Beast Wellington

Artist Information

Biography

Instrumentation

Samantha Hewlett Reed - Vocals
Mark Ingraham - Cornet
Suzi Fischer - Sax
Chris Ryan - Guitar
Derrick Englert - Bass
Derek Goodall - Drums

Discography

Official Website

http://www.BeastWellington.com

Links

• Twitter
• Twitter
• Facebook
• MySpace

Audio

• Super Freak
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• I Miss You Baby
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• You Blow My Mind
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• Big Meaty
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• Brown Chicken Brown Cow
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Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Beast Wellingon by Nedra Miller [+ Show ]
  

  http://magazine33.com/issue/january-2010/article/beast-wellington It was a warm rainy Wedne...http://magazine33.com/issue/january-2010/article/beast-wellington
  
  
  
  
  It was a warm rainy Wednesday night. Instead of being at home, forty to fifty brave souls including me headed out with a common goal in mind. We eagerly anticipated hearing the funky sophisticated sounds of Beast Wellington. Prior to the show, I spoke with band leader Mark Ingraham who told me, "I write for people to dance. It's my driving force. I want people to love my music the way I do." I understood what he was telling me, however I had no idea what I was really in for.
  
  There we were, discussing how we felt about our first non-smoking night at the bar, when out of seemingly nowhere the trumpet hailed. With just the first note, they captured our attention. Mark Ingraham on trumpet along with the Femme Fatale Horns: Mary Lawrence Hicks on trumpet, Suzi Fischer on saxophone and Maureen Wisniewski on trombone were producing awe inspiring harmonies. Guitarist Chris Ryan exuded electricity from beginning to end. When asked to describe what he feels during a performance Chris said only this: "I just tend to play with my heart on my sleeve. I really don't know any other way!" If Chris' heart was beating similar to mine, we were both in sync with the pulse of the band bass guitarist, Derrick Englert, drummer, Devonne Harris and percussionist, Jeff Morris. These three gentlemen kept us all on beat and Mr. Morris even mystified us from time to time with chimes. Already pleasantly surprised by the sounds being produced by this band, I see Margaux LeSourd, vocalist, making her way to the stage. Hearing Ms. LeSourd's powerfully enchanting soulful voice was the moment I had been anticipating most. With style and grace she approached the microphone. As the words from "Its Love" by Jill Scott poured from her lips I could do nothing more than watch with admiration. We were all getting started dancing, when lo and behold, it was time for a set break.
  
  The second set opened with a song Mr. Ingraham wrote entitled "Brown Chicken Brown Cow." If you are anything like me you are wondering, what could that possibly sound like? My advice, don't even try to imagine. This one you just have to hear for yourself. Not only was this a cohesively composed piece, it was also a chance for Mr. Ingraham to engage the crowd by tossing them balloons and gracing us with his presence on the microphone. "Mark is good at producing counter and interlocking points. We are both growing and changing with this band," explains Ms. LeSourd during our evening interview. Though many of the members have known each other for years, playing for other local bands such as Bungalo 6 and Oregon Hill Funk All-Stars, it is almost unfathomable to believe this band has only been practicing together since August of this past summer. Mr. Ingraham already proclaims," I feel lucky. I feel I got it right." I wholeheartedly agree.
  
  If you enjoy dancing, laughing or even just tapping your feet Bogart's on Wednesday night is the place to be. Show starts at 10 but I recommend getting there by 9:30 for a good seat! Great music, great atmosphere, did I mention the show is free? Thought that would get your attention! I'll see you all there!
  Links:
  Facebook.com/BeastWellington
  Twitter.com/BeastWellington
  Myspace.com/BeastWellington
  
  
  

• Soulful singer/songwriter set to serenade students [+ Show ]
  

  Singer/songwriter Margaux LeSourd isn't scared of pop. Along with soulful, jazzy vocals LeSourd blen...Singer/songwriter Margaux LeSourd isn't scared of pop. Along with soulful, jazzy vocals LeSourd blends not only pop but rock, funk and jazz. The point, she said is to make her music accessible to a diverse audience.
  
  "(The music I play is) groovy but it's also got a lot of elements that are interesting to people who may be in the music scene and people who study music a little more," LeSourd said. "It's a nice blend of jazz and pop."
  
  LeSourd, a University of Richmond alumna, met Bungalo 6 member and VCU alumnus Mark Ingraham her junior year of college and started playing with the band soon afterward. LeSourd said she moved from Seattle to Richmond thinking she would pursue international relations, but instead said she couldn't stay away from music, a passion she has had since she was little.
  
  "I realized in college my love is composing and performing," LeSourd said. "I can't not do it."
  
  For the future, LeSourd is recording a new solo record this month and participating in Beast Wellington, a new band that has some members from Bungalo and a new female horn section. Beast Wellington includes VCU jazz studies majors Mary Lawrence Hicks, Suzi Fischer, Chris Ryan and Devonne Harris as well as education major Maureen Wisniewski. Ingraham said the reason LeSourd worked with Bungalo 6 and now Beast Wellington is the chemistry the members had.
  
  "She's got an incredible voice, great stage presence and is a super nice person," Ingraham said. "When you're performing with someone … there's either a lot of chemistry or there's not."
  
  Ingraham also said LeSourd connects with college audiences because she not only plays original songs, but covers songs that range from Amy Winehouse to Aretha Franklin. LeSourd said she likes to play good music, regardless of whether it's hers.
  
  "I really do enjoy playing my own music," LeSourd said. "But if you do a cover and make it your own, I think it's just as gratifying as playing your own music."
  
  In the end, LeSourd said she is living the dream.
  
  "I've always been into music," LeSourd said. "I always wanted to do it as a career. It's cool I actually ended up doing it."
  
  Margaux LeSourd will perform Tuesday, Sept. 8 from noon-1 p.m. at the VCU Commons Plaza as part of the Activities Planning Board Live Concert on the Plaza with special guest, Beast Wellington. Admission is free and open to the public.
  

• Now Hear This (4/7/2009) [+ Show ]
  

  Bungalo6, “Radio Ready — Mark Ingraham presents Bungalo6” (Self-Produced) The biggest surprise fr...Bungalo6, “Radio Ready — Mark Ingraham presents Bungalo6” (Self-Produced)
  
  The biggest surprise from the new Bungalo6 CD is the accuracy of the title. This is a flat-out, audience-friendly product from musicians whose goal goes beyond making a reputation to making a living. Most of the songs clock in at about four minutes, with intelligible pop lyrics and flashes of instrumental brilliance all in the service of concise composition.
  
  The CD kicks off with a minisong cycle with lyrics by vocalist Margaux LeSourd. “Strong Enough” combines modern R&B polish with metal guitar crunch; “Leaving It Up to You” pits dueling guitars against unison horns; “Not the One” starts as a straightforward slow ballad with a double-time bridge. At this point it seems pretty clear to which musical neighborhood this CD is going, except it isn’t. The next song is the ’70s soul mashup “Talking Dirty,” followed by a funk instrumental, the two-part Spanish-tinged “Hasta La Madre.” LeSourd shows up again on “I Miss You Baby,” quavering apologetically until the funk kicks in, then she disappears as the guys take a left turn into the mix of tight playing and goofy-nasty vocals with “Call Me the Butcher.” By the time it closes out with the “Thank You,” it’s clear that leader and composer Ingraham has accomplished something noteworthy. The album is a spin along the radio dial, experimenting with every station in Ingraham’s imagination. Most local band recordings are, at best, a recreation of the live experience; the variety and polished production of “Radio Ready” adds a new and compensating dimension. HHHHI — Peter McElhinney
  
  The band’s CD release party will be held Saturday, April 11. There will be an early show at Plan 9 Music in Carytown at 3 p.m. and another show that evening at the Camel at 9:30 p.m. 358-4901
  

• High Notes: Get to know these local bandleaders now - they're going places [+ Show ]
  

  Mark Ingraham, a trumpeter and singer, started writing songs for his nine-member Bungalo 6 back when...Mark Ingraham, a trumpeter and singer, started writing songs for his nine-member Bungalo 6 back when he was studying jazz at VCU. Two years later, the band has an album, "Radio Ready", and lively monthly gigs at Sine'.

• Richmond Jazz Society Guest Educators Series presents Bungalo 6 [+ Show ]
  

  Trumpeter/Flugelhornist Mark Ingraham has quickly become one of the most versatile young lions on th...Trumpeter/Flugelhornist Mark Ingraham has quickly become one of the most versatile young lions on the Richmond Jazz scene. In 2006 this Virginia-based composer founded Bungalo 6, nine talented musicians, many of whom recently graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University’s renowned jazz program. Their debut album, “Radio Ready”, features sassy vocals backed by powerful dance grooves and funky horn lines. The twelve original tracks not only showcase the talents of the individual players, but also the band’s versatility as a whole. Ingraham has packaged an impressive collection of jazz influenced compositions, full of rhythmic and harmonic complexity, yet appealing to a wide audience. It is definitely ready! Copies of the CD will be available.
  
  

Setlist

Covers:

Paris- Grace Potter
Canned Heat- Jamoquai
Kiss- Prince
Superstition- Stevie Wonder
It's Love- Jill Scott
Rolling In The Deep- Adele
Tell Me Something Good- Chaka Khan
Inside and Out - The Bee Gees
Spanish Joint- D'Angelo
Footloose- Kenny Loggins
How Long Do I Have To Wait For You- Sharon Jones
Working Day and Night- Michael Jackson
No Good- Amy Winehouse
Georgia On My Mind- Ray Charles
Super Freak - Rick James
Chain of Fools- Aretha Franklin
What You Won't Do For Love- Bobby Caldwell
Ain't No Sunshine- Bill Withers
Back To Black- Amy Winehouse
Tyrone- Erykah Badu
It Ain't Over Til' It's Over- Lenny Kravitz
Just Kissed My Baby- Meters
I Will Survive- Gloria Gaynor
Crazy Race- Roy Hargrove
Sissy Strut- Meters
Mercy Mercy Mercy

Originals:

Brown Chicken Brown Cow
Strong Enough
Leaving It Up To You
Not The One
Talkin' Dirty
Room 103
Hasta La Madre
I Miss You Baby
Sassy Beast
Skip A Beat
Thank You

Basic Requirements

Calendar