Merlot Tide

Pianist Tom Trudell’s band experience includes, weddings, corporate parties, festivals, rock and roll, new age funk – in venues from San Francisco to Naselle. With a most fulfilling turn to jazz – you can hear Tom play jazz standards and originals in Astoria at venues like Bridgewater Bistro, Clemente’s, and Raven & Finch in Ilwaco.

Lew Chapman (trombone, trumpet, pocket trumpet, flugelhorn) resides in South Bend. Initially a Euphonium player, he is fluent on many tri-valve instruments and slide trombone. Lew retired as a trombone soloist in the Army’s elite big band,”The Jazz Ambassadors”. He has played and recorded with the Black Swan Classic Jazz Band featuring Marilyn Keller, and Lily Wilde and her Jumpin’ Jubilee Orchestra, and other NW artists.

Bassist Randy Brown lives in Ilwaco. While in San Diego, he owned a recording studio and graphic design business. He helped found  “Community Grown Artists” – a guild dedicated to promoting talent in Southern California. Randy has toured with the Barry Craig R&B Dance Band as the group’s guitarist, performing at numerous events.

Rick Pointer has enjoyed playing drums and percussion since middle school in the 70’s. Since then, Rick has evolved and performed in many genres. Learning and playing many music styles has kept his interest and Rick looks forward to more musical challenges and more fun!