Maia Santell and her backing band House Blend have been performing around the Pacific Northwest for twenty years at nightclubs, casinos, festivals, dances, cruises, special events, weddings and wedding receptions.
Maia Santell on vocals, Al Alto on guitar, Jay Mabin on bass,
Ted Dortch on saxophone and Bruce Simpson on drums. |
Maia Santell and House Blend consists of vocals, guitar, saxophone, bass and drums, and performs jazz, blues, Latin, swing, Motown, big band, nostalgia, classic rock and contemporary favorites. Known around the region as a "premier dance band," they perform a mix of styles, rhythms and tempos for ballroom and swing dancers, with a repertoire similar to that of the T.V. show, "Dancing with the Stars."
Maia's "House Blend" combo is a duo, trio, or full quartet, quintet or sextet, depending on the venue or the nature of the engagement. Whatever the size or composition of her accompaniment, Maia's vocal style is consistently swingin' and soulful.
The band's playlist reflects songs made popular by such artists as Duke Ellington, Etta James, B.B. King, Brooks and Dunn, Louis Jordan, The Beatles, Louis Armstrong, George Benson, Santana, Linda Ronstadt, Asleep at the Wheel, Diana Krall, Billie Holiday, Eric Clapton, Frank Sinatra, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Patsy Cline, Wilson Pickett, Fats Domino, Stevie Wonder and Peggy Lee, to name a few. For a playlist of their extensive repertoire, email Maia:
For a complete biography please see: Maia's Bio
Once you've sampled the sounds of Maia Santell and House Blend, you're sure to come back for refills!
Check out these sound clips!
Jazz, Latin, Swing, Blues, Big Band, Rock and R&B:
Manha De Carnaval
Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone
Mack the Knife / S'Wonderful
Baby What You Want Me To Do
I Only Have Eyes For You
Sway
Born Under a Bad Sign
Flip Flop and Fly
Summertime
Why Don't You Do Right
Shaky Ground
Blues Party
Jump Jive and Wail
Black Magic Woman
Hot Rod Lincoln, featuring Al Alto
Just a Little Bit
Start it Up
Check out these video clips!:
Maia Santell and House Blend, Swingin' the Blues!
Maia Santell and House Blend: Jazz, Blues, Latin and Swing!
Swingin' with Maia Santell, performing "Fever" and "Moondance"
Maia Santell and House Blend performing "Fine Brown Frame," Live at Jazzbones Nightclub!
Maia Santell, Swingin' and Jumpin' Through the Years!
Maia Santell and House Blend, live at Jazzbones, performing "Baby What You Want Me to Do."
Live at Jazzbones, performing "Santa Baby"
Maia Santell, performing "God Bless the Child," with the Steve Ryals Orchestra
Live at Jazzbones, performing "Find Out What They Like"
Maia Santell, Smooth Jazz Radio Commercial for Julia's Park Place, 1995
| Venue/Event |
Date/Time |
April 2013
|
|
Sonny Newman's Dance Hall
201 North 85th Street, Seattle, 206-784-3010
Click here: Sonny Newman's Dance Hall |
April 5th, Friday,
8:30pm to midnight
Pre-dance lesson @ 7:30pm
Alcohol-free / Snacks Provided
|
Gray Sky Blues Music Festival
The Swiss Restaurant & Pub
1904 So. Jefferson, Tacoma, 253-572-2821
For details and full schedule,
see: Tacoma Events |
April 13th, Saturday,
2pm
Free / All Ages |
Old Town Music Society Hall
Fundraiser and Swing Dance!
2101 N. 30th St., Tacoma, 253-572-2821
For more info email Steve Pielak,
at: Steve Pielak |
April 19th, Friday,
7:30-10:30pm
Pre-dance lesson at 7pm
$10 / Snacks Provided - BYOB
Attire: Semi-formal |
Crossroads Bellevue, Concert & Dance
International Market Stage
15600 NE 8th St., Bellevue
Click here: Crossroads Bellevue |
April 27th, Saturday
7-9:15pm
Free / All Ages
|
Gary Grape's Birthday Bash!
Stonegate Pizza
5419 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253-473-2255
Click
here: Stonegate Rocks |
April 28th, Sunday,
6-8pm
No Cover Charge
Ages 21+ |
Stay tuned for these and other events in 2013:
|
|
| Uncle Thurm's Soul Food, Tacoma
|
May 17th |
| Tacoma Jazz & Blues Festival, The Harmon
|
May 25th |
| Uncle Thurm's Soul Food, Tacoma
|
June 15th |
| USA Dance Tacoma, Lakewood Elks
|
June 22nd |
| Tacoma Freedom Fair
|
July 4th |
| Curran Apple Orchard Festival, University Place
|
August 8th |
| Dance For Joy, Freeway Park, Seattle
|
August 15th |
| USA Dance Tacoma, Lakewood Elks
|
August 24th |
The Reviews
Are In!
"What a knock-out performance at The New Orleans restaurant! If they could see you in New Orleans today you would probably revive the city in just one night....You are simply super!"
Norm Bobrow, NW Jazz Critic
"It's
a tough act to follow fireworks cascading off a new building and
white glove dinner service to a full symphony orchestra, but Maia
Santell and House Blend were the grand finale' to a very grand opening
of the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center !"
Doug Miller, producer
Grand Opening Open House and Gala
Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center
"Maia Santell
is one of the Northwest's most dynamic and refreshingly believable
vocalists. Her phrasing is impeccable and her voice is warm and
natural, totally free of the contrived theatricality that besets
many of her local contemporaries. Supported by the seasoned musicians
of House Blend, she offers one of the most brilliant sounds in the
local music scene."
Doug Bright, The Heritage
Music Review
"Maia and the boys’ new CD recorded
live at Jazzbones gives fans old and new a satisfying menu of songs
to listen at home or in the car. With 11 tracks of swing, blues and jazz,
this CD proves that Santell is the real deal when it comes to music. “Dance with Me!”
offers many songs from American music history as told through tunes written and
performed by some of the greatest musicians of yesteryear."
Matt Nagle, The Tacoma Weekly |
|
