Mike Prigodich

Keyboardist Mike Prigodich's jazz fusion compositions attract attention from many upper-echelon national artists. His original compositions combine jazz with influences from many other genres and regions of the world. Mike leads the Melz/Prigodich/Erskine Group (MPEG) with master drummer Reinhardt Melz, bass virtuoso Damian Erskine, and the brilliant John Nastos on saxophone. Together, they create some of the best jazz fusion being played anywhere in the world! +++++++++++++++ About Mike Prigodich Becoming a cancer patient in 2008 was the big wake-up call that propelled the need to pursue his dream of becoming a professional jazz musician, compose lots of new material, form a band, and start booking gigs. Just to prove what motivation can do, Mike raised over $10,000 on kickstarter.com in 2010 to fund his first studio album "A Stitch In Time" featuring Damian Erskine, Reinhardt Melz, John Nastos, Brandon Woody, Rafael Trujillo, Patrick Lamb, Tim Jensen, and Paul Mazzio,all produced by Emmy award-winning David Mathew. This studio album and band was featured on the Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) Oregon Art Beat television show. Mike currently resides in Portland, Oregon and enjoys playing with some of the finest musicians, up to the task of performing the extremely challenging yet accessible compositions. +++++++++++++++ About Damian Erskine Damian Erskine is not your ordinary bass player. While not touring, Damian hones his chops with some of the best jazz and latin musicians the West coast has to offer. Damian is known for his ability to fit into any musical situation and his extraordinary reading and improvising skills. Damian has played in the studio or on the stage with the likes of: Peter Erskine • The Jaco Pastorius Big Band • Teri-Lynn Carrington • Gino Vannelli • John Ellis • Shawn Pelton • Sveti w/ Marko Djordjevic • Luis Conte • Brandon Ross • Les McCann • Jeff Lorber • Vardan Ovsepian • Charmaine Neville • Jessy J • Luis Perdomo • Tony Furtado • Kate Schutt • Bobby Torres • Alan Jones • Patrick Lamb • Dan Balmer • Klezmocracy and many others as well as being featured on the GospelChops.com “Shed Sessionz Vol. 1″ DVD. Whether playing as a sideman or with his own group, he is known for his rock solid bass work, virtuosic solos and thoughtful chordal abilities. Damian is also an adjunct professor at both Portland State University and Marylhurst University. He is also the nephew of drummer Peter Erskine. +++++++++++++++ About Reinhardt Melz Drummer Reinhardt Melz is by far the busiest drummer in the Portland area. While working nearly every night as most people's "first call" drummer, Reinhardt also keeps a busy touring schedule with pop icon Gino Vannelli. Hailed as one of those rare guys that can play any style with authority, Reinhardt really shines in every setting. Having gigged since before he could drive, Reinhardt has worked with Gino Vannelli, Jeff Lorber, Curtis Salgado, Charmaine Neville, Buddy Guy, Lloyd Jones, Bobby Torres, Victor Little, Reggie Houston, Allen Hinds, Patrick Lamb, Ernestine Anderson, Randy Porter, Tony Furtado and many, many more. Reinhardt Melz has been on the North West professional music scene since 1987. He is a consummate musician and teacher. He is also Bobby Torres’ eldest son. Reinhardt prefers not to categorize music. Instead, he strives to play what the music calls for. He is a versatile drummer that is recognized for his talent in creating sophisticated rhythmic conversations. He is a “top-call” drummer who is in demand for work with artists of many different genres ranging from Jazz and Afro-Cuban to R&B, Rock-n Roll, Funk and Klezmer. Reinhardt has taken lessons from Ignacio Berroa, Jimmy Branley, Alex Acuna, Bob Moses, Graham Lear, Michael Spiro and Cuban master percussionist Miguel Bernal. At a very young age, Reinhardt’s gigs with local musicians Lloyd Jones and Curtis Salgado led to opportunities to share the stage with Steve Miller, Buddy Guy, Earl King, and Delbert Mclinton. Playing with the Bobby Torres Ensemble has allowed Reinhardt to play with many top notch percussionists including Sandy Perez, Miguel Bernal and Regino Jimenez. As a member of the Bobby Torres Ensemble, Reinhardt opened for Tito Puente, Arturo Sandoval and Poncho Sanchez. Reinhardt is currently touring with Gino Vannelli. When home in Portland, Reinhardt keeps a busy schedule with freelance work (both live and studio) and private instruction. Reinhardt has performed with James Carter (world renowned jazz musician) and Ernestine Anderson (legendary jazz vocalist). Reinhardt also tours with Tony Furtado (virtuoso guitarist and banjo player) and Les McCann. Reinhardt recently played Stevie Wonder's private birthday celebration. Needless to say, the performance was extremely well received! +++++++++++++++ About John Nastos Multi-instrumentalist John Nastos was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, where he found his love of music while exploring the vibrant local music scene. Before graduating from high school, John enrolled at Portland State University, where he studied with Alan Jones, Darrell Grant, and other Portland jazz luminaries. During that same year, he started performing with the Mel Brown Septet, the Gordon Lee Big Band, and other professional Portland groups. In 2004, Nastos graduated from high school and moved to New York City on a scholarship to study jazz at the acclaimed Manhattan School of Music. At MSM, John studied saxophone and composition with Dick Oatts (Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchrestra), Bob Mintzer (Yellowjackets), Steve Wilson (Chick Corea), and Mike Abene (WDR Big Band). In 2007, John completed the four-year degree program in just three years. Since returning to Portland, John has performed with the who’s who of the Portland scene, including the Bobby Torres Ensemble, the Portland Soul All-Stars, the Third Angle New Music Ensemble, Darrell Grant’s On the Territory, and the Damian Erskine Project. He has recorded with Intervision, Ben Darwish’s Commotion, the Drew Shoals Collective, and others. Recently, Nastos’s composition, arranging, and compositional skills have been commissioned for performances and recordings by Damian Erskine, the Bobby Torres Ensemble, the Art Abrams Swing Machine, and Pink Martini (for performances with the San Francisco Symphony). Nastos maintains a busy performing, recording, and teaching schedule around the Portland area. He is also currently part of Diane Schuur’s touring group, playing performances around the world. John Nastos performs on: soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones, Bb and bass clarinets, flute, piccolo, and EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument) http://www.mikeprigodich.com http://www.reverbnation.com/mikeprigodich http://www.youtube.com/mikeprigodich