Long Bio (472 words)

 

Sticks and Stone is a percussion trio that brings audiences on a joyful musical journey with the “piano of the jungle”  —the marimba. 

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"The marimba-band you didn’t know you needed. Pop, folk, global rhythms—and a stage presence that’s part concert, part theatre.  THE marimba band of Alberta (maybe Canada!).”  –Michael Hrycun, Foundry Events

 

They can be frequently found performing at farmers’ markets, concert halls, schools, birthday parties and celebration events of the Edmonton area.  They play a bit of every style of music and performances have included playing for the CBC Turkey Drive, the North Country Fair, the Epcor Christmas Gala, the ATB/TELUS Barbeque and the City of Edmonton New Year’s Eve in the Francis Winspear Centre.   

 

Their 2020 debut album “Marimba Around the World” mixed folk music from 15 countries with pop, rock and jazz, seeing national radio-play. 

They have played for audiences from ages 2 to 95 and might equally present as punk or polite.  They widely connect with audiences by playing covers of popular music with a classical 5-octave marimba, a drumset, often a vibraphone and sometimes other percussion instruments.  They also enjoy broadening horizons, sharing jazz, classical and original group-composed music.  Through the rosewood warmth of the marimba, they make every performance a fun, shared experience, frequently including humorous antics and audience participation.

 

“This group had everyone engaged, bobbing along in their seats, learning, and enjoying the incredible sounds from the marimba. The musicians interacted so incredibly with the students, staff, and guests. It was a blast for everyone”—Tanya Frigault, elementary music specialist.

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Between his time at the University of Alberta and Grant MacEwan University, freelance performances and busking, Stephen Stone experimented with percussion ensembles of various types. Three people on one marimba (or, two people on one marimba, with the third person on drum set) was a natural development from this, allowing for enjoyable performances and interactive fun.

 

In April 2017, after being caught on cellphone at a farmers’ market street performance and also releasing a music-video cover of “Under the Sea”, jokes and experiments became serious.  Sticks and Stone became a cohesive concept as it was asked to perform for the 2017 Ford World Curling Championship, the Edmonton Motor Show, and the Festival City Winds Ragtime and Riffs concert.

 

“Your performances at the city market this morning were awesome!  As an international music examiner, I loved hearing you.  My house guest is a fantastic percussionist from Indonesia and he was also very impressed.  You play with such skill, enthusiasm and musical integrity.  Wow!" —Dr John Hooper, choral conductor

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Sticks and Stone Percussion is currently working to complete their second full-length album, “High Information Music for Children”, which brings jazz-inspired elements to children’s folk-music.  The album aims to be accessible while also challenging the listener to engage on a deeper level with complex musical ideas. 

 

Short Bio #1 (58 Words)

 

Sticks and Stone is a marimba-band which has been bringing music to the streets, concert halls and celebration events of the Edmonton area since 2017.  Through the rosewood warmth of the marimba, they share a joyful experience with audiences, frequently including humorous antics.  They perform a little of every style of music, including world-folk, rock, jazz and Disney. 

 

Short Bio #2 (152 Words)

 

Sticks and Stone is a percussion trio based on marimba-band concept which has been bringing music to the streets, concert halls, schools, birthday parties and celebration events of the Edmonton area since 2017.  They play a little bit of every style of music and performances have included playing for the CBC Turkey Drive, the Edmonton Fringe Festival, the Epcor Christmas Gala, the North Country Fair, Taste of Edmonton and the City of Edmonton New Year’s Eve in the Winspear.  Their 2020 debut album “Marimba Around the World” mixed folk music from 15 countries with pop, rock and jazz.  They have played for audiences from ages 2 to 95 and might equally present as punk or polite.  They most widely connect with audiences by playing covers of music they might recognize, including Disney and video-game.  Through the rosewood warmth of the marimba, they share a joyful experience with audiences, frequently including humorous antics. ​