Spellbinder Orchestra

With intricate arrangements that move from rousing and joyful to thoughtful and dreamy, Spellbinder Orchestra aims to enchant in an age of disenchantment. Born in the bay area, California, the group blends original folk music with elements of classical, cabaret, eastern European and rock. The group features a variety of instruments like ukulele, guitar, fiddle, cello, percussion, mandolin, harmonica, with both female and male lead vocals. Their music has been termed “Cowboy Victoriana,” “Folk-Noir,” and “Bohemian Folk-rock.” You decide, but be forewarned! A sprinkling of high octane vintage covers may suddenly interrupt your astral reverie and make you reach for fire water and dancing shoes.

Now a bicoastal collective, the band has appeared in both parts of the world including Bearsville OctoberFest, Beattie-Powers House, The Great Halloween Festival, Burning Man’s Decompression, San Francisco’s Edwardian Ball, WDST Radio Woodstock, The SF Free Folk Festival, SXSW unofficial showcases, and they’ll be at The Rip Van Winkle Wine, Beverage & Brew Fest this May.

With a background in social work and therapy, bandleader Alzara Getz finds inspiration in how people heal, or don’t. Lyrics often flow from the uncensored mythical realm of the human psyche, or languish in the modern wasteland with a touch of poetry and whimsy. She is the daughter of rock drummer Dave Getz, original drummer of Big Brother & The Holding Co. (Janis Joplin) and Nancy Baysinger, one of the first female recording engineers in the San Francisco bay area. Other members include cellist and sound sculptor, Cornelia Logan, a Hudson Valley native, who has played with Mamalama, Earth Opera and Free River band – local trendsetter and promoter, Max Fass, of Kingston’s own Balkan band, Mac ‘n Cheese, on accordion and keyboards – Al Muller on drums, who studied with Elvin Jones, Mel Lewis and John Riley – Chuck Jacob, who has a long musical association with Phil Hirschi of the Mahavishnu Orchestra – and multi-instrumentalist Kate Russo on violin, who has played with legendary bands Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks and Big Brother and the Holding Company.

https://spellbinderorchestra.com