Artist description Acoustic jazz quartet combining violin, guitar, bass and drums

Music Style Progressive Chamber Jazz

Musical Influences Michael Hedges, John Lennon, Jon Luc Ponty, Al Stewart, Brian May, Steeley Dan, Doobie Brothers, Stevie Wonder, and Stephane Grapelli

Artist History Perpetual Motion began when Tom used a line to try to get a date with Josie. The line was "I have some songs I've written, and I'd like to hear what they would sound like with the violin playing the melody. Would you like to get together sometime and play them?" Well, Josie realized he was trying to get a date, but she also saw that he was sincere about his music. Mostly, she saw that he was trying to avoid being turned down for a date, and that if it didn't work out he could rationalize that it wasn't really a date in the first place. Well, Tom went home and set to work arranging his music with a violin in mind. A rehearsal date was set, and one of the first songs they did was to become the title song on their first CD, Ready, Willing, and Able. Tom had been in a number of rock bands, and they had always met an early demise. He was ready to try a different tactic for getting a band going. In the past, he had always assembled a group of people, and when artistic conflicts arose the band would fold. This time he was going to create a core of two people that could work together, and build from there. Josie had been wanting to get more into playing jazz violin. The spontaneity of improvisation was intriguing to her. She wanted to break free from the confines of classical repertoire, where everything is played the same way and scrutinized for interpretation. Problem was, there wasn't a lot of opportunity for getting together with other jazz musicians. Her violin was always drowned out by the other instruments, and electric violins and violin pickups hadn't been invented yet. The time was right for these two to get together. Tom's acoustic guitar was actually drowned out by JosieŐs violin, which was easily remedied by an amp. Tom was writing music that was influenced by his mentor, Steve Mesple of Wind Machine. His use of open tunings and fingerstyle guitar gave Josie the inspiration to improvise contrapuntal melodies. At first their music was a combination of folk and classical, which can be heard on their first CD. Songs like "Nova", "Northern Lights," and "In The Mode" (another of the songs from that first rehearsal) show that earlier mellow side. Their first gig was at the Conifer Country Affaire, an antique and craft fair in Conifer, Colorado on July 15, 1990. They didnŐt quite have enough music for two sets, so they repeated part of the first one. When they were done, people started asking if they had any tapes for sale. With that kind of encouragement, they began writing more. Over the years Josie began contributing more to the writing process. Usually Tom begins by experimenting with a new tuning for his guitar. After he comes up with a basic idea, he plays it for Josie, who often contributes ideas by trying to sing what she hears in her head. Through trial and error they get it, and then Josie usually writes her violin melody based on the ideas Tom's part gives her. Sometimes, like on "Gypsy Wind," Tom writes the whole thing. Most songs have an improvised section. An effort is made with each song to give it a name that really fits it. Sometimes songs remain untitled while they wait for the right title to come along. Some songs are inspired by things, like "Make Way for the Mia Express" and "Northern Lights."n 1992 they went into the studio to record their first CD. Although most of the material was for violin and guitar duo, they wanted to expand the ensemble on some of the songs. Bassist Susan Mikulich and drummer/percussionist Chad Johnson were asked to join them on three of the songs. They enjoyed working with the rhythm section so much that they were asked to become permanent members of the group. Chad joined full time, and they soon became a well known fixture in coffee houses of the Denver area. They played every week at Java Creek, a coffee house in Cherry Creek, and numerous other coffee houses. Chad became known as the drummer who would play anything, including glass bottles, furniture, and horseshoes. The addition of Josie's electric violin made the time seem right to add a bass player to develop these new ideas into a higher energy ensemble. Bassist Matt Deason was asked to join for the recording of their second CD, Surfing On Cloud Nine. This recording shows the bandŐs energetic side, with songs such as "Wheels are Turning" and "The Wyoming Blues" showing their rock and roll roots. Shortly after the release of Surfing On Cloud Nine Chad left the band and drummer Rob Chamberlin joined along with bassist Michael Olson, formerly of Wind Machine. Now the band can be found giving concerts all along the front range. Their repertoire includes their earlier work, and they continue to add new music every day. Their newest songs have a contemporary jazz feel. They are also adding their arrangements of rock and roll classics, like Steely Dan's "Josie" and The Doobie Brothers' "Black Water." You havenŐt heard Stevie Wonders "Superstition" until youŐve heard it on a violin!

Group Members Josie Quick - violinsTom carleno - guitarsMichael Olson - bassRob Chamberlin - Drums

Instruments acoustic and electric violins, guitars, acoustic and electric bass, drums

Albums Christmas Time Is Here, Surfing On Cloud Nine, Ready Willing and Able

Press Reviews Anyone who has ever gone out on a limb to get a date has to appreciate the sheer guts Tom Carleno of Perpetual Motion had when he used his own cheesy pickup line on violinist Josie Quick more than 10 years ago. Carleno, an acoustic guitarist, had played in several bands over the years. He was in-between groups when he met Quick at a Denver-area music store where they both taught private music lessons. The conducting casanova made a bold move in hopes of furthering both his musical career and his social life. Your typical bar hound probably would have winked at Quick before blurting out, "Hey baby, I think we could make beautiful music together." Luckily for Quick, Carleno was a little more tactful, and instead opted for "I have some songs I've written. Would you like to get together sometime and play them?" Flattered, and inspired by Carleno's obvious sincerity about his craft, Quick agreed to break away from her classical training and move toward a longtime interest of hers, jazz violin. Up until she met Carleno, Quick had trouble playing with traditional jazz groups because, before the onset of electric violins and violin pickups, the sound of her instrument got drowned out of the mix. Once Carleno hooked his own strings up to an amp, the pair wailed away, creating perfect balance of harmonies. The folk-classical compromise can be heard on Perpetual Motion's first CD, "Ready, Willing and Able." The duo played together for three or four years before setting foot in the studio, at which time Carleno and Quick decided it was time for a rhythm section. Susan Mikulich and Chad Johnson joined the group for three of the covers, and before long the quartet was a regular fixture at coffee houses like Java Creek in the Cherry Creek neighborhood. "Our songs work as both duets and as a full band," Carleno said. "There is a lot more musical energy as a full band." Johnson became known as a Jack of all trades around Denver, using his percussion skills to play anything from glass bottles to furniture to horseshoes. Mikulich was a pro on the bass. The original duo used the new, full sound to expand into blues, swing and bluegrass. Shortly after the band recorded its second album, "Surfing on Cloud Nine," Johnson left the group and drummer Rob Chamberlin took his place. Around the same time, Michael Olson of Wind Machine took over as bassist. Coincidentally, Wind Machine's Steve Mesple was an early mentor for Carleno. The quartet spends a lot of time creating a unique style of original music that they perform mostly at summer music festivals and jazz nightclubs. Most recently the band played at the Sunday night concert series, City Park Jazz, in Denver. "We try to let audiences know that we're more than just a jazz band," Carleno said. "We don't like to pigeonhole out-selves into one category." The band is largely thought of as a jazz band because of their improvisational talents. Most of Perpetual Motion's songs allow for an improvisational solo by any given player. Traditionally, Carleno starts the composition of all of Perpetual Motion's songs. Once he has mapped out the guitar angle, he plays it for other members of the band, who improvise counter melodies. "Before I was mostly in cover bands," Carleno said. "Josie and I are more professional than the bands I played with in the past. Doing original material also keeps me really motivated to make the band work. Doing my own songs gives me a personal drive to make this a success." Perpetual Motion is currently spending time in the studio recording its third CD. The album should be released in time for the holiday season.

Location Denver, Colorado - USA

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