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 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 2012
|
|
| Private Event, Seattle
|
April 1st, Sunday |
H.D. Hotspurs
315 Washington Ave. South, Kent
253-854-5653
Click here:
H.D. Hotspurs |
April 8th, Sunday
6-9pm
Dancing in the Lounge
No Cover Charge/Ages 21+ |
Educated Feet and Bainbridge Metro Parks/Dance!
Island Center Hall
8395 Fletcher Bay Road NE, Bainbridge Island
Click here:
Educated Feet |
April 14th, Saturday
8:30-11pm
Arrive at 7:30 for dance workshop |
Stonegate Restaurant & Lounge
5421 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma
253-473-2255
Click here:
Stonegate |
April 29th, Sunday
6-8pm
Upstairs, in the Lounge
Room to Dance!
Come celebtrate Gary Grape's Birthday! |
May 2012
|
|
Sonny Newman's Dance Hall
201 No. 85th St., Seattle
206-784-3010
Click here:
Sonny Newman's Dance Hall |
May 4th, Friday
8:30pm-midnight
(Arrive early for dance lesson) |
| Wedding Reception, Bellevue
|
May 11th, Friday |
| Private Party, Seattle
|
May 25th, Friday |
Tacoma Jazz & Blues Festival
The Harmon Brewery & Eatery (Blues Stage)
1938 Pacific Ave., Tacoma
253-383-2739
Click here:
Tacoma Jazz & Blues Festival |
May 26th, Saturday
3:30-4:30pm
No Cover Charge
All Ages! |
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 |
|
