Shades of Blue Jazz Band

Shades Of Blue Bio


The members of Shades of Blue began playing together 20 years ago when they met as students of the University of Maine atAugusta’s Jazz and Contemporary Music program.  They continued to perform together in various groups until the band was formed in its present configuration in 2008.  Since then, Shades of Blue has enjoyed an extensive playing schedule in mid-coast and down-East Maine, pleasing audiences with an eclectic mix of old time jazz favorites, blues, original compositions, and sometimes reggae. The core of Shades of Blue is Juliane Gardner – lead vocalist and rhythm guitar, Chris Poulin – lead guitar/vocals/flute, and Ezra Rugg – acoustic and electric bass. Depending on the occasion the band functions as a trio or a quartet adding Mark Macksoud on percussion. The band sometimes adds a piano, trumpet, or sax.

Juliane Gardner began singing for large audiences at the age of five, performing in musicals with Cold Comfort Productions for twelve years.  She started performing in bands as a teenager and then studied jazz vocals and piano at UMA.  At a very early age she began listening to and eventually emulating jazz greats such as Carmen McRae, Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Lambert Hendricks, and Ross, and Thelonious Monk.  Juliane is also influenced by singer/songwriters such as Paul Simon, Bonnie Raitt, Patty Griffith, Jack Johnson, and James Taylor.  The mixing of these two aesthetics is evidenced by her critically acclaimed albums Pack Saddle Road (2003), and You’ll Find it When You’re Not Looking (2009).  Juliane has shared the stage with Chris Smither, Jessie Winchester, and Noel Paul Stookey.  Her 2007 composition “Love and Comforting” was selected for inclusion in the nationally syndicated ABC TV series, Men in Trees in the spring of 2008.

Chris Poulin began playing guitar at the age of 9.  At this young age, he wore out the needle on his first record player while listening to the Beatles.  Chris went on to get a Bachelor’s degree in jazz from UMA, and a Master’s degree in jazz and classical guitar from Youngstown State University in Ohio.  While at YSU, Chris, (together with the YSU big band), won an award in the jazz world’s premiere magazine, Downbeat, for the best college big band in the US.  Chris has been a composer and a performer for 20 years in numerous jazz, blues, funk, and reggae groups throughout the US and on cruise ships in the Caribbean.  He has performed with jazz artists such as Kenny Burrell, Sean Jones, Bob Moses, James Weidman, and Deborah Davis.  More recently, Chris headlined the Hope Jazz Festival with the Pavvo Carey Quartet.  Chris’s influences include Wes Montgomery, B.B. King, Chet Baker, Nat King Cole, and Bob Marley.

Ezra Rugg formed the group Antigravity in 1995, a favorite on college campuses and clubs throughout New England that features Ezra’s unique fusion of jazz and funk original compositions.  He studied acoustic bass with New York session player Ben Street, electric bass with local legend Glen Dubois, Afro-Cuban percussion with Al Delgado, and drums with Steve Grover.  As a recording engineer, Ezra has produced albums with local groups Tree By Leaf, Shawn Mercer, the Straight Up Jazz Trio, and Shades Of Blue.  He also produces jingles for local radio.  Ezra has been frequently featured on Friday Night Jazz with host Rich Tozier on MPBN radio.     

Mark Macksoud is a sought after jazz drummer providing percussion for many jazz groups in Maine. Born and raised inWestchester, N Y, Mark has studied with Tony Williams, Ed Soph, Alan Dawson, and Fred Buda. He graduated from New England Conservatory and has performed with Cab Calloway, James Williams, Tiger Akoshi, and Bobby Watson.  He currently teaches drumming at Colby College and Perkins Music. 

Both Chris and Juliane are highly accomplished musicans, have CD's, radio interviews, benefits and extensive live performances to their credit. Juliane is sparkly, exceedingly  professional, has an awesome Jazz voice and with the addition of Chris Poulin and their bass player, delicious harmonies and "swing" dancin' come naturally.