Performers

The eclectic and cross-cultural nature of Kutandara’s vision has attracted a stunning array of talented musicians. Previous members include: Chantel Mead (lead vocalist of 8traC), Scott Mast (Aphrodisiac percussionist), and Ron Aggabao (guitarist for JAKA, Boubacar Diabate and Jyemo), Loren Mach (Chinyakare, RhythmWalk Zimbabwe), Melinda Evans (The Zebras), and Melissa Crocker (Ande Marimba).

Current band membership includes:

Grant Peck, marimba
One of the newer additions to the band, Grant got hooked on the upbeat, rhythmic sound of Kutandara after hearing them play at the Boulder Creek Festival in 2005.  With a distant background studying music in High School and College, (he was a music major 35 years ago) he longed to get back into pursuit of the music career he once aspired to have.  He jumped into the African marimba scene with both feet and has been running ever since.  As a consummate, dedicated student of marimba he has developed into an energetic, passionate player.


Kurt Eherenman, saxophone, percussion
Kurt started saxophone in the 4th grade, going on to play lead alto in top jazz ensembles at the University of Colorado, Metro State College, and University of Nevada. In addition to Kutandara, he plays with the Bluezhouse, The Colorado Jazz Workshop and Flatirons Jazz.


Clint Nieman, marimba
Prior to his work with Kutandara, Clint was active as a performer, educator, and composer in Iowa and throughout the Midwest.  While finishing his bachelor’s degree in percussion performance at Iowa State University, Clint performed with the Des Moines Symphony, Peoria Symphony, and the Dubuque Colts Drum and Bugle Corps.  No stranger to the marimba world, Clint has studied with some of the most talented classical marimbists and educators in the country including Leigh Howard Stevens, Michael Burritt, and She-e Wu.


David Simon, marimba and mbira
Originally trained as a pianist, David knew that he was hooked on marimba the day of his first lesson in 2002. Since then, David has also gone on to learn the ancient and difficult 28-key hand-held African thumb piano known as the “mbira,” which is featured on several Kutandara songs.


Jon Stubbs, trombone, percussion
Jon took up playing this telescoping, brass, raspberry-amplifier back when he was a spirited youth. He studied trombone at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. He now teaches music to the spirited youths at Alexander Dawson School. Jon is one of the founding members of the fascinating band, Hamster Theatre. In addition to composing and arranging for H.T. and his band classes, Stubbs has composed and produced original scores for television programs and dance performances.

Nick Truesdale, marimba
For the past seven years, Nick has accrued experience in both choir and marimba, singing with excellent school choirs and playing in a variety of marimba bands, most notably Shamwari. He combines a choral understanding of melody and tune with the precise rhythm of percussion in order to be a versatile marimba player. Additionally, he just "gets it"; his natural affinity for music means you will often see him on the lead or other complex parts. He has worked with many notable teachers/mentors, giving him a wide variety of sources to draw skills and inspiration from.