Meet the musicians
Playback Theatre West feels honored to have Colorado's best musicians to accompany you and your story in a powerful, unique and engaging way! Feel free to hire them away from us for a private event.
Anthony
Anthony Salvo is a talented multi instrumentalist who's deep love of music of many world traditions makes him especially suited for the improvisational rigors of Playback Theater. Conservatory trained, he has delved deeply into the study of american jazz, free jazz, gypsy swing, klezmer, latin and african music. Anthony's explorations into these styles, and his ability to sense the poignancy and humor of a moment, helps him to bring a sonically rich and multi layered approach to co-creation with the Playback players. Anthony has a website. Curious? Look HERE!
Brian
Brian Mullins is a multi-instrumentalist, composer and performer with the Irish ensemble Colcannon, the instrumental group Laughing Hands, the New Mandolin Quartet, BogBlossom, the One String Circus and the Chinese spike fiddle band, "Erhoopla Ensemble". Brian has been a featured soloist with symphonies and chamber orchestras. Brian has performed hundreds of school assemblies presenting music from around the world. He is currently artist in residence at Colorado College. His music was featured in short film and public television specials. Brian's compositions have been referred to as "some of the most innovative and unique music to emerge from this area" by the Boulder Weekly and "musical exotica often verging on the exquisite" by Westword magazine. Brian teaches fiddle classes for Boulder Suzuki Strings.
Dexter
Dexter Payne, voted among the top ten clarinetists in Downbeat Readers Polls in 2004 and 2006, has made repeat appearances on the NBC Today Show and Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion. He has performed with artists from Dr John to Sharon Isbin. Currently he is on the faculty of Naropa University, directing the Afro-pop Ensemble. Dexter lived and performed in 12 countries in Latin America, where he played and formed friendships with Thiago de Mello and the late Ruben Gonzales among others, recording in Brazil with Paulinho Tapajos and Beth Carvalho. His latest recording, the third with Grammy nominated composer, Thiago de Mello, features four great pianists, including Helio Alves (Obrigado Brazil), and guitarist Romero Lubambo. Dexter has a website. Curious? Look HERE!
Gary
Gary Grundei is an award-winning composer, pianist, sound designer, and teacher whose music has been heard at the Kennedy Center, Denver Center, New York Stage and Film, Boulder’s Chautauqua Community House, Naropa University, Vintage Theatre, the Boulder International Fringe Festival, Occidental College, the Ohio State University, and various modern dance performances. He has worked with Bill Pullman, Meredith Monk, and Barbara Dilley among others, and is the founder of the experimental music ensemble, the living room project. He also writes for and plays with the band High Fiction.
He has performed original musicals and played gala events for the Denver Broncos and the Coors family. He has composed music for the wedding of one of the world’s top lingerie designers. He has taught for many years at Naropa University in the undergraduate music and graduate theatre departments. He has performed completely inappropriate original songs on ukulele and mandolin in Ireland and the US. Gary has a website. Curious? Look HERE!
He has performed original musicals and played gala events for the Denver Broncos and the Coors family. He has composed music for the wedding of one of the world’s top lingerie designers. He has taught for many years at Naropa University in the undergraduate music and graduate theatre departments. He has performed completely inappropriate original songs on ukulele and mandolin in Ireland and the US. Gary has a website. Curious? Look HERE!
James
James Hoskins plays too many instruments to list, and too many genres to
believe... All these elements are barely enough to keep up with the demands
laid upon him by the Playback Theater form! It's the most fun gig on the
planet! James has a website. Curious? Look HERE!
believe... All these elements are barely enough to keep up with the demands
laid upon him by the Playback Theater form! It's the most fun gig on the
planet! James has a website. Curious? Look HERE!