Amber Epp

Bio:

Amber Epp is a vocalist, pianist, and percussionist in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She began classical piano and vocal training in elementary school, continuing through high school, performing in choirs and musicals. However, Amber only became seriously interested in jazz following a yearlong trip to Australia in 2004. Back in Winnipeg, she saw Steve Kirby, Larry Roy, and Alvin Atkinson Jr. perform at the Cool Monday Night Hang where she discovered her passion for improvised music. In 2005, Amber entered the University of Manitoba, where she was accepted for both classical piano and jazz voice. Since then, she has been developing her craft and taking full advantage of Winnipeg’s burgeoning jazz scene. The University of Manitoba's Jazz Program has provided a wealth of knowledge, opportunities, and experiences for Amber. Through the University, Amber has been able to study regularly with Steve Kirby, Anna-Lisa Kirby, Larry Roy, Ken Gold, and Terreon Gully. The U of M Summer Jazz Camp and the new Jazz Studies program’s many visiting artists have extended those learning experiences, and given her an opportunity to benefit from master-classes and coaching by some of the most accomplished jazz musicians in the world, including Stefon Harris, Victor Goines, Steve Turre, Christian McBride, Steve Wilson, and many others. In the past couple of years, Amber has been making her mark on the Winnipeg music scene. She performs with the city's top musicians, as a sideman and more recently as a leader. The Amber Epp Quartet consists of Keith Price on guitar, Julian Bradford on bass, and Curtis Nowosad on drums, all first-call musicians who’ve studied and worked together. Together they bring fresh energy to standards and original repertoire, performing at many of Winnipeg’s major jazz events, including the Groove-FM Jazz Winnipeg Festival, Jazz on the Rooftop, and Mardi Jazz. Amber is a member of Papa Mambo, and she performs regularly with Brazilian musician Marco Castillo and Mozambiquan musician Casimiro Nhussi. She has been a featured artist with the Ron Paley Big Band and Steve Kirby's Oceanic Jazz Orchestra, and makes her debut with the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra in April 2009, sharing the bill with Cuban pianist, Hilario Durán. Amber has had several recent recording opportunities. In March 2008, she led an ensemble of University of Manitoba students in a recording for CBC's Canada Live: Music Mondays. In January 2009, CBC recorded Papa Mambo’s Jazz Under the Rooftop, a concert that will be broadcast as part of their Canada Live: Concerts on Demand series. She recorded the title track of Brazilian Season, a CD by Marco Castillo released in May of 2008. Currently, Amber is collaborating with Casimiro Nhussi of Mozambique on a record of original African-Canadian music. Amber is motivated by a genuine passion for learning, and she has dedicated time and study to her art form. With her agile voice, her pleasure in improvising, and her fluency in a broad range of jazz stylings (and languages), she can hold an audience spellbound. She brings her creativity and infectious energy to every performance—and audiences are responding in kind! ..

Member Since:

May 22, 2007

Members:

"Equipoise" - Amber Epp, Larry Roy, Steve Kirby, Will Bonness, Curtis Nowasad. "What is this thing called love?" - Amber Epp, Will Bonness, Steve Kirby, Curtis Nowasad, Chuck McClelland. "Victory" - Trio Bembe. "Sin miedo" - Trio Bembe. "Thrill is Gone" - Amber Epp, Sam Chrol, Will Bonness, Karl Kohut, Curtis Nowasad (recorded for CBC).

Influences:

Anna-Lisa Kirby, Steve Kirby, Larry Roy, Marco Castillo, Rodrigo Muñoz, Victor Lopez, Jimmy Greene, Winnipegers, Dianne Reeves, Nnenna Freelon, Gretchen Parlato, Sara Tavares, Astrud Gilberto, Elis Regina, Tom Jobim, Claudia Acuna, Kurt Elling, Esperanza Spalding, Lou Rawls, Etta Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Louis Armstrong. Marcus Printup, Wycliffe Gordon, Stefon Harris, Christian McBride, Terreon Gulley, Cyrus Chestnut, Bill Evans, Taylor Eigsti, Wynton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker.

Sounds Like:

Just how God made me

Record Label:

Trio Bembe CD avail at www.cdbaby.com