Mistura Bela - About Our Two Groups

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Mistura Bela Band

Barbara Ernst

Guitar, Vocals

Born in Canada, Barbara Ernst grew up listening and dancing to the swing music of the 1920’s – 40’s (following the example of her parents – avid dancers). Studying piano as a child, she switched to guitar later, and made her way to the West Coast – first the Bay Area, and then Seattle, where she was greatly influenced by the music scene there in the 1980’s – becoming well-versed in swing/jazz standards.

Over the last 30 years Barbara has traveled in Asia, Africa, and predominantly Latin America, collecting music from the various countries & playing with musicians along the way. She has performed in clubs in Mexico, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil. She has also participated twice in the Winter Music Festival in Sao Joao del Rei, Brazil. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, she sings with true authenticity the romantic Spanish ballads and Brazilian Sambas & Bossa Novas, and brings her own unique touch to some of our Jazz Standards.

Barbara has performed in Colorado Springs & along the front range since 1999 and in Denver since 2014. Venues include: The Broadmoor Hotel, Adams Mark Hotel, the Fine Arts Center’s Deco Lounge, Cucuru Gallery, Rico's Cafe & Wine Bar, The Denver Art Museum, Vine street Pub & Grille in Denver. In May of 2010 the sextet performed--headlining-- at the Estes Park jazz Festival's 20th Anniversay.

The group, Mistura Bela (Beautiful Mixture) can be hired in a variety of configurations from Barbara, solo, up to a 6-piece ensemble.

The CD, April Child, released in 2010 is on Circle 504 Records label, Visit Website

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Barbara has had the privilege of working with some of the area’s finest musicians.

In Denver: Kim Bird, Jean Luc Davis, *Ken Walker, (bassists);

*Raoul Rossiter, Jill Fredericksen (drums); *Bill Kopper (guitar). {*featured on CD}

Core Members

Luke Tripp

Violin, Mandolin, Pandeiro

Luke began studying violin as a child in a very musical community of Brazil & was influenced by his friend, Brazilian guitarist, Diego Figueiredo, and also drummer, Alex Reis, who now tours with Cirque du Soleil. His performing career started In Brazil, when he was young, while touring with the largest circus troupe in South America. He arrived in the US in 2007 and soon after began performing with Barbara. He spent 7 years touring nationally with the Colo Springs Flying W Wranglers, sharing the stage with greats such as Charlie Daniels. He has played with several prominent musicians in the CO music scene, including Charlie Hall & Wheezer fingerpicking champs: Adam Gardino & Phil Volan.

Marc Neihof

Bass

Marc studied at the Peabody Conservatory & Graduated from the University of Miami in Music Performance. When he joined the Colorado Springs Symphony in 1993, he soon became an active force in the Colorado jazz scene. He has played or recorded with Arturo Sandoval, Herb Ellis, Ron Miles, Gene Bertoncini, Dave Valentine, Phil Berlin, George Colligan, Keith Oxman, and Joe Bonner. He has also toured internationally, performing regularly in China as well as in Dubai and India.

Ed Hureau

SAX, FLUTE, PERCUSSION, VOCALS

Ed Hureau is the former leader & arranger of the United States Air Force Academy “Falconaires” jazz band. He has played with the Colo Springs Symphony, the Fine Arts Center Theatre & the USAFA Concert Band. Some of the highlights in his performing career include working with: Bob Hope, Wayne Newton, Andy Williams, Bernadette Peters, the Temptations, Frank Sinatra Jr, the Miracles, Frankie Vallie, among others. He plays alto, tenor & bari sax, clarinet, and flute.

Jill Fredericksen

Drums, percussion

Jill holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Performance from the University of Denver. Jill has performed In the Denver area since the mid 80s. Fluent in Jazz & Latin styles, she has played with Bill Kopper, Carmen Sandim, Larry Coryell, Marvin Stamm, Red Rodney, Bill Watrous, Ken Walker and has recorded albums with Lee Konitz, Spike Robinson, Ellyn Rucker, and Brad Terry. She is also a fundamental part of Denver's Gamelan ensemble, Tunas Mekar. She has traveled to Bali several times to study & perform with traditional masters.