The sounds and styles found in 20th Century Jazz vary in ethnicity, inspiration, and genre. Jazz has been a painting of vibrant color on the canvass of America, that reflects the struggles of the downtrodden, the joys of love, and the common grounds of mankind united in harmony.
Blended ethnicities are the construct of Jazz music, and this awareness is instilled in the members of the Bingo Pajamas. The Bingo Pajamas are a string jazz group (violin, bass & 2 guitars) based in Portland, Oregon. They are dedicated to playing styles of jazz ranging from Afro/Cuban rhythmic styles to harmonic scale patterns of Manousche (or Gypsy) playing popularized by Django Reinhardt & Stephane Grapelli.
The bands playlist encompasses a wide variety of early to late jazz standards, arrangements utilizing polyrhythms and overlapping meters, and a growing list of original compositions blending polyethnic music genres with swing.
The members come from all backgounds of styles including classical, jazz, blues, rock, bluegrass, and more.
With their fingers on the musical pulse of Portland, the Bingo Pajamas support an exciting move toward the popularity of jazz and ethnic music. With this idea in mind they have developed a collection of jazzy arrangements of international folk tunes, and have incorporated African and Latin/Cuban rhythms as a modification that makes the music fun and interesting. What's more: no drums!
The Bingo Pajamas can be found playing throughout the general Portland area venues, and are also available for parties, weddings, dances, etc. To contact the Bingo Pajamas, send us an email and Sonuqoiripssi Diopeil Ixyiyiyiyiyiy!!
Keep an eye out for our upcoming CD in July, 2002!!!!
Dennis Hitchcox (guitar)
Brent Geary (violin),
Chad Langford (bass)
Ripley (security)
Brent Geary: Didn't quite finish growing up near Buffalo, New York, and studied classical cello at SUNY in Fredonia in Western NY, when it dawned on him that it was actually a violin he was studying. Aided with only a piece of rebar for a bow, Brent quickly began improvising old-time fiddle, rock and folk. He has played with such bands as Jerk Bait, Stefane Gibson, & Al Kaida and the Tally Band. Brent's violent, knee-wobbling violin playing is now making its way into the Hot Club acoustic jazz scene. Brent is also a loving father, and a Black Sabbath fan.
Dennis Hitchcox: comes from Stow, Ohio and is by far the best-looking musician in the band. Girls line up from miles around just to watch Dennis "Superfly TNT" Hitchcox play those hot Django licks. His BA degree is in Music Composition from the Ohio State University, and he has written arrangements and compositions for jazz Big Bands as well as smaller jazz combos, rock bands, polka bands and rubber bands. Known as "Hitch" in the jazz circuit, Dennis continues his education of music through banging his head to Van Halen, spending quality time with groupies, and playing guitar and composing for the Bingo Pajamas.
Jeff Russel: The youngest member of the group, Jeff is a 3-time winner of the annual Oregon Testosterone Festival. He grew up near L.A. of all God-forsaken places, yet actually turned out somewhat normal. His guitar mastery was accomplished through his studies with Jerry Hahn, Thera Memory, Yoda and years of practicing with bands such as Hide Your Daughter, the Flatulant Flirts, and Chewbacca's In the Mulch Again. Jeff is a classically-trained chef and is also a loving father, who's passion for music takes him so much farther than he ever wanted to go with the Bingo Pajamas.
