This eclectic Jersey City based group is the brain child of lead singer
and flutist Stefanie Seskin, a recipient of ASCAP's ASCAPLU$ songwriter
award in the "Popular" category since 2001. blue number nine, formed at
the end of 1995, is the largest project of this music maker since
childhood, whose own blood-line of professional artists includes her
grandfather, Fred Skerritt. Skerritt played with some of jazz's greats
during his time with Machito's Afro Cuban Orchestra in the 1940's and his
love of a strong rhythm layered with the melodic flavor of many cultures
is a foundation strongly infused in his granddaughter.
Seskin's strong stage presence is due not only to years of playing music,
but also to her dance training and natural athletic ability - and lest
anyone think Stefanie is solely a creature of music and movement, she also
holds a Master's Degree in Communications. This combination of the
aesthetic and the intellectual makes her a dynamic songwriter, creating
music that you can think about and dance to.
Marco Accattatis covers the bass guitar. Marco moved to the US from Italy
to study music and has since performed on various projects covering a
broad range of styles - jazz, fusion, funk, rock, dance, caribbean, r&b,
soul, pop, and bluegrass. Marco is a former member of the Tony Trishka
Band and appears on the group's album "Bend." Currently, he plays with
several other groups, teaches private students and was also performer
/composer in residence for the NYU New Music Ensemble at New York
University.
Igor Fejzula recently filled the guitarist position in blue number nine.
He was born in Belgrade (Serbia) and moved to Barcelona (Spain) at the age
of 11. He performed throughout Barcelona and the north Mediterranian coast
in different pop, rock and soul bands, then moved to New York City in 2005
where he received a BFA degree in jazz performance from City College of
New York. In addition to blue number nine, he has performed with many
other bands of different styles. He also teaches private guitar lessons.
The final ingredient in the core of the rhythm section is Jack M. Gourdine
II, a drummer since the age of 13. An army brat raised in Okinawa,
Gourdine spent his teens playing NCO clubs - a tough proving-ground for a
young musician. His professional experiences range from marching bands to
orchestras to soul and R&B groups - his range provides the group with the
rock-solid foundation that only a seasoned drummer can provide.
In the vocals department, blue number nine also boasts diverse and
talented women who round off the group's sound with tight vocal harmonies.
Current vocalists include Viola Karuri, Paul Munoz, Morgan Rose Fite,
Chris Vaindirlis and Dara Seitzman.
When blue number nine brings in The Random Horns, the talent on stage sets
the already-hot room on fire. Core members, who appear on the band's
latest album, "Living It Up In The New World", are Jenny Hill on sax, Rob
Susman on trombone and Pamela Fleming on trumpet. Lily White (sax) is also
a NYC regular. When on tour, the band has been known to fearlessly pick up
the local area's finest horn players. Keyboard playerJeff Witt also
appears with blue number nine at select shows.
blue number nine is a unique blend of musicians and musical styles,
flavored with intelligence and expertise, given to aural flight but never
far from the beat. Their high energy performances and fresh funk grooves
draw an audience into a special musical world of sound, movement and joy.
