The Ponderosas

The Ponderosas take soul, funk, reggae and R&B and blend it into a unique sound that is truly their own. Described as “world-pop-party-fusion”, these dynamic performers have been setting dance floors at clubs and festivals on fire with their contagious grooves and sweet soulful melodies. Singer-songwriters Janette King and Kristie McCracken founded The Ponderosas in 2009, after meeting at a tree-planting summer job (hence the arboreal reference in the band name). Over the next 4 years the band grew from its acoustic-soul roots to the current 8-piece lineup, and has become a fixture in the Vancouver scene, playing alongside artists including The Boom Booms, Daniel Wesley, Dawn Pemberton, and Natural Flavas. Ponderosas’ members have played salsa, jazz and Caribbean festivals throughout BC and they are currently completing their first full-length album, which they will be touring to support this summer. Influences include R&B artists Erykah Badu and Amy Winehouse, reggae and ska acts like the Cat Empire and Katchafire, and several other contemporary soul and world-fusion artists. With themes of love, longing, the environment and the changing tapestry of our culture, the Ponderosas’ music will move you lyrically as well as rhythmically. "Shiny happy people will be all over the bright horns, straight-from-Cuba percussion, and jazzed-up sex-cool vocals. The playing is almost crazily professional, the songs impeccably arranged, and the vibe hot enough to make you feel like you've stumbled into Club Med during the filming of a Havana Club commercial." Mike Usinger, Georgia Straight "A sinfully guilty night of bilssful music starring the Ponderosas: Vancouver get ready to funk with this music, because this band practically set the stage on fire" Nicola Storey, Discorder Magazine www.theponderosas.co --- Check our albums out at http://theponderosas.bandcamp.com