The Panache Orchestra

Music:

Member Since: 10/3/2006
Band Website: www.panacheorchestra.com
Band Members: PANACHE BIOS

MEMBERS " "

MySpace Codes CHI "MR. GROOVE" SAITO

Chi "Mr. Groove" Saito - Drums/Percussion, Bass, Elect. and Acoustic Guitars

Chi Saito is a veteran career musician/multi-instrumentalist from Tokyo, Japan. As his nickname indicates, he is specialized in laying down deep, driving grooves in the tradition of Ringo Starr, Charlie Watts and John Bonham with an unshakably steady meter. He is unique in that he doubles equally competently on drums and bass, giving him a profound understanding of how the two instruments interact in an ensemble, in addition to his strong understanding of harmony and song structure derived from being an accomplished guitarist as well. His latest recording credits include work with members of Three Dog Night and the Doobie Brothers.

He has played music since he was very young, and got his first professional gig at age 15 playing bass with the house show band in a Tokyo cabaret. He moved on to various Tokyo nightclubs playing guitar, bass and drums. He began composing and music directing for TV commercials by the time he was 18, moving into composing sound tracks for TV programs, and by age 20, began teaching bass, guitar and drums, as well as voice coaching. By his mid-20’s, he was backing renowned artists on national tours throughout Japan on all three instruments. After a brief retreat from performing to focus on developing his own original sound and style, he joined forces with violinist/bassist/composer Brenda K and formed his own group, “theXiles”. He is a charismatic player, invariably attracting fans wherever and with whomever he performs, whether his own music, or other artists’.

In 2004 he relocated to the southern California area where he quickly established himself, performing at well-known venues and touring nationwide. He is currently based in the central Los Angeles area backing various local artists, often as a backline team with his wife Brenda K, and is in the process of launching his own ensemble, “theXiles”, a violin-guitar duo that performs his own original compositions.

Musical Styles: Rock (Blues, British, Classic, Country, West Coast, etc.), Classic Blues, Country/Roots, Pop, R&B, Funk, Latin and Jazz

Influences: Jim Keltner and Klaus Voorman (John Lennon); Steve Gadd (Clapton); various others

Videos from debut performance of Charley P featuring Chi on bass!



MySpace Codes Brenda K

Brenda K - Violin, Viola and Electric Bass

Brenda K has performed numerous recitals and concerts, both as solo violinist and ensemble leader/member, and recorded on a number of projects sharing credits with (former) members of Weather Report, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Thin Lizzy, and others. She has been performing professionally since the age of 15 both internationally and in her native USA. In addition to her strong foundation in classical music, she is familiar with diverse musical idioms.

During her recent seven-year residency in Tokyo, Japan, she co-founded four performing ensembles, including two classical string chamber ensembles, an acoustic violin-guitar duo, and a pop fusion band in addition to assisting with the set-up and management of the performance venue, "Asagaya Drum".

Her main instrument is violin, and she also plays viola and bass guitar, as well as vocals. She currently performs regularly with her violin/guitar duo “theXiles", including work as a backline team with Chi Saito supporting various L.A.-based artists; and as a side musician (Irish-style fiddle and bass) with the ensemble "Raggle Taggle" featuring dancers and musicians from international touring ensembles "RiverDance" and "Lord of the Dance" CLICKHERE ; fills in on Celtic fiddle and bass for international act "The Clachan Boys" (see friend space below); and plays violin and bass with San Diego-based ensemble "Le Jazz Hot" (various styles: jazz, swing and bossa nova standards, blues, rock, etc.) in addition to one-time appearances at various events as well as musical theatre engagements.

Musical Styles: classical, Celtic, chanson, country, blues, pop, rock, world

Brenda K with Mike Stewart (Raggle Taggle duo) at Hensley’s Flying Elephant (See our friend space below)

More video footage featuring Brenda K will be edited and uploaded soon



MySpace Codes Panache Management

Gureyo Saito, Music Director

Gureyo is a freakishly smart, extraordinarily musically gifted kitty, possibly a reincarnation of Buddy Rich or Charlie Mingus. As her nickname "The Suck-o-Meter Kitty" implies, she stringently supervises rehearsals and makes sure that the groove is just right, and has been known to attack players who suck. When not engaged in the above, she is raising hell playing "Go Kitty Go!" with her little brother Jaco.

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Jaco P. Saito, Vice President, PR

Jaco, with his "take charge" attitude and friendly, outgoing disposition, is a natural choice for our PR V.P.
Influences: Vast and varied - we'll get around to listing them someday....

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Sounds Like: An eclectic blend of influences greater than the sum of its parts, combining a wide array of musical styles and a vast amount of life experience stretching around the globe (and some would argue beyond it). Founded in a unique mix of traditional classical and rock 'n roll roots.

XILE PERFORMANCE VIDEOS

All songs © 2008 – all rights reserved

MySpace Codes Japanese Songs



Record Label: L.A. Downtown Music
Type of Label: Indie