Julie Amici Band Is a New Act That Has Some Familiar Faces From the Portland Blues Scene

One of the Muddy Award “Best New Act” Nominees is the Julie Amici Band. Julie Amici is the collaboration between vocalist Julie Yanko and bassist Dean Mueller, which got its beginnings in late 2014. The name is derived from Julie’s first name, and Amici, the original family name of Dean’s father. “Much like the name is a melding of the two, the music is much the same, combining Julie’s country roots and childhood dreams of singing jazz, with my deeply rooted blues foundation,” according to Dean.

“Although we perform as a duet, we usually team up with a guitarist to perform as a trio. The two main calls have been Chris Carlson or Alan Hager on guitar. With Chris’s move to Florida, the recent transplant, Mark Shark, has started to perform regularly with the trio. When drums are called for, our first call is always Carlton Jackson. All of these artists have made very meaningful contributions to the Julie Amici sound.”

Dean discussed the flexibility of the band. “We have hired many sidemen along the way including Dave Fleschner, Henry Cooper, and Dan Gildea. They are by no means ‘former’ bandmembers as I am sure they will be back at some point. In addition to the excellent support and influence that Chris Carlson and Alan Hager have been to our development, we have also received some great support from Curtis, Duffy, LaRhonda, Rich, and many other amazing humans—you know who you are—thank you!”

They describe their music as late 50’s period vocal centric blues/jazz and roots. “Sultry and alluring but firmly grounded in the blues.” According to their bio, “Julie’s strong yet sweet voice is reminiscent of the 50’s when female singers ruled the world of music, a time when jazz and blues co-mingled at the height of popular culture. Her repertoire combines the jazz of Billie Holiday with the soul of Nina Simone and the sophisticated country of Patsy Cline. Dean’s bass playing is rooted in the blues chops he learned playing with some of the finest blues legends in America and touring with the award winning international act, The Insomniacs.”

Musical History

Dean has been playing professionally since 2006 when The Insomniacs were formed and has played with a variety of acts in the Northwest ever since. In 2014 Dean had drafted Chris Carlson to play a couple gigs at the coast and they slowly developed the act and the band “Julie Amici”. It was officially formed in late 2014 when Julie quit her day job to pursue music full time.

“Ever since I was a child, I’ve envisioned myself singing in a red dress onstage, (she says with a chuckle.) I had no idea how that was going to happen. It’s been a long road, a lot of hard work, and on-the-job learning. I don’t come from a musical family, and was not encouraged to follow a musical path when I was younger. But my dream was always there, so eventually I started following my heart,” Julie said.

“I took voice lessons with Thomas Blaylock after Curtis suggested I do so. Dean has helped me to refine my voice, listening to the nuances, and developing a better ear as well. We also attend a weekly musical/jam tutorial called AJAM, Alan Jones Academy of Music.”

In addition to music, Julie has several side projects. “I have always enjoyed creating, so I paint and sew. I have an etsy shop, gofiggy, and have my paintings in galleries. I work at a wine bar and a small hi-tech business, both part-time jobs at the coast, so I am back and forth to the city every other week. I’m also a yoga and life-drawing model.”

Dean played trumpet in grade school and always wanted to be a musician. “But I doubted my capabilities to make it work. After going to college I dropped music completely but always wanted to return to it someday. That day came in 2003 when I purchased an upright bass and went to the Centrum Blues Camp up in Port Townsend, Washington. Over that week the confidence and desire returned and I came away with the desire to fulfill my childhood dreams and have not looked back.”

Dean’s training has come from various teachers but he says the majority of his learning has been from listening to old recordings and emulating his favorite players and songs.

“My job revolves around all things musical. I book and produce shows at Lake Theater & Café in Lake Oswego and also perform similar functions at venues on the coast and in Hood River. I also offer web consulting for musicians, studio work, producing, and teaching. I have been on the faculty for the Centrum Blues Fest for the past 10 years. In addition to Julie Amici, I play with the Duffy Bishop band and I pick-up gigs with many northwest and national artists.”

Musical Influences

When Julie talks about musical influences she says, “Oh, there are so many and the list grows every day. A lot of local musicians whom I’ve been able to know personally have offered their guidance. When I was younger it was Billie Holiday, Tori Amos, Jewel, Nina Simone, then Anita O’Day, and Dinah Washington —. now Julie London, Patsy Cline, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn. But mostly, I admire those musicians that have followed their hearts and have a positive message. I actually admire Eminem a lot…‘Lose Yourself in the Music,’ as he says.”

Dean also lists many influences. “From a ‘teacher’ perspective, I owe a lot to the drummer Alan Jones and his AJAM program. I still study with him today and my first music lesson with him was way back in 2004. I am still learning from that very first lesson. The entire Centrum blues program has been a huge influence on me—I owe thanks to all the instructors I have met over the years. John Clayton also has had a big influence on me and taught me some very important lessons that stick with me still.”

“As far as musical influences, the list is endless but a few that come to mind are Willie Dixon, Paul Chambers, Ray Brown, Miles Davis, and Keith Ferguson. As far as local influences go I’d have to mention Marco Savo. In the beginning days, when I went to Duff’s Garage every week to the Wednesday jams, I learned a ton from watching him. He had a big impact on my playing as I went into The Insomnaics.

“We have been lucky enough to perform together with many great northwest and national artists including Curtis Salgado, Duffy Bishop, Rich Delgrosso, Sunpie Barnes, Terry Bean, Billy Mays, Billy Flynn, Daryl Davis, Mary Flower, LaRhonda Steele, and many others. We are fortunate that our association with Centrum and the Lake Theater have given us many opportunities to share the stage with many great acts,” Dean said.

CD’s

Dean has performed on many CD’s but the Julie Amici Band hasn’t published a CD, but they are working on it. “We are writing songs and working on one to be released in 2016.”

In Closing

Julie Amici Band is a new act that should be added to your “must see” list. To find out where to see them visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/julieamici