CHUCK SCHIELES QUATRO & COLIN ABERDEEN

LIVE AT UNITY HALL

8PM ~ SATURDAY, MARCH 22

Quatro's sound exists somewhere between the deserts of New Mexico and the rings of Saturn. It's exotic and unlikely yet familiar. It is beautiful yet haunting. Chuck Schiele writes songs about God, sex, politics and uses alternate-tunings to arrange them... rock, Americana, with an emphasis on whatever.

As a guitarist his approach drives the group's energy while also behaving as a percussive instrument. As a vocalist his voice is weathered and textured while uniquely stylized.

Heather Kubacki is the dynamite voice behind the dynamite smile, also playing cello. A hallmark feature of the group is their effortless and ambitious approach to vocal harmony. Add the otherworldly pedal steel of George Newton; and the double bass virtuosity of John Dancks —and the mix becomes less of a set of music and more of a ride.

Formed organically by way of 4 people crossing paths in time. Schiele and Dancks were already working together in the group Salt City Chill and other spinoffs of the group. John Dancks (SAMMY Hall-of-Famer) and George Newton are both long time members of the Central New York scene. But they only managed to start playing together, recently — and now especially that they've become major factors in the unique Quatro sound.

Professor Schiele met student Heather Kubacki while teaching digital art as an adjunct professor at Cazenovia College. (She earned an "A!"). A few years later over a "let's-catch-up business lunch visit, Kubacki informed Schiele of her cello ability and was recruited into the unlikely mix, making the Quatro complete. A band that can't be pigeon-holed, Quatro augments inspired originals infused with influences from several genres and has the audacity to dive into cover songs you never heard coming!

As one music critic put it, "Chuck Schiele’s music reminds me of how good music used to sound, greats like Dire Straits would be big fans of Chuck Schiele. His music is textural and atmospheric while still being catchy and enjoyable. The use of violins and slow melodies brings an air of relaxation, while still rocking out."

Colin Aberdeen's low-down exuberance makes him a joy to all who play with him and all he plays for. A mainstay in the Syracuse music scene, Colin is a charter member of Los Blancos, The Westcott Jugsuckers, a regular in The Barking Loungers, plus he's one of the region's top solo performers.

Born in Australia and raised in England and New Jersey, Aberdeen appreciated and absorbed lots of different styles of music before finding his way to Syracuse in 1975. A highly favorable review of an opening slot performance he did at a Thorndon Park Earth Day celebration bolstered his resolve to pursue a life making music. That decision proved to be one that benefitted our entire region's music scene. We rescheduled this concert for its original date because we and the members of Quatro were so thrilled by the idea of this double bill.

From the first notes to the last, you will be, too!