Charles R. Brown Jr. - MUSIC DIRECTOR
Charles Brown has been musical director of !zing since its beginning in 2003. Brown has primarily worked in the Portland, Maine region as a freelance musician and bandleader, teacher, church musician, composer and arranger. He is the organist and music director at Christ Church in Kennebunk. Brown wrote and arranged the music for the Stone Pinhead Ensemble's full length musical, JESUS AND THE PIRATES (book and lyrics by J.T. Nichols), performed at the St. Lawrence Arts Center in May, 2010. He was musical director for OLIVER! with the ADAM School in Biddeford (March, 2010), and will be directing a local production of LIGHTHOUSE in Camden in September.
Lincoln Bedrosian - Tenor
Musically speaking, if Lincoln Bedrosian isn't singing with !Zing, he's playing guitar and singing as part of his group Lincoln Continental. Or playing lead guitar and singing with the party rock band The Loose Screws. Or sometimes playing bass for the country stylings of Buck T. Edwards. Or exploring other musical adventures as they occur.
Tommy Bergier - Bass
Singing bass for !zing for eight years, Tommy returned from sales and has put all energies into singing. He enjoys performing the oldies and jazz tunes for the assisted living set. No website yet, but do get in touch at tbergier@roadrunner.com.
Gerard Bianco - Tenor
Jewelry designer, author of the award-winning novel, The Deal Master, lecturer, portrait painter/illustrator, father of two, tenor with that fabulous ensemble, !zing. His body of work can be seen at gerardbianco.com. The room was filled with the smell of stale cigarette smoke and cheap booze. She sat close to him; their legs and arms touching. A slight upturn at the ends of her lips hinted that she was going to stick around a while. Slowly, she parted her wet, ruby reds and in a voice that could melt an ice cube she purred, "Why don't you sing one for me, baby." Without hesitation, he leapt to the mike and . . .
Barbara Jean Bundy - Soprano
Barbara Jean (sop2) loves the unusual tunes and Charlie originals !zing gets to perform.
Barbara Cariddi - Soprano
Barbara is one of the original members of !zing, and lucky enough to still be singing with the most creative, big-hearted group of people in all the world. She joined for the opportunity to work with the great musician Charlie Brown Jr. and sing his original, soulful compositions. There is truly no better place to be on a Tuesday night.
Kathleen Egan - Alto
Kathleen grew up on Middle Road, and has willingly sung the inner voice all her life. She is a middle child. Kathleen thrives on her association with !zing. She plays piano, sings and writes songs for the band, tōast.
Annette Elowitch - Alto
Life was great before !zing. And now I'm so lucky to sing with the most creative and talented people and I have Charlie Brown to constantly inspire me. Catch me at annette@barridoff.com
Alan Fishman - Bass
Alan Fishman, new bass with !zing in 2010, but long time singer for pleasure. Loves oldies, jazz and pop. Also loves to sing Bobby Troup's musical version of the 3 Bears to his 7 grandchildren. The song and the kiddos rock!
Maggie Laughlin - Alto
I heard !zing sing a number of years ago at the St. Lawrence Arts Center and was so impressed that I pursued them until they let me join the rockin’ alto section! I’m honored to sing with such a talented group and, most important, to have such fun singing the unusual songs Charlie arranges and composes for us! Contact me at mlaughlin@maine.rr.com.
Kathie McCatherin - Soprano
Singing "It's A Small World" in her living room with her two sisters marked the beginning of Kathie's singing career. And now look where that got her! Kathie is a music teacher and vocalist with a varied musical career that has included music theater, solo, and ensemble work.
Jim McDonough - Tenor
Jim McDonough is a mild mannered software engineer by day and father of four. . . well, all of the time. He sneaks out every Tuesday night to sing tenor with !zing. In an effort to round out his discordant life, he gets in a game of old-timers' hockey whenever he can.
Ken Smith - Tenor
Ken Smith, tenor, has been with !zing for eight years. He is a practicing psychotherapist in Portland. He is also a commercial lobsterman who aspires to write poems/songs when time permits.
!zing - History and first CD, "in our own sweet time"
!zing began as do so many enjoyable encounters- around a kitchen table. It was the fateful Fall of 2001 when a group of friendly singers decided to form a chorus that was more jazz oriented and challenging than the other choices available in Portland, Maine. They decided on Charles R. Brown Jr. as music director, conductor, and pianist. Early rehearsals included songs by Lambert Hendricks and Ross and the Swingle Singers, and a number of Brown's arrangements and original songs. !zing began to attract a reputation as an interesting and creative sixteen voice group. Repertory was added to bit by bit and the group gained performing experience.
By 2005 it was clear that in order to expand their audience and performing opportunities !zing needed a recording which reflected their unique style. After some consideration John Stuart was selected as recording engineer; work commenced early in 2006 and continued for two years with Brown acting as producer. The project was complicated (fourteen singers and piano trio), the arrangements were tough; recording was done in a combination of live performance and individual parts. While the live, ambient group sound is employed for the a cappella version of Let It Be Me, Brown preferred a more present, close miced approach for the majority of the recordings. By utilizing the full resources of the modern recording studio !zing is placing itself closer to a pop vocal group sound than a traditional chorus, although the repertory retains elements of both.
!zing's artistic mission can be summed up by a quick scan of the tracks on the CD, "In our Own Sweet Time." The group combines classic vocal group sounds with updated takes on the unusual, the unknown, or the just plain quirky. Li'l Darlin' is a tribute to Neal Hefti, a pioneer in the early days of TV and stereophonic sound. The Neal Hefti singers original take of this song was background music at many a 1956 cocktail party. Up Jumped a Bird is songwriter Bob Dorough's swinging 5/4 celebration of Charlie Parker. Dorough also composed track five, Love, his clever setting of the dictionary. Both of these cuts are original arrangements by Brown, who also wrote the smart aleck Bad Attitude Song. Hey There Lonely Boy is !zing's affectionate take on this great song, and its doowop heritage. Down for Double is classic Lambert Hendricks and Ross, Let it Be Me an original arrangement in the a cappella style. Surf's Up is taken from the Beach Boys circa 1970; the song represents both Brian Wilson's great personal torment and artistic achievement. The final song, As Long As You're Living, is associated with Oscar Brown Jr. and more recently with singer Karen Allison.The combination of interesting material and arrangement with the cool performance is what !zing is all about. If you enjoy this music please keep in touch with us by attending our performances and leaving your e-mail address for further communication.