What happens when four top-shelf musicians with decades of experience get together for something new? Almost anything!
Seth Rosen (5 and 8 string electric mandolin, vocals) has played in a variety of bands and genres for over 30 years. He's known in the Cleveland area for his guitar work with Gene's Jazz Hot (swing era jazz), his guitar, mandolin and vocals with The Suspenders (jump blues/roots rock), mandolin with "Crazy Rhythm" (western swing) and many sessions and recordings including most recently with jazz singer Nan O'Malley and folk singer Deborah Van Kleef. He has performed with a diverse list of nationally known artists including: Keter Betts, Rusty Mason, Bross Townsend, Howard Armstrong, Peggy Seeger, Rosalie Sorrells, Si Kahn, Liz Masterson, Sean Blackburn,Ann Rabson and Andy Stein. He is also a nationally known teacher of jazz and blues mandolin as part of the swing and blues weeks staff at the Augusta Heritage Center summer programs in Elkins WV.
Ray DeForest (upright bass) is always in demand. Walk into any club in Cleveland that has live music and there is pretty good chance that Ray is the bass player. He works frequently with the jump blues band Blue Lunch , the jazz band ACO and many roots group including "The First String Band" and "Crossties". He is a Roots of American Music artist who performs in schools frequently and teaches private students.
Rich Roberts (drums) was the cool jungle beat behind the legendary chi-pig coming out of Akron Ohio in the 70s. He has played with a variety of bands including most recently "The Paper Crowns" and The Suspenders.
Tom Shaper (Electric guitar,vocals) has performed with many musical legends including Johnny Johnson and Bill Kirchen. Tom is a founding member of Cleveland's Backup Band as well as the leader of his own group, "Tom Shaper and the Mature Individuals" which often includes Ray and occaisionally Seth.
The Sethro Quartet plays private parties, festivals and special events along with occaisional club dates.
The song "Alta Vista" was written by Seth's son Josh Rosen for the Sethro Quartet but the recording is of Josh (guitars, percussion) and Seth (mandolin and upright bass).
"Perdido" was recorded live by the Sethro Quintet (Seth Rosen mando, Peter Ecklund Trumpet, Steve Abshire Guitar, Ralph Gordon Bass, John Greeley drums) at Augusta Heritage "Swing Week" concert in 2005. Seth will be back at Augusta Heritage Center this summer (2009).
