Contamos’ lead singer, Michela Macfarlane
stepped out of her world as an international baroque soprano into the
land of jazz and folk in 2004 with guitarist Marc Bernasconi and the
release of their CD You Call it Madness. In 2007, she joined forces with renowned jazz pianist Bob Schlesinger and released a second CD of eclectic standards entitled Here and There.
Since joining the Tour Guides and Cantamos in 2008, Michela has
exponentially increased her exploration of musical genres by singing
current pop, rock, early jazz, and Bossa Nova. She particularly delights
in spinning out phrases in Portuguese and Spanish and is eager to bring
Italian and French into the mix. Join CCAC on July 31 at Camps Restaurant, Greenhorn Creek Golf Resort in Angels Camp from 6:30 - 8:00 pm. Order dinner from Camps or bring a picnic lunch.
Ron Schaner
was born in Long Beach, California in 1953 and he came to Calaveras
County in 1974 on a camping trip and has never left. His substantial
influence on the local music scene began in the 1980s when he played
bass in the rock band, Synergy. In 1995 he formed The Victims of
Variety, an eclectic folk group. In 2002, he was rhythm guitarist for
local favorites, The Space Heaters. The Tour Guides emerged from that
band in 2007 under Ron's direction, and Cantamos sprung seamlessly from
there.
Jerry Solberg
plays keyboards and adds vocals to the mix. He was born into a musical
family and began playing at age 5. Growing up in Richland, Washington,
Jerry jammed with classmate and future jazz guitar great Larry Coryell.
Jerry went on to play in rock, funk, jazz and blues bands that toured
alongside legendary artists such as Spencer Davis, Steppenwolf, Tower of
Power, and The Righteous Brothers.
Fred Treece
was born in Lorain, Ohio in 1956 and began playing guitar at age 13.
His professional career began in the San Francisco Bay Area in the early
1980s, and he was lead guitarist with various regional country rock
band favorites. Since 1994, he has toured regularly with Stockton-based Joni Morris and the After Midnight Band, which features a tribute to Patsy Cline. He joined with Ron Schaner to form The Tour Guides in late 2007.
Sam Nilsen
has loved being loud for over 35 years. Sam picked up "the sticks" in
Jr. High and hasn't put them down. From Irish Rock in Germany to
Electric Zowie in Bear Valley California, Sam's musical path has been
long and winding. He has been seen and heard playing with Ebbetts Pass
area musicians since 1992. Since 2007, he has been driving the sound of
both the Tour Guides and Cantamos.
Erin Ross
is a talented and expressive vocalist in a wide range of styles, Erin
brings a strong sense of emotion to everything she sings. She has spent
many years performing and recording throughout California and has been a
part of countless musical collaborations. Erin is also a successful
author.
To
get to Camps Restaurant at Greenhorn Creek Resort in Angels Camp Take
Highway 4 west out of Angels Camp and turn left on Angel Oaks Drive.
Turn Right on McCauley Ranch Road. Follow around to Camps Restaurant.
Next up is Dyemusica, a Reggae-Roots-Rock band playing at Rail Road Flat
School on August 7. For a downloadable schedule of Music in the Parks and other events presented by the Calaveras Arts Council, go to www.calaverasarts.org or call (209) 754-1774.
