Combo de Luxe: Bio
CHRIS TYLE - MUSICAL DIRECTOR, CORNET, CLARINET
CHRIS TYLE is a talented and versatile master of Classic Jazz. In the 1980s he co-led the successful swing band, Wholly Cats, in Portland, Oregon, then spent 13 years studying and performing in New Orleans, where for 10 years he led the Silver Leaf Jazz Band. He has made over 50 recordings with numerous bands including his own. Currently he performs with several groups in the U.S. and abroad at concerts and jazz festivals. In addition to performance he participates in jazz education, both teaching and writing, and is a member of the International Association of Jazz Educators and the Jazz Journalists Association. Most recently he performed with the critically acclaimed show "Recherche de Josephine" ("Looking for Josephine") featured at the Opera Comique in Paris, France.
STEVE WRIGHT - reeds and cornet
STEVE WRIGHT began playing traditional jazz around Boston about 25 years ago, performing with several bands including Ray Smith's Paramount Jazz Band of Boston, the Happy Feet Dance Orchestra and the Back Bay Ramblers. He moved to Seattle in 1995 where he joined the Evergreen Classic Jazz Band as well as subbing in other Pacific Northwest bands like Stumptown and Hume Street. Steve still plays with Paramount at festivals. (see A multi-instrumentalist, Steve brings to Combo de Luxe a wealth of talent on clarinet, soprano, alto and tenor saxes as well as cornet.
DAVE BROWN - STRING BASS, VOCALS
DAVE BROWN made his mark on the traditional jazz scene playing banjo and guitar, then extended his remarkable skills to string bass. His strong "slap bass" style (influenced by New Orleans jazz pioneer George “Pops” Foster) lays down Combo de Luxe’s rhythmic foundation. He is a familiar face in the Seattle area, and his experience includes decades of performances with numerous bands, appearances at nationwide festivals, and many recordings. Dave has also played in the orchestras for several musical theater productions, including "Ain't Misbehavin'", "The Sorcerer's Apprentice", and "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas".
CANDACE BROWN - BUSINESS MANAGER, PLECTRUM BANJO, GUITAR
CANDACE BROWN is the other half of Combo de Luxe’s rhythm team (along with husband bassist Dave), and she relentlessly lays down the beat. In addition to her pursuit of perfection in the art of playing rhythm, Candace performs as a soloist and in a duo with Dave, using a chord melody style. She has been heard at a number of festivals including the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, on an Alaskan jazz cruise, at several jazz society concerts, and in July of 2007 was a member of the orchestra for a production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie". Her talents keep her busy in the Puget Sound region and beyond.
DAVE AND CANDACE BROWN - JAZZSTRINGS DUO
DAVE AND CANDACE BROWN as "JAZZSTRINGS" The rhythm section of Combo de Luxe has a life of it's own, when Dave and Candace team up as a duo, calling themselves "JAZZSTRINGS". With Candace playing lead on the banjo in "chord melody" style, accompanied by Dave on bass, these two keep very busy on the local scene.