We invite you to experience the sounds of the UpperlineUp whose debut release, "Strike", mixes vibraphone, keyboards, & rhythm into the signature UpperlineUp sound.
Inspired by the Modern Jazz Quartet, the band presents many jazz styles as represented by the diverse backgrounds of the band members. The album features both original compositions & original arrangements of contemporary & classic jazz, latin, swing, & blues.
The players are no strangers to each other, having performed together for more than twenty years on numerous occasions. After playing with many other groups, their love of jazz and their friendship for each other brought them together again, and now here is their first album release as The UpperlineUp.
The UpperlineUp is:
Roberto Orihuela-vibraphone & percussion:
Roberto's musical style is a blend of his Cuban roots & upbringing, combined with his experience in jazz. He draws inspiration from artists like Milt Jackson, Tito Puente, Cal Tjader & Patato Valdez. He has performed with, among others, Aretha Franklin & Arturo Sandoval. Recording credits include projects by Tom Browne, West End Mambo & Blues-A-Matic. He has also appeared as a sideman & leader with numerous regional entertainers including Melva Houston, West End Mambo & The Joe Robinson Quintet.
Bil Jenko-keyboards:
Bil's musical styles include jazz, blues, rock & pop, & as a producer he also has experience in film, radio & the theatre. He has been making music for many years with his first professional gig when he was 13 & his most recent with the jump-swing group Blues-A-Matic. He has performed with, recorded & produced a wide variety of artists including The Brubeck LaVerne Trio, NPR, Ed Shaughnessy, Sarah Siskind, The Vienna String Quartet, The North Carolina Shakespeare Festival, Peter Tork, James Lee Stanley, Craig Smith, Chris Murrell & many others. His record label, Whynot Music, has had many releases over the years.
Jeff Weichinger-bass:
Jeff earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Theory & taught string bass at Greensboro College for 6 years. He is the founder or co-founder of many groups including The Jazz Project, Impulse, T.O.L., The Hot Club of Greensboro, Workbook & The Bob Sanger Trio. Three of those ensembles have been featured at the NC Jazz Showcase. Jeff has performed with Randy Brecker, Charlie Byrd, Slide Hampton, Jimmy Heath, Lenny Pickett, Vanessa Reubens & Marlena Shaw. Local collaborations include Joe Robinson, Melva Houston & Janice Price.
Jim Hoyle-drums:
Jim earned his BFA in Music Performance from East Carolina University, after which he toured extensively with the southern rock group The Badge Band. With the pop-rock band The Graphic, Jim released several albums & toured. He has worked as an engineer at Sound Lab Recording Studios where he won an international award for an amusement park theme song. He now owns Audio & Light, Inc., a live sound & audio installation contractor. Throughout all of this, he has worked as a jazz sideman. He has also performed with symphonies, including the North Carolina Symphony.
