Band Bios

Jazz in Blume’s mission is to provide quality music for any occasion.  To that end we have a wonderful variety of musicians that we may draw from to round out the band whether it’s a duo you’re looking for or up to 6 musicians for a high energy evening, Jazz in Blume strives to give you just what you’re looking for in live music.  If you have any questions about the musicians of Jazz in Blume or wish to contact them about the other groups they play with, please send Tracy an email at jazzinblume@aol.com with your request and she’ll be happy to put you in touch.  Let’s help keep live music alive!

Tracy BlumeTRACY BLUME 
Band Leader/Vocals

Tracy began singing at the age of three with her first solo “I’m A Lonely Little Petunia In An Onion Patch” and has been singing ever since.

Tracy studied opera at the Escuela Superior de Canto in Madrid, Spain and she also has a background in musical theatre, jazz/pop ensembles and production. Tracy and her husband, Roger, moved to the peninsula in the fall of 2002 and have been enjoying the wealth of talented musicians and musical opportunities that life on the North Olympic Peninsula has to offer. 

Tracy enjoys playing around the Peninsula in all formats from duo combinations at Michael’s Divine Dining of Port Angeles the trio format at the Olympic Cellars Winery to the “anything goes!” excitement of the weekly JazzExpress Jazz jam that she and her band, Jazz in Blume host every Wednesday at the Crazy Fish Restaurant in Port Angeles.

It’s a pleasure and a privilege to play with the wonderfully talented musicians of area and its Tracy’s hope to keep live music alive and thriving on the peninsula for all to enjoy!  Tracy’s vocal range along with her infectious joy in the songs that she sings makes her a true delight.

TOM SVORNICH 
Drums/Vocals

Tom SvornichTom is a Bainbridge Island native who now calls Chimacum home.  Tom brings more than 30 years of professional drumming experience to the group.  Starting out as a self-taught rock drummer, Tom eventually studied jazz and jazz drumming while in his twenties. 

A long time fixture on the music scene in Seattle, Tom has played just about every genre of music from blues to rock-n-roll and jazz.  He has worked up and down the west coast from Lost Angeles to Alaska with numerous groups including blues greats Albert Collins, Charlie Musselwhite, Issac Scott and regional favorites like The Magnetics & the Fabulous Fenderskirts. 

Tom plays every 4th Monday with the Reflections at 7 Cedars Casino in Sequim and with a variety of Port Townsend musicians like Herb Payson, Dirk Anderson, Joel Levy, Chuck Easton & George Radebaugh in addition to his regular gigs with Jazz in Blume.  Tom has a melodic way of approaching the drums and his in-depth knowledge and understanding of the music he plays gives his drumming that “special something” that has you clamoring to hear more.  A true jazz drummer he’s a vocalist’s best friend!

RAY WOOD 
Guitar

Ray WoodThere are no words that can adequately describe the magic that is Ray Wood.  Ray is a talented guitarist, generous mentor, a magical musician that lives to bring out the best in other musicians.  His wealth of musical knowledge and his willingness to share his knowledge makes him very special.  

Ray knew at an early age that he was going to make music his life’s work.  Rays musical career has taken him all the way to the Far East in the 50’s & 60’s playing guitar for stars on their way up and on their way down.  He’s played with Guy Mitchell, toured with the Coasters and many more.

Ray plays all genres of music from 50’s rock-n-roll with the Rhythm Rockets, a group he founded with his brother over 25 years ago, to gypsy jazz with Hot Club Sandwich and classic jazz standards with Jazz in Blume.  Ray calls Port Orchard home and we couldn’t be happier that he travels to the North Olympic Peninsula regularly to play for and with us!

GERT WIITALAGert Wiitala
Piano

Gert brings a wealth of experience to the bandstand.  Gert has a long and illustrious career in music and we're lucky to have her share her talents with us right here on the North Olympic Peninsula. An accomplished classical pianist, Gert has a degree in vocal music and has also taught voice and musical theatre.  She’s a professional accompanist for vocalists as well and she enjoys playing Chamber Music.  Gert was the principal pianist for four years with the Stardust Big Band in Sequim, Washington and in addition to playing with Tracy she has her own trio, “Just Friends”.

 

 

GEORGE RADEBAUGH 
Piano

George RadebaughGeorge is “thee” piano man for the music scene in Port Townsend.  You can often find him playing Lanza’s Italian restaurant or playing the blues with his group “The Delta Ray’s”.  George plays with many different musicians around the peninsula and is always in demand for his talents.  You can regularly find him holding court the second to last Sunday of the month with Rex Rice’s penultimate jazz jam at the UpStage restaurant and theatre where some of the area’s best musicians come to sit-in.  You can contact George at:gradebaugh@yahoo.com

 

 

TED ENDERLE Ted Enderle
Bass

What a coup for Jazz in Blume to enjoy the extraordinary talents of Ted Enderle on upright bass.  Ted has had a long career in music that began way back in Philadelphia, PA playing weddings and special events.  Currently residing on Bainbridge Island Ted also plays with Savoy Nights the 1st  Monday of every month at 7 Cedars Casino in Sequim, WA.  

 

 

Chuck EastonCHUCK EASTON 
Guitar/Sax/Flute

Chuck is a well known fixture on the musical scene in Port Townsend, Washington; he is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA where the guitar was his primary instrument.  He is also accomplished on the bass, alto saxophone, flute, trombone and piano. Chuck writes and arranges music and dabbles with the Eb tuba.  Chuck lives in Chimicum, WA with his wife Autumn Scott.  He teaches full time at Crossroads Music in Port Townsend and he loves to gig.  You can contact him at: ceaston@olympus.net

GARY McROBERTS 
Piano

Gary is a classically trained pianist and although his first love is the classical genre, his versatility enables him to comfortably slip into the big band era when he plays with the Stardust Big Band or jazz it up with Tracy as the Jazz in Blume Duo performing the standards from the classic American Songbook at Michael’s Divine Dining once a month.  Gary teaches music, serves as an adjudicator for music students and accompanies music students for recitals & competitions.  Gary gives countless hours of his time giving the benefit of his expertise to up and coming young musicians.  You may have recently had the pleasure of hearing Gary when he accompanied Broadway star Carol Zwarbuck-Dries in her one woman show benefiting Habit for Humanity.

ROGER BLUME Roger Blume
Owner/Sound

Roger is a tireless supporter of Jazz in Blume and all their musical endeavors.  In addition to financing the bands creative projects Roger also runs sound for them and assists Tracy as her “wardrobe manager”, “Diva driver”, “duet partner” when called upon (check out “Baby It’s Cold Outside” on Jazz in Blumes “What A Wonderful World” CD) and “roadie”.  The band appreciates his dedication to the music and recognizes his valuable role in the bands success.