The 2006 XIREN Live Band
(Click
on a person or scroll down to see bios)
 |
biography |
| Benjamin Jansen has studied music
since age 9 in voice, piano, trombone, and other instruments
along the way. During his teens be began studying and playing
primarily jazz, and at age 16 he began performing professionally
on all instruments and voice, and began playing in a host
of different jazz, jazz fusion and funk groups. He has studied
jazz piano with such greats as Art Lande and Joanne Brackeen
as well as earning scholarships to and attending the Berkeley
College of Music. He has performed, composed and arranged
extensively in jazz, jazz fusion, funk, soul, including co-creating
the funk/soul powerhouse Opie Gone Bad which he was with
for 5 years. He is currently co-producer of Xiren, where
he plays keyboards, back up vocals, and continues to compose
and arrange. |
| contact |
ben@xiren.net
www.Xiren.net/Ben |
 |
biography |
| Joshua Skelton began as a performing
and competing classical trumpet player, winning first place
at state competition three of his four high school years.
He joined Indianapolis’ New World Orchestra at age 17,
at age 19 he moved to Evansville where he performed with
the University of Evansville Orchestra (as principle player)
and members of the Evansville Philharmonic. He began honing
his skills as a guitarist when he moved back to Indianapolis
to study at Butler University. While at Butler University,
Joshua also studied techniques of classical and Jazz performance
and composition, electronic music, film music, vocal and
jazz arranging. He studied privately with Michael Schelle
(composer and author of The Score: Interviews with Film Composers),
Frank Felice (orchestral and electronic composer), Mark Buselli
(Indianapolis jazz composer and performer) and with clinicians
including Chris Duarte, Chick Corea, Dave Burton, Take 6,
Christopher Young (film composer, credits include “Urban
Legends,” the “Species” and “Hellraiser” films
and “The Man Who Knew Too Little”). In March of
2000 Joshua relocated to Denver and began performing and
recording as a professional guitarist, producer and arranger. |
| contact |
| JoshuaSkelton.com |
 |
biography |
Brian McRae is a professional studio
and touring drummer/percussionist based in Boulder, Colorado.
He attended the prestigious University of North Texas and
earned a Bachelor's degree in Business while immersed in
the music program. In 1993 Brian began a full time career
touring and recording with artists like Sherri Jackson, The
Freddy Jones Band and Sally Taylor to name a few. Brian has
performed on stage with a variety of icons as well as other
national artists. He recorded on tracks with Maceo Parker,
Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, John Medeski, Steve Berlin, Glenn
Tilbert etc.
In addition to his band credits, Brian stays busy as a session drummer
for commercial clients including Ford, McDonalds and Dish Network.
Chances are if you watch TV or listen to radio, you have already
heard some of Brian's work. |
| contact |
| DrumOverDubs.com |
 |
biography |
| Scott’s philosophy on his instrument
is simple. “I harmonize elements of melody, groove
and touch to create my foundation for the artist I’m
backing up. My priority is to pay no attention to myself
and give my undivided attention to my surrounding instrumentalists.
I’m a firm believer in using the bass as a supportive
role in music.” After the release of his bass guitar
demonstration CD, “Fragments,” Scott has grown
to be one of Denver’s most in demand “on call” bassists.
He has appeared on numerous local recordings, has toured
the US and Europe with different groups, and has had played
for several major releases. Scott uses Modulus, Fender and
Ernie Ball Basses. Gear includes Ampeg and Gallian Krueger
amplification and Eden speaker enclosures. |
| contact |
| ScottBugher.com |
 |
biography |
| Jessie grew up in Packer country
near the banks of the Fox River in De Pere, Wisconsin. She
began studying classical violin at age 9. She has played
violin and viola with the University of Milwaukee Symphony
and the University of Colorado, Boulder Symphony. In 1993,
Jessie transitioned from classical to rock music as a founding
member of the popular Boulder band Sponge Kingdom. She spent
the next several years touring nationally and recording with
the band. More recently she has performed and recorded with
a variety of artists including eleven2go, Durt, Vermicious
Knids, Tunnel 6, and Brethren Fast. Jessie is not a fan of
country music yet she enjoys People Magazine and a tasty
crème brulee. |
| contact |
|
|
 |
biography |
Since
appearing on the Denver music scene in 1990, Kenny James
has been one of the most in demand and accomplished drummers/musicians
in the state.
Kenny has recorded and toured nationally
with a plethora of artists including George Clinton (funk), Klayton Scott’s
Celldweller (industrial metal), The Samples (pop), Nina Storey (blues pop), Judge
Roughneck (ska), United Dope Front (instrumental acid jazz), and many more. Kenny
has, and continues to produce artists as well, such as Suffer Structure (metal),
Stranger Neighbor (pop), and Apostle (hip hop). He has even made himself known
as a songwriter and is putting those skills to the test with this solo project
called The Witching Hour (website: www.thewitchinghour.net) in which he is the
sole “member”, songwriter, studio performer, and producer (similar
to the operations of Lenny Kravitz, Prince, and Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails).
The fruits of The Witching Hour’s labors will be available for all to hear
with the release of the debut CD “Angels in Shadowed Blue” September
25th, 2001.
Music has always been the driving force in
Kenny’s life. Whether in 3rd grade where he received his only formal music
training while playing French Horn, or later while attending Cherry Creek High
School where he was drum major for an unprecedented three of his four years (including
winning the first ever “best drum major” caption award at the statewide
high school marching band competition). Even while stationed in Texas during
a stint in the Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller, he drummed with country
and rock groups consistently. It wasn’t until he returned to Colorado to
attend and graduate from the University of Denver (International Business and
Japanese) that Kenny decided to take music on professionally.
Kenny has appeared in a number of publications
worldwide including Modern Drummer magazine and a cover article in Icon Entertainment
Magazine, and he’s also an endorsee with Attack Drumheads, Pro-Mark Drumsticks,
Yamaha Drums, and Zildjian Cymbals. |
| contact |
| www.KennyJames.com |
 |
background |
| Zach Pietlock plays drums for a living,
and has had a widely successful and extensive career so far
in the Denver area. He had his first gig at age 16 at Josephina's
in Larimer Square, and for the next five years, played jazz
with some of the great players around town including Joe
Bonner, Artie Moore, and Ron Miles. He then began branching
out into other areas including free improvisation and rock
styles. Today, in between lavishing attention on his wife
and wonderful baby son, he plays with Judge Roughneck, The
New Majestics, Bliss, and his latest and most promising project,
Xiren. |
| contact |
| jo-jo@jdband.com |
 |
background |
| Cam Cross has lived in Evergreen,
Colorado since he was two. At age five, he began to study
violin under national fiddle champion Chris Daring, and is
currently ranked first in the state and 17th in the nation.
He has produced a solo fiddle album called "Going Places" and
spends most of his free time in music: practicing fiddle
and bass, writing songs, and playing with Xiren. On the side,
he is a history major at CU-Boulder and really likes Italian
food. |
| contact |
| cam@texasfiddling.com |
 |
background |
| |
| instruments |
electronic drums
acoustic drums and percussion
guitar
vocals |
| contact |
| jalonge@hotmail.com |
 |
background |
| |
| instruments |
acoustic and electric guitars
bass
vocals |
| contact |
| |
 |
background |
| |
| instruments |
bodhran
congas
djembes
african drums |
electronic drums |
|
| contact |
| michael@xiren.net |
 |
background |
| |
| instruments |
| electric and acoustic guitars |
| contact |
| |
 |
background |
| |
| instruments |
rap vocalist
song writer
novelist |
producer
ceo of IMP Records |
|
| contact |
| sevante@impproduct.com |
|
