Jazz Artists - Allison and Victor

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History

"We are a jazzfolk duo that came together quite by accident. As I was traveling as one girl band throughout California and Oregon in 1998, Victor caught one of my performances at a place called the Castle Rock in Dunsmuir, CA.

A native of Delaware, Martin began playing saxophone in junior high and continued his studies through college at the Wilmington School of Music. After joining the Army, he toured in a rock band while stationed in Fort Lewis, Wash. Over the years, he's performed with the likes of Grammy-winner Joe Henderson, Kitty Margolis and Curtis Salgado.

He had been performing quite a bit of R&B in a band called Sound Advice and lots of jazz with guitarist Rick Garrett.

Scull, a twin, came from a Navy family and spent her childhood living in either Belgium or La Jolla, Calif. A choir class at the San Diego School of Performing Arts helped spur her passion for music.

"We initially performed a couple of jazz shows. After these first few performances, Victor joined me on my tour and literally walked up on stage and started improvising to my original songs as I played guitar. Something usual and mystical began to happen."

Scull asked Martin to play on her 1998 solo CD, "Allison St." It wasn't long before they began performing together, with Scull's songwriting and acoustic guitar style making for a cohesive fit with Martin's jazz sensibilities.

This particular combo has grown over the years to "a sound we cannot categorize...but it seems to work."

Their Music

Known (and booked) as "Allison and Victor," the duo has performed consistently across the region since 2002. They've played a vast array of venues and events, from club shows to private parties to winery open houses and everything else you can think of.

They've graced the stage of the Cascade Theatre (opening for the Blind Boys of Alabama), and performed in an expanded format at the Trinity Alps Performing Arts Center. Their sound blends elements of folk, jazz, blues, European and Latin music, all of which translates into a laid-back, tranquil vibe that tends to put people at ease.

Allison and Victor's album, "Cool Like the Breeze," features six songs written by Scull (including the title track), one by Martin, and two others. The album was recorded by Ron Davis (sound engineer for the Monterey Jazz Festival) at his Wing and a Prayer Production studio in Central Point, Ore. Martin arranged all of the tunes and the album features a variety of musicians, including pianist Grant Levin, drummer Tom Stamper, bassists Bill Vallaire and Glenn Richman and percussionist Theresa McCoy.

Martin also sings harmony and lead on some tunes, and plays percussion. "The cool thing about Vic is he's open-minded enough to think of a singer songwriter as a choice to do music with," Scull says. "We have so much fun when we play. We love the audience interaction. Each night, the energy of the crowd makes for a different experience."

They've shared the stage with the likes of Craig Chaquico, Shana Morrison, Archie Lee Hooker, Kelly Joe Phelps and blues legend John Hammond.

When Scull and Martin travel to perform, they often stay with fans who have grown into close friends over the years. It's a continuation of the afternoon experience at the Post Office Saloon. "When we're on the road, we feel little bits of home," Scull says. "We've built these little networks with people, and these people pretty much make it possible for us to do this." "You find out that a lot of people out there in the world are good," adds Martin.

Their Band

Originally from Germany, Stefan Schittko has had a lifelong love affair with jazz and has been inspired by artists such as Herbie Hancock and Weather Report. Currently living in Mount Shasta, Stefan performs regularly with the R&B band Sound Advice and has played in the the Ted Taforo Jazz Collective.

A talented multi-instrumentalist — Mike Harris from Igo, California, will bring his steady supply of earthy rhythms and grooves on percussion, his instrument of choice.