the ROBERT EVEREST EXPEDITION

The Robert Everest Expedition is a Minneapolis-based Latin-American and Mediterranean influenced group whose music ranges from American jazz to Brazilian funk, Spanish flamenco to Italian folk, Cuban Son to Mexican Huapango, and several original compositions in many different musical styles and languages. This music cannot be classified, and therein lies the magic that the audience experiences. The musicians are united by their exploration into world music and their constant hunger to grow individually and as a group. All of them are involved in a wide variety of musical endeavors, and the Robert Everest Expedition is an attempt to integrate all of the far-reaching interests of these four (plus more, at times) eclectic musicians into one ensemble. After an evening of music with this group many audience members feel they have been around the world and have thoroughly enjoyed the ride!

Robert Everest is a musician, singer, and songwriter whose ravenous appetite for the music of the world will never allow him to be confined to any one particular style. A native Minnesotan, he was first introduced to the piano at age 5, and at age 12 he acquired his first guitar, which remains his primary instrument, although he still composes and performs on piano, as well as many stringed instruments from around the world, including mandolin, Cuban tres, Andean charango, and Brazilian cavaquinho. Robert also played bass guitar and percussion in the world music group Kangaroo, which produced 2 recordings between 1996 and 1998.

Though mostly self-taught, Robert has studied jazz guitar in Minneapolis, classical guitar in Portugal, flamenco in Spain, Tango in Argentina, and many other Latin American styles of music throughout Central and South America and the Caribbean. His vocal technique has developed through many years of singing and instruction, including four years with the University of Minnesota Jazz Singers. During the last 20 years Robert’s second life calling has been foreign language. With a degree in linguistics from the University of Minnesota, and many travels and studies in Latin America and Southern Europe, Robert has become fluent in several romance languages, which he brings to the stage in the songs he performs.

Over the last few years Robert has become the quintessential full-time musician, performing an average of 4-5 times per week, rehearsing, teaching, managing several ensembles, and recording. He has recorded two solo CDs of music from Latin America, which have received national radio play and taken him to many international tour destinations. He has also recorded with his Brazilian quintet, Beira Mar Brasil, which performs regularly in the Twin Cities. Robert has been dreaming of having an original world music quartet for many years, and upon meeting Marco, Michael, and Tony, this dream has become a reality.

Marco Sambrotta was born in Rome, Italy and began playing guitar at age 7. At age 9 he was introduced to the piano, which to this day remains his primary instrument of expertise. He studied music at the Vatican Conservatory in Rome, and in 1985 he moved to the United States and studied music composition at Whitworth College in Spokane Washington, where he lived from 1985 to 1990. After living in Rome again during the next 5 years, Marco moved back to the United States in 1995, this time settling in Minneapolis, MN.

In the 10 years he has been living in Minneapolis, Marco has explored a variety of musical settings, including ensemble and solo performances on piano, guitar, and vocals. Marco and Robert were introduced in the summer of 2001 by mutual Italian friend and fellow musician Alessandro Giua. Throughout the following years this partnership grew and became the foundation of the Everest Expedition, through hundreds of hours of collaboration - composing, arranging, recording, and performing together. Marco, like Robert, is constantly exploring many different styles of music from around the world, and has composed music in a myriad of musical genres.

Michael Bissonnette, originally from New Bedford, Massachusetts, has been studying drum set and percussion for over 30 years. After receiving a music degree in 1983, he moved from Massachusetts to California, where he performed at Tibbies' Music Hall in Huntington Harbor from 1984 to 1990, and played drums at Knotts' Berry Farm's Can-Can Show for six and a half years. During this time Michael met Canyon Recording Artist Xavier Quijas Yxayotl, who taught him about the music and musical instruments of ancient Mexico.

Subsequently, Michael learned how to make many different types of indigenous percussion instruments, began to collect instruments from all over the world, and energetically dove into many different styles of world music. Other musical ventures in California included participation in the musical performances of the Orange County High School of the Arts, and two summers with the Starview Residential Facility in Torrance. During this time he worked with severely emotionally disturbed children ages 9 to 17. Through Michael’s facilitation of drum circles at Starview, the students developed team-working skills, and improved focusing abilities and self-esteem.

In 1999 Michael’s marriage brought him to Minneapolis, where he continues to perform, record, teach percussion and drum set lessons, and facilitate community drum circles in the Minneapolis area. He can be seen performing with Katie McMahon, the original voice of Riverdance, and other great local musicians such as Laura Mackenzie, Robert Everest, Heart of the City, and Glen Helgeson. Some of the percussion instruments that Michael plays include the berimbau, cuica, and pandeiro from Brazil; the doumbec from the Middle East; the djembe, log drums and caxixi from Africa; the Irish bodhran; the Aztec Death Whistle, the American drum set, and spoons. Michael and Robert met in September 2002 while performing in the Latin Renaissance concert at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis.

Tony Axtell, another native Minnesotan, graduated from the Musician's Institute Of Technology in Los Angeles, CA with a degree in bass studies. A true multi-instrumentalist, he is an accomplished bassist, keyboardist, drummer, guitarist, vocalist, and a prolific composer, arranger, and producer. Tony's fretless bass work can be heard on the title cut from the latest Ricky Peterson CD, "Souvenir" (Windham Hill) as well as his vocals on the CD's first single "Can We Still Be Friends?". Tony produces several CD’s per year for

Stillwater-based, Faith Inkubators and has also produced music for the Target stores CD series.

Throughout his 25 year career, Tony has toured nationally and internationally with an array of artists including jazz vocalist and Grammy nominee Mark Murphy, Japanese producer/keyboardist and multi-Grammy winner Toshi Hinata & his band "Apple", R&B funk group the "KAJ Orchestra", the fusion group "Samoa", guitarist Jimi Behringer, and saxophone player Ronny Loew. Career highlights include recording with David Sanborn's keyboardist and musical director, Ricky Peterson, touring with vocalist Mark Murphy, an appearance with an all-star big band for First Lady Hilary Clinton at the State Theatre, and an impromptu performance with Wynton Marsalis. Tony has also collaborated with musician/songwriter Marissa Dodge and vocalist/songwriter Diana Grasselli, formerly of Desmond Child and Rouge. Tony recently produced a CD project for internationally known Japanese pianist Yukiko Isomura. Tony and Robert met at Tony's birthday party in 2003 at the Artist's Quarter in St. Paul where they performed together for the first time. More information at www.tonyaxtell.com

photos by Bryan Aaker

Other musicians that perform regularly with the Robert Everest Expedition include bassist Jocko MacNelly and drummer Andy Artz, who, along with Peruvian percussionist, Chico Chávez, and Prairie Home Companion veteran violinist, Gary Schulte, are featured on the new CD, which is now available for order. The Robert Everest Expedition can be hired for club dates, music festivals, wedding receptions, restaurant entertainment, corporate events, and house parties. Go to the Contact page to inquire about booking the Robert Everest Expedition.

Check the performance calendar for upcoming shows.