Primary Instrument: Drums
The Tangria Jazz Group is acclaimed as one of the up and coming jewels of the Bay Area jazz scene. This group’s unique blend of fire, intensity and sensitivity sets them apart, moving audiences to new heights and drawing them into the closest confines of intimacy. Formed in the spring of 1997, the Tangria Jazz Group has developed a rich, captivating sound that brings new contributions to bear upon the genres of Latin and straight-ahead jazz.
Each player brings an individual style to the group, always keeping Tangria’s sound interesting and dynamic. Their influences range from Ellington to Jobim, from Miles Davis to Joe Henderson. Simon Rochester on Rhodes piano draws upon the intricate and lush contributions left by Herbie Hancock and Bill Evans; the intensity, explosiveness and melodic treatments of Tony Williams and Joe Morello are apparent in drummer Sheryl Mebane’s playing; and the melodic and soulful contributions of bass players Dave Holland and Charlie Haden are brought forth in Tangria’s bassists' playing. Honoring their influences, Tangria’s fresh, inventive expression reveals a unique identity, especially in their original compositions.
Their expressive music is an important addition to the San Francisco jazz community and is rapidly finding a place in the hearts of jazz aficionados throughout the U.S., Canada and internationally. After completing a successful radio campaign and embarking on a national press campaign, Tangria Jazz Group is excited to air their blend of originality and fire.
Players’ Bios: Sheryl Mebane plays with inventive Bay Area and North Carolina bands. Search online to read about her jazz novel, Lady Bird, and her postdoctoral environmental research.
Simon Rochester, playing professionally since age 15, has played notable Bay Area clubs and has appeared on three albums spanning 10 years with the funk band !Tang. Simon routinely plays with top musicians and does physics research at UC Berkeley.
Last Updated: April 23, 2010
Mebane's Eleven: The leader is a chick drummer with a musical education that she hasn't let go to her head enough to ruin her instincts as she follows the lead of musical heroes like Tony Williams with her own Bay area trio that plays like it wants to go the distance.
~Chris Spector, Midwest Record Recap
“The music of The Tangria Jazz Group's 'Mebane's Eleven: Tunes For Two' is like a pleated skirt swaying in a gentle, cool, crisp spring morning breeze before the temperature breaks and the heat & sizzle arrive. Their music is fresh like the early AM bird calls to which you attend before you get distracted by the sounds of the arrival of workaday world.”
~Peter Poses, Host of “OverNight Jazz: The Soundz Of Surprize”, KRFC Ft. Collins, Colorado
“The trio sounds excellent. I like the playing here all around. The solo piano intro is particularly impressive and leads well into the body of the track. Drums and bass provide wonderfully supple support and interplay from there on out. Great drum fills at the climax of the solo sections. To my ears, the track sounds suitable for broadcast pitching “I think (the track “Money Time”) could do well, for ex., on KKJZ (88.1 FM Long Beach, one of the country’s premier jazz stations).”
~TAXI A&R
As a Leader
Album NameMebane's Eleven
Record Label - Blastfamous Records
Year Released - 2007
Tracks:Teach Yourself to Live Elswhere; Money Time; Warm; Ethan's Song; Solar; Freedom Jazz Dance; Reactions; Gemini; Breathe Easy; Money Time; Warm.
Personnel: Sheryl Mebane (drums, jembe), Justin Hellman (bass), Simon Rochester (keyboard), with special guests James Bringetto (guitar 10 & 11), Belinda Catalong (electric violin 4, 10, 11 mandolin 10), Giotto Harrison (copper pipes 11), Alex Pasternak (bass 10 & 11).
As a Leader
Album NameSongs From Ladybird
Record Label - Pearl Street Publishing
Year Released - 2003
Tracks:In Walked Bud; Blue Monk; Tell Me a Bedtime Story; City of Ba; Inner Urge; Teach Yourself to Live Elsewhere; Day Waves; Footprints; Lady Bird; Do You Want Some . . .?.
Personnel: Sheryl Mebane (drums, jembe), Justin Hellman (bass), Simon Rochester (keyboard),
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