photo by Justin Smith

About the band:

The OWCHARUK 5 is five people coming together to make music about life. Work, play, hard times, good times, war, peace. Traditional songs and dances have made their way from the Ukrainian plains and the Cossack camp to find kinship with Latin grooves, Blues soul, Punk Rock energy, improvisation, and modern composition. Music for the people.

The band’s signature sound comes from a combination of Michael Owcharuk’s idiosyncratic compositions and style, mixed with the collective voice of Jim Knodle, Beth Fleenor, Nate Omdal, and Cody Rahn’s unique individual voices. Each is an active, working artist in their own right performing in various genres: jazz, prog-rock, new music, hip-hop, the avant-garde, and pop, among others. These things coalesce when the OWCHARUK 5 performs making a sound that is absolutely unique and able to resonate with many different people.

Formed in 2007, the OWCHARUK 5 has been steadily gaining aplomb and recognition in Seattle, WA. They have been featured at/on: Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Sounds Outside, Tula’s, The Crocodile, Composer’ Spotlight presented by Jack Straw Productions, and Sonarchy Radio KEXP 90.3fm.

“A musical experience not likely to be repeated in Seattle.”- Earshot Jazz, Seattle, WA

“Adventurous!” – The Stranger, Seattle, WA

New album Kobzar is available now!

Free download at www.owcharuk5.bandcamp.com.

Kobzar Album Press Kit (PDF)

OWCHARUK 5 Bio Only (PDF)

OWCHARUK 5 on Myspace

Personnel:

Here are the other 4 people that make this band happen.  They are quite extraordinary:

Beth Fleenor – Clarinet and Voice

Beth is a musical force of nature.  With her playing she can whip the band up into a frenzy, soothe our souls, and take us through the places in between. Beth is a clarinetist, singer, improviser, composer, and arts advocate. She leads Figeater, performs with Double Yoko, Bling, Chick Influenza and collaborates with artists such as Wayne Horvitz, Butch Morris, William O. Smith, Denney Goodhew, and Kulture Shock among many others. In addition, Beth operates the artist management company The Frank Agency.

Jim Knodle – Trumpet

Jim is a mentor, wise-ass and a helluva musician.  His distinct voice and approach to music is one of the OWCHARUK 5′s defining sounds.  Jim is a trumpet player, composer, arranger, and educator with a long career on the West Coast performing or recording with Daniel Carter, Andrew Hill, Perry Robinson, Vinnie Goila, Paul Rucker, KMFDM, Robin Holcomb, Michael Vlatkovich, and Wayne Horvitz among many others. He can be found performing almost every night of the week in Seattle with a myriad of different artists.  Check out his music and other cool stuff at www.jimknodlemusic.com.

Nate Omdal – Bass

Nate is one of my longtime collaborators.  He is a great accompanist who can follow you down any musical road.  Nate is a bassist, composer, arranger, producer, and owner of Brokentime Records. He co-directs the Seattle Jazz Composer’s Ensemble, is a founding member of Soul Kata, and performs with MC Spekulation, and Ronin. He has performed with many local and national artists including Dawn Clement, Denney Goodhew, Jay Thomas, and Matt Jorgenson. Check out www.nateomdal.wordpress.com for info on all the different projects.

Cody Rahn – Drums

Cody is the glue that holds us together.  His rhythmic ideas, precision, and ability to authentically play many different styles, are a huge part of the band’s distinct sound. Cody is a drummer and educator. He is a founding member of War Pigeon, works as a sideman, and has been session musician at studios such as Studio X, Bear Creek, and Ironwood. Cody has toured and recorded with national artists Alyse Black and Johanna Kunin. Check him out at www.myspace.com/codyrahn.

Here is some video of the OWCHARUK 5 performing Arkan at our CD Release Party, 4/8/10 at Tula’s:

Click here for more video.