Jordan Rain/Yogoman - Songwriter/Conductor/Drums & Lead Vocal [photo by Gary Thompson]
Jordan Rain has been playing live music and putting on shows in the Pacific Northwest since 1993. Rain grew up on Classic Rock, Soul and Hip-Hop, while having toured nationally in the Underground/All-Ages music scene (punk/hardcore/experimental/indie rock, etc.). In 1998, Rain was sideswiped by Seattle come New Orleans Reggae selector Prince Pauper who exposed him to all the best of all genres Jamaican music which changed his musical/spiritual path toward the island's history and roots. Rain followed suit selecting Jamaican vinyl while incorporating the Jamaican tradition of chatting and singing over the records in an improv style which Reggae culture would identify as a Deejay. Rain took the name Yogoman as a moniker, which is a cartoon alien mascot that inspires humans to dance and get ridiculous. As a selector Rain specializes in Jamaican and Soul Music and has incorporated a unique mix of these musical forms, while conjuring new sonic realms with his live band YOGOMAN.
Aiming to connect with people of all-ages and backgrounds through vibrant dance music, Jordan is building off the rhythmic foundation of his favorite music from around the globe coupled with his innate sense of harmony. From beats to melodies to lyrics, Rain communicates primarily with energy and intuition along with his voice and cues from the drum set to other YOGOMAN players and audience simultaneously, making each performance a new experience.
Rain's aim is to travel to as many countries as he can with YOGOMAN, spreading as much love and community through music as possible in his life, with his family and friends.
FEATURED PLAYERS:
Jacqueline “Bongo Jac” Rain - Vocals & Bongos
(Photo by Tad Beavers)
Jacqueline was raised in East Texas bayou country in Linden, a very small town home of the famous blues guitarist/singer T-Bone Walker and Don Henley of the Eagles. In Linden, Jac got her start singing blues, roots country, gospel music and on the playground chanting double dutch rhythms. As a coloratura Soprano, Jac sang and studied Opera in New York City, Seattle and Europe. After a major car accident which left her with a complex disability, Jac sought out roots music as therapy and was advised to play percussion by her brain doctor. She met Jordan Rain/DJ YOGOMAN spinning vinyl records at his Soul Night at the Green Frog in Bellingham, WA, where they fell in love. YOGOMAN caught her singing jazz standards with a remarkable voice and asked her to join the band. They are now happily married and tour with their young son Buck Rain who is constantly immersed in music.
Johnny Toulouse - Bass Guitar
Johnny has a history of Jazz guitar and bass and has come full circle into the Reggae world of bass rhythms through touring with YOGOMAN and Reggae music legend Winston Jarrett. His presence and strong understanding of melody and harmony keep his playing engaging and fun to listen to.
Pat “Tyagi Ji” Doran -
Alto Sax/Clarinet/Melodica/Tap Dancing
(Photo by Tad Beavers)
Pat “Tyagi Ji” Doran of Twisp, WA plays Alto Saxophone as his primary instrument, several other woodwinds, and the Banjo. Tap Dancing since the age of 5, Doran’s fancy footwork has also worked its way into YOGOMAN’s live set as a feature. Tyagi Ji plays with consistent presence that always produces a fiery sound. While in India Pat was given the name Tyagi Ji by his musical Guru.
Denny Franzmann -
Fiddle, Trumpet & Vocal
(Photo by Tad Beavers)
Denny was raised musically on a wide range of styles from around the world. Franzmann sings lead vocal and plays guitar in the dynamic Old Time Rag duo called The Copacetics with his cousin Pat Doran. Denny and Pat always wanted to combine fiddle and sax or clarinet for a feature section in a group and when they met YOGOMAN, the dream became reality. Denny has incorporated fiddle with flying colors, featuring an instrument not usually heard in Jamaican music. Franzmann also blends nicely with harmony vocals and also produces a nice tone on the trumpet.
Matt "MASH" Nash - Tenor and Baritone Saxophones.
MASH brings a raw and soulful quality to his playing that keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering which way he's going to turn on his solos. He is from Oak Harbor, WA which is on lovely Whidbey Island. MASH loves to ride his bicycle when not honking with YOGOMAN band.
YOGOMAN IS AN EVOLVING COLLECTIVE THAT COMES IN MANY FLAVORS AND CONFIGURATIONS, BUT ONE THING IS CONSISTENT, WHICH IS THE VISION OF YOGOMAN TO BRING PEOPLE OF THE WORLD TOGETHER THROUGH FUN, POSITIVE & LIFE AFFIRMING DANCE MUSIC.
*A BIG THANKS TO THOSE WHO HAVE JOINED THE RANKS AND CONTRIBUTED TO YOGOMAN'S RICH MUSICAL HISTORY AS A BAND (you never know when you might see them again on stage with YOGOMAN):
YOGOMAN Family Foundation Players (in order of appearance): Joseph "Captain Seahorse" Miles- Saxophone, Isaac "Izzy" Weiser- Bass, Andrew Clarke- Drums, Tyler Clarke- Guitar, Tim Holmes- Keys, Norah McLaughlin- Vocals/Bass, Stell Newsome- Guitar/Vocals, Dan Lowinger- Guitar, Ben Wildenhaus- Keys, Thomas Akihiro Deakin- Saxophone/Vocals/Percussion/Arrangements, John Sampson- Trombone, Lupe Flores- Percussion/Vocals, Mars Lindgren- Trombone/Vocals/Percussion/Arrangements, Julian McDonough- Drums, Joel Ricci- Trumpet/Vocals/Percussion/Arrangements, Mike Mitchell- Drums, Josh Holland- Guitar/Vocals, Jason Cressie- Trombone, Robert Sarazin Blake- Guitar, Sara Jerns- Trumpet, Nelson Bell- Trombone, Cornet, Sousaphone, Amanda Rhine- Saxophone/Vocals, Miles Harris- Guitar/Vocals, Jimmy Austin- Trombone, Renard Copelin - Piano/Keys/Cowbell, Chris Senac - Bass, Kenta Gumbert - Keys/Trombone/Guitar, Joseph Vacca- Bass Guitar.
