee College of Music 1977-78 Private Study with Tom Anastas(Berklee), Eddy Flenner
PERFORMANCE: I have been performing since 1970 and have appeared in most major cities in the U.S. and Canada, as well as cities in Japan and Mexico. I performed at the Panafest festival in Ghana, West Africa in 1994 with Obo Addy. I have also appeared with: The Leroy Vinnegar Quartet(1995-99), The Temptations The Four Tops Lou Rawls Little Milton(Japan tour) ZZ Hill Ernie Watts Harry Blackstone Mel Brown George Benson Max Roach Lew Tabackin Toshiko Akiyoshi Curtis Salgado Bobby Vinton The Oregon Symphony Orchestra
RECORDINGS: Soundtracks: The California Raisins(Atlantic) The Little Prince(Will Vinton) Advertising: Meier and Frank, Fred Meyer, George Moreland CDs/Albums: Leroy Vinnegar Obo Addy Terry Robb Ralph Archenhold Calvin Walker, the Kicks Band Ronnie Robins and BosSamba the Portland Saxophone Quartet Dale Van Wormer Gordon Lee
FILM AND VIDEO SCORING: Corporate/Industrial: Tenneco Corp. (Fruit Master)/Rod Mick Films, Intel Corp(9600EX Modem, Audio Telephony Board)/Patrick Makins Productions Mt. Hood Meadows/Tyee Productions Feature Films: Bad Trip/Motion Pictures Internationial Fatal Revenge/ROK Pictures
CURRENT: I teach privately at my studio, Uptown Music, where I have been since 1984. I am now performing with Soul Vaccination, Obo Addy and Kukrudu, the Portland Saxophone Quartet, the Carlton Jackson/Dave Mills Big Band, and various groups of my own. Current recordings include "Heart Made of Steel"(Terry RobbBurnside Records), "Integrity" (Leroy Vinnegar-Jazz Focus),"Alive and Kickin"(Kicks Band-Seabreeze Jazz), "Flying Dream"(Gordon Lee Big Band),and "Wonche Bi" (Obo Addy). Top
Mary Sue Tobin - Tenor Sax & Flute
Ms. Tobin is a Portland based saxophonist/composer and educator. She is a regular performer in the NW area and has played professionally with musicians and groups of all genres, both local and national, including The Temptations, The Four Tops, Pointer Sisters, Johnny Mathis, Glen Moore's Oregon Ensemble, Cubaneo, Darrell Grant, Thara Memory, Flatland, Carlton/Jackson Big Band, Pete Petersen, Art Abrams Swing Machine, George Reinmiller Big Band, Dub Squad, Esperanza Spalding, D.K. Stewart, Andre St. James, Caliente, the Instigators, Johnny Legend, Chris Newman and recently finished performing in the Portland Center Stage production of Cabaret.
Ms. Tobin currently performs with the Oregon Symphony Pops, Portland Jazz Orchestra, Andrew Oliver Sextet, Portland Jazz Composers' Ensemble, Lily Wilde Orchestra, Paxselin Quartet, Diatic Records Collective, The Quadraphonnes, The PDX Saxophone Quartet, Swamp Cactus and many others.
She has appeared on numerous local and national recordings for a variety of groups, including recent releases on Diatic Records with Andrew Oliver Sextet and Paxselin Quartet.
MST, as she is known to colleagues and friends, received her Masters of Music in Saxophone Performance from Portland State University in 2005, where she served as the Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Jazz Studies Department from 2003-2005. MST also holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from Portland State where she was a Laurel Scholarship recipient. Other educational experiences include time spent at Berklee College of Music, the University of Oregon and the 2003 Banff International Jazz Performance workshop (under the supervision of Dave Douglas, John Abercrombie, Mark Turner and Jason Moran). Former teachers include; Rob Scheps, Rob Davis, Scott Hall, Warren Rand, Carl Woideck, Alan Jones and Darrell Grant.
MST has performed at numerous jazz festivals including: The Portland Jazz Festival (w/Portland Jazz Orchestra, Diatic Collective, Andrew Oliver Sextet, Paxselin Quartet and Quadraphonnes in 2007, Mark DiFlorio and Company/2005, Esperanza Spalding/2006), The Banff International Jazz Festival, the Vancouver Wine and Cheese Jazz Festival, the First Annual Alberta St. Jazz Festival and the Mt. Hood Jazz Festival. She has performed numerous times on Homegrown Live (KMHD's live radio show) and has toured internationally with a variety of artists. She can be seen in the Twentieth Century Fox release, "Hear No Evil" (featuring Marlee Matlin and Martin Sheen) alongside bandmates from Dub Squad.
MST is also an active music educator; adjudicating at solo festivals, teaching saxophone pedagogy at Portland State University and teaching privately in addition to maintaining a full studio of students at Beacock's Music Education Center in Vancouver, WA. She lives in SE Portland, where she plays and teaches music all the time. www.myspace.com/marysuetobin Top
Lewis Livermore - Trumpet and Flugelhorn
Lewis has been playing professionally in the Portland area since the 1970s. From funk to salsa to swing and show bands he has performed and recorded with some of Portland’s premier groups.
While with Grammy nominated Nu Shooz, he made appearances on American Bandstand and Solid Gold, receiving a gold album for recording on “Poolside”. He also performed with Salmon Dave/Body and Soul on The Today Show and the Pat Sajak Show. Pepe and the Bottle Blondes, Linda Hornbuckle, The Crazy Eights and Quarterflash are just a few more great bands he has played with. Suzanne Sommers, Mary Wilson, and Frankie Valli and the Four Tops are among the artists he has performed with.
From theater pit orchestra to trumpet caller at the Multnomah Kennel Club – time outs with the Portland Trailblazers (one of the Blazer Brothers!) to the Montreal Jazz Festival with Pepe, Lewis always brings a highly spirited performance. Top
Dave Mills - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, & Arranger.
Horn arranger, band leader, & roadie. Dave has performed with: Curtis Salgado Band, The Ray Charles Tribute, Partick Lamb Band, The Kicks Band, Terry Robb, Gordon Lee's Gleeful Big Band, and The Carlton Jackson/Dave Mills Big Band, to name a few.
He has recorded with and/or arranged for: Curtis Salgado, Stephanie Schneiderman, Terry Robb, Robert O'Hearn, Timothy Foote, Paragon Cable Firstcom / Deep Sea Music, The Esquires, Slowtrain.