EPQ: One Girl, Three Guys, All Jazz

The Errol Previde Quartet, or EPQ as they would like to be known, is one of the most refreshing bands in Humboldt County today. A mix of smooth jazz, psychedelic rock and soulful blues is what makes this group so different. "We love what we are doing. People seem to pick it up and respond to it," said Previde.

The vocal talent of singer Christina Fernandez, with her breathy, sultry voice, is reminiscent of the great lady blues singers of long ago. She can also handle the punch that rock requires. She is an unpretentious, yet stylish woman with an air of sophistication that is not often found in contemporary bands.

Previde's guitar playing is remarkable to say the least. His guitar has the ability to scream psychedelic rock, set jazz on fire and drive a blues riff home.

Bradley Hoessle offers a solid backbeat for EPQ. This extremely talented drummer offers thundering sounds of an African beat on bongos, to the brushing of the skins that smooth jazz requires, with ease.

Matt Robinson recently joined EPQ with his ability to provide upright and electric bass. "We were really lucky to find him," Fernandez said. This reserved man is a gifted artist who provides bass for several other local groups in addition to EPQ.

When asked how they met, Previde said, "I heard Bradley banging on his drums when he lived in a apartment over me. We started playing together. Later, I was introduced to Christina. I was extremely impressed wither her vocal talent, and she then joined the group. She really brought some class to us. Matt joined when our former bass player, Trester Goetting graduated from HSU and left the area to work for a winery in Napa Valley."

Each of these performers has engaged in a search to find his or her own musical style.

"I started noticing rhythmic textures early on, especially through Peter Gabriel," Hoessle said. "When I listened to textures and feel, I tried to emulate them. This led to listening to African rhythm, especially congo and Afro-Cuban, rhythm and that brought a whole other depth to us.

"I listened to different forms of music seeking my own voice," Previde added. "Then I started playing from the heart. I was intrigued by how I could do that."

These artists truly love what they are doing, and people are responding to their music. Over the last three years they have practiced with devotion. Those growing success has made life very busy.

In fact, Fernandez balances her studies as a mathematics major, writing songs, doing the books for the band and performing.

"I can't imagine doing one without the other," Fernandez said. Each member of EPQ has roles in the management of the group. This brings an element of unity that is predominant in their music.

Through hard work and dedication, they have been able to answer the call of their fans and release a CD in 1998, title "Offerings." It offers style, as well as 11 original songs.

"I keep a journal," Fernandez said about song creation. "When Errol comes up with the tune, we try to put them (music and lyrics) together. Sometimes we need to change things a little, but we work it out." EPQ's ability and love of music can be heard on the CD. It can also be previewed over the Web and http://sterba.com/jukebox.

Previde mentioned that the release of the CD hasn't affected them as much as it has affected the way people treat them. "We used to be just another band in town. Now people take us seriously," he said.

With the release of this CD, the magic this group produces has become more apparent, and EPQ has been receiving accolades for its endeavors. This band has been gaining more attention recently since their humble beginnings at the Jambalaya on Thursday nights.

At Blues by the Bay in 1998, the group shines among the likes of Tommy Castro, The Robert Cray Band, and headliner Otis Clay, to the surprise of the critics and crowds.

They reigned supreme at the KRFH Battle of the Bands in 1999, winning the title of "Best Band of Humboldt County." One of the judges stated that EPQ's professionalism along with their talent gave them his vote.

The group said they did not have any set goals for EPQ. They are currently working on their second CD, which is to be released early next year. They may have no set goals but they set no limits either.

Hoessle said that he would like "to make music an ongoing way of making a decent living."