BIO
MARINA AND THE DREAMBOATS was originally a rag-tag team of regular jammers Mo' Jam Mondays at The Nectar Lounge in Seattle. Marina was assigned a group of players to be part of the Mo' Jam feature on Band in Seattle in 2015. Marina had a taste and she was hooked. She needed more horns.
The band continues to delight audiences of all ages with their blend of jazz, soul and classic pop. They released their self-titled freshman album on July 13, 2018. In March, 2019, they won the Battle of the Bands at the Hard Rock Cafe Seattle, proving this jazz crossover group has something to offer all listeners.
Marina writes and arranges to her heart's content for this army of a band! Plus she sings, plays bass and leads the band. It's like a magic show.
Current band members:
Marina Christopher, bass and vocals
Chris Patin, drums
Joey Walbaum, keys
Frank Vitolo, tenor sax
Jerome Smith, trombone and sousaphone
sometimes featuring:
Brian Bermudez, alto sax
Peter Daniel, bari sax
Chris Patin, drums
Freddy Fuego, trombone
Kevin Proudfoot, keys
Adam Robb, trumpet
Venues and festivals performed at include:
The Royal Room, Nectar Lounge, The Crocodile, Seamonster Lounge, Edmonds Performing Arts Center, Substation, Blue Moon Tavern, Victory Studios, Tula's Jazz Club, Pono Ranch, Cask & Trotter, Conor Byrne, Chop Suey, The High Dive, Taste of Tacoma, Bite of Seattle, Triple Door, US Special Olympics, Hard Rock Cafe Seattle, Evergreen State Fair, Seattle Rock and Roll Marathon, W Hotel Seattle, Upstream Festival, Amazon Out to Lunch series, Downtown Summer Sounds concert series, City of Kenmore Summer concert series, Downtown Seattle Association concert series, Nelson Treehouse Supply (of Treehouse Masters TV program) concert series.
REVIEWS and NEWS
Everett Herald, Nov. 26 2020
MyEdmonds News, Nov. 29 2020
Seattle Times May 28, 2018
(click to go to article on the Seattle Times website)
Seattle Times June 1, 2018
Marina And The Dreamboats Sailing The Seas Of Fun
By ABE BEESON • JUL 13, 2018
It could be her charming, drawling vocals or the contagious smile on Marina Christopher's face that instantly wins over fans. Just as likely, she'll draw you in with the music she makes with her Dreamboats band - an addictive blend of jazz, soul and classic pop.
With the KNKX studios full of horns for her studio session, celebrating their self-titled debut release, this award-winning bassist and singer (and composer, arranger, band leader) is earning her Golden Ear award for Emerging Artist of the Year.
Marina & the Dreamboats were bursting with excitement - even in impressively tight arrangements - with Kevin Proudfoot at the keys, Christopher Patin on drums, and six horn players along for the fun. And as much fun as they were having, it was all in service of the music.
Christopher's songs come from a love of great melodies - she grew up listening mostly to music much older than herself. Her lyrics, delivered with just the right touch of honey in her voice, are modern stories of the lives lived in the city - sometimes romantic, other times silly or awkward, always smart.
When I listen to Marina Christopher's music I'm reminded of Joni Mitchell's pop-jazz fusion and other songwriters of the era like Billy Joel or Randy Newman. Songs are difficult to write, good songs doubly so. Marina & the Dreamboats are releasing their debut album full of good songs this week, but the fun is on the stage, so see 'em live!
The band plays regular first Fridays after work at the W Hotel in downtown Seattle, their CD release party is this Friday night at the J&M Cafe in Pioneer Square. For families with young fans, catch 'em at Seattle's Waterfront Park Saturday afternoon - and on demand right here!
https://www.knkx.org/post/marina-and-dreamboats-sailing-seas-fun