Whole Hog, a Ventura-based band performing traditional and old time music, performs at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena on Saturday, Nov. 26, starting at 7 p.m.
The band formed right as the pandemic hit. Practicing in backyards, nurturing the love of bluegrass, the band prepared for the world to reopen. In the short time since its conception, Whole Hog has performed throughout California in concert halls, bars, weddings, corporate events and festivals such as Huck Finn Jubilee and South State 48. Blending traditional bluegrass repertoire with Irish, jazz and progressive, original songwriting, Whole Hog wows audiences with instrumental mastery and lush vocal harmonies.
Whole Hog members include Seth Andrey Oster, who has performed with jazz luminaries Barbara Morrison, John Tchicai, and Barry Zweig at legendary venues such as the Catalina Jazz Club, the Lighthouse, and the Cicada Club. He is a contest winning flatpicker, fingerpicker, singer and yodeler. Trained in jazz and classical guitar at Cal State Northridge, the multi-instrumentalist has continued to nourish his passion for bluegrass, honky tonk, old time, Irish, pre-war blues and gypsy jazz.
Charletta Erb is a California State Adult Division Fiddle Champion recognized for her lyrical waltzes and clear tone. A deep affection for Irish and Old Time music permeates her performances. With her Rhonda Vincent-esque vocal quality, spunky stage presence and soulful vocal harmonies, she’s graced the stage at festivals including Parkfield, Great 48, South State 48, Good Old Fashioned, Topanga Banjo Fiddle Tailgate Jam.
Keith Frankel found his true passion as a teenager when he discovered the five-string banjo. He believes in a strong “Scruggs” foundation, while teaching students a variety of genres and techniques including Bluegrass, melodic, single string, Irish, folk, jazz, and Americana.
Corey Highberg plays upright bass and sings with the band. He teaches, researches, composes, and performs music in a variety of styles. He’s pursuing his Masters Degree in Musicology at CSU Long Beach.
Tickets to Saturday’s performance are $20. To reserve your tickets, call (626) 798-6236 or visit www.coffeegallery.com/blog/11-26-22-whole-hog.html.
