Anna
Purnell – Vocals
The
Velvet Smash's lead vocalist was raised on jazz, opera, ethnic music,
and head-phones-only rock and roll listening. The Milwaukee native
has studied with Richard Davis and Joan Wildman, but is entirely to
blame for the way she turned out. Anna has fronted the Quickies and
the Reptile Palace Orchestra, is the adjunct vocalist with klezmer
phenoms Yid Vicious. Her other bands include Intemperance Collective
and The Dixie Sizzlers. In The Velvet Smash she builds upon her
lifelong commitment to torchiness, delight, silliness, and the
wearing of glamorous costumes and ridiculous foot-gear.
A native
of Pontiac, MI, Brady plays vibes and theramin Madison bands
including Yid Vicious, the Active Percussion Duo, Madison Symphony
Orchestra, the Gomers, Executive Tea Set, Yammer, and the Theramones.
He also plays solo occasionally, writes a little, and teaches
sometimes. Brady is hard at work on his forthcoming one-man show,
"Me, Me, Look at ME: A One-Man Show," and is very happy to
be married to The Velvet Smash's accordion and horn player, the
unflappable Kia.
A man of
mystery, talent, and innumerable projects, Michael heads up
performing and composing ventures, including The Improvisor's
Workbench, Executive Tea Set, Active Percussion Duo, Tomato Box, The
Ten Sleeps Trio. In addition to The Velvet Smash, he also performs
with The Sean Michael Dargan Band, The New Breed Quintet, Alison
Margaret Jazz Ensemble, and Kyle Henderson's Blue Eyed Soul.
When not
playing music, and even while doing so, Michael pursues a healthy
lifestyle that disturbs and amazes his band mates. We keep trying to
tell him that musicians are not supposed to engage in practices like
jogging, eating life-enhancing foods, or moderation. He scoffs at us.
Then he runs around the block and does a set of one-handed push-ups.
Born and
raised in Madison, WI, Kia also plays in Yid Vicious Klezmer
ensemble. Currently She has performed with the Con Vivo Chamber
Ensemble, Four Seasons Theatre, Capitol City Band and Madison
Savoyards, and occasionally plays bass with local rock outfits
including Yammer and the Theramones. With husband (and frequent
Reptile Palace Orchestra guest drummer) Geoff Brady, Kia has scored
experimental music for silent film screenings, staged sock puppet
tributes to the great philosophers, and organized armies of artists
for temporary public art projects at Ride the Drive and Madison
Museum of Contemporary Art. Kia works at the Madison Children's
Museum, where she often figures out ways to do this sort of stuff for
a steady salary.
This
Madison native has been the bass clarinetist in the Madison Symphony
Orchestra since the early 1970's. Other musical endeavors include the
Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble, Capitol City Band, the Dixie Sizzlers
(Dixieland), Yid Vicious (klezmer), Reptile Palace Orchestra (Balkan
lounge funk), North Country Drifters (Western swing), and Grupo
Candela (salsa, bachata, meringue).
Kevin
grew up in Cedar Grove, WI, playing trumpet until his freshman year
in college. It was then he picked up a knockoff Rickenbacker to join
his brother's rock band, and the trumpet was soon forgotten.
Playing
with the University of Wisconsin-Platteville's jazz groups led to a
summer cruise ship job and eventually to the upright bass he plays
with The Velvet Smash and Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble. Kevin has
also been involved with the groups Poor Charlie, The sQuids, and
Montankus.
