What do you call a band of cellists?
A horde sounds about right, says Portland Cello Project founding member Douglas Jenkins.
And just who shows up to see a band of classically trained cellists playing everything from classical gems to heavy-metal headbangers?
Surprising, everyone from hipsters to smartly dressed symphony-goers.
We caught up with Jenkins by phone somewhere in Montana to chat about the six-year-old ensemble and life on the road.
How many cellists are you traveling with?
"Cellists in the van right now are six. There's a trumpet player and a percussionist and a wonderful singer."
When you drive, where do you store the cellos?
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"They take up a chunk of the van, but we fit. They are in the back of the van, sideways. And then we have a floating trailer that holds everything else."
Cellos are such an interesting instrument for pop music.
"The whole philosophy of the group is to bring the cello to as many different types of venues and types of audiences as possible."
How would you describe your music?
"It's variable like the weather report in Montana: It changes every five minutes. Whatever we do, we'll do something totally different next. You can expect everything from classical music and jazz to heavy metal and hip-hop."
And a cello is a good instrument to convey all of those genres?
"It's a very versatile instrument with the range and the textures and stuff, the sounds you can get out of it. It's not the instrument you would associate with those genres generally, but like with any type of music there are wonderful pieces of music written within it that do translate very well. So we try to pick those out and mess around with them and put our own take on it."
Is one of you goals to introduce classical music to nonclassical audiences?
"Definitely. There's always some classical music on the program. The goal is really to bridge the divide, not so much to play funny music on the cello. It's to bridge different types of music together."
It's interesting that instruments we normally associate with symphonic music are now making their way into mainstream pop.
"I think it was only a matter of time before it was realized on a mass scale that it can be used in any genre - a violin, a viola or a cello, and even the winds and brass, as well."
What kind of audience shows up to your shows?
"It's very diverse. All ages, all backgrounds. Expect to be sitting next to someone you would never expect to sit next to at a concert."
Does the symphony crowd show up?
"It depends on the town. In Tucson, that seems to be the case. Our last two shows there, that's how it was. We also get a lot of cellists. Generally there is a contingent from the symphony and they dress like the symphony and mix right in, which is great. But that's OK. We've learned we must dress up, too. We don't wear tuxes, but we try to keep it classy. Cello is a classy instrument."
If You go
• What: Portland Cello Project with The Alialujah Choir.
• When: 8 p.m. today.
• When: Solar Culture, 31 E. Toole Ave.
• Cost: $10 at the door.
• Details: Call 884-0874 or online at www.solarculture.org
