What do you get when you combine a piano, percussion instruments and one unique voice?
Scott Cossu & The Sliderz, a trio of independently renowned musicians and composers, making their first appearance together in Moab at the Helipad on Saturday, Aug. 25, at 7:30 p.m.
The musical trio of Scott Cossu, Beth Quist and Scott Doser tour together only occasionally as Scott Cossu & The Sliderz. This tour consists of four stops, beginning in Denver, and including Telluride, Hesperus and Moab.
The Moab performance is at the Helipad, 239 W. Center St., and is facilitated by musician Richard Cooke. Cooke is a former Moab City Council member and a past performer at the Moab Music Festival.
“I have a long history in Moab, but I’ve been away for 15 years,” he said. “I love Moab — I’m building a house there now.”
Scott Cossu & The Sliderz perform interactive semi-improvisational concerts for intimate crowds. In Durango, Colorado, where Cooke currently lives, Scott Cossu & The Sliderz performed in his 27-foot yurt.
Scott Cossu & The Sliderz perform a variety of music genres, such as jazz, Latin and “boogie woogie.”
“…For the last three or four years Beth Quist and I have been playing with Scott [Cossu],” Scott Cossu & The Sliderz percussionist Scott Doser said. “Piano, percussion and vocals is not a combination you see every day, but it’s something that has worked so well for us. We just have so much fun together.”
Scott Cossu & The Sliderz described their performances as fun and magical.
“I’ve done this a long time and this is one of the more fresh trios,” Cossu said. “I tell people it’s piano, percussion and animated vocals, and of course that leaves a little bit of question around what animated vocals. It’s ambient, it doesn’t get in your way and it enhances the style.”
Quist, singer and percussionist, explained how each musician brings something unique to the trio.
“Initially, I was a singer with them and then brought in my percussion,” she said. “My percussion skills are more groove oriented — I’m not much of a soloist, so I enjoy holding a groove or baseline so Scott Doser can play over top.”
As their performances evolve, they improvise their shows, Quist said.
“We haven’t played together in two years so I’m really excited,” she said. “Scott Cossu writes beautiful melodies and leaves spaces for improvisation so it’s fun to try and fill those spaces and complement what he writes. He also has a background in world music, so we have some interesting common ground that you wouldn’t necessarily expect by listening to the material that he chooses on this kind of a tour.”
All three of the performers have found success individually as musicians.
Quist is a four-octave vocalist and composer who has done work with Bobby McFerrin and Cirque du Soleil; she continues to travel and perform.
Cossu is a recording artist and composer who has most recently been nominated for the One World Music Radio Lifetime Achievement Award.
Doser has toured all over the world playing drums and percussion with many different bands and he currently manages Studio in the Clouds in Telluride.
“Since this is our first appearance in Moab with this trio, we’re really excited to be there,” Cossu said. “We’re going to present a fun concert. People will really feel good because it will be a concert that wraps a lot of styles together and presents it with a sense of integrity and humor. Hopefully, it will capture the souls and hearts of your little community.”
“We’re really a band that is about really enjoying ourselves and our audience and just having fun,” Doser said. “That’s it, we’re just out to have a good time, and have a good time with other people.”
“The Helipad allows itself to be a venue for traveling musicians that is low-key and affordable,” Cooke said. “I think it’s really wonderful for Moab and a real gift to the town.”
Admission to the all-ages event is by donation.
World-class musicians showcase unique combination of piano, percussion and voice
“Since this is our first appearance in Moab with this trio, we’re really excited to be there … We’re going to present a fun concert. People will really feel good because it will be a concert that wraps a lot of styles together and presents it with a sense of integrity and humor. Hopefully, it will capture the souls and hearts of your little community.”
When: Saturday, Aug. 25, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Helipad, 239 W. Center St.
Cost: By donation
Note: This is an all-ages event
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