mo & dawn: the remix project: About Us

 

The remix project vol. 1 is the first independent release by mo&dawn. From house to soul to acid jazz it’s all about a blend of the groove of electronic beats with the organic improvisations and vocal stylings brought by this talented duo. 

So what does it look like live?  Well for starters Dawn rocks the vocals, dances and plays trumpet and flugelhorn. Never all at once but often 2 of the 3.

Mo's job is to mix the groove and play the keys.  Using a combination of live keyboards, MIDI sequencers and the occasional sample Mo has created the new role of the "Keyboardist/DJ" Nothing else really describes the fully interactive process of mixing loops, playing solos, laying down bass lines and general sonic manipulation. For specifics on the gear see us on myspace.
 
We have web versions of our albums that you can listen to. Or, check out the reverb nation player below and hear the newest remixes and studio brews from mo & dawn, now in hi-fi.   They are often in progress but you can get the flavor of what the remix project is about.   Check back often!

Maurice "Mo' Egeston - Keys/beats/basslines

Urban Jazz Naturals and the remix project came naturally to Mo since he has maintained a deep love for house music and other forms of electronica since discovering the genre on the dancefloor of St. Louis' the underground house scene almost 20 years ago. (Shout out to DJ Steve-O!) Mo’s job includes beat programming, basslines, arrangements and all things keyboard including ripping funky riffs and solos. A look at Mo’s background shows that he has been a respected presence in the St. Louis music scene for the last 11 years, as a performer, educator and bandleader.

Mo’s band career began with Invincible Groov a funk/groove band that enjoyed a successful residency at the Green Room, one of St. Louis’ first Washington Ave. hotspots. From Invincible Groov, Vargas Soundsystem was formed by combining some of the premier jazz players in the area to back veteran funk/rock vocalist Pete Bold. 1997 saw the Soundsystem become Vargas Swing, which quickly gained the reputation as one of the Midwest’s top show bands. Vargas Swing recorded an album “FIRE” in 1998, toured the country in 1999 and appeared on two national compilations in 1999-2000. Currently Vargas continues as one of St. Louis’ most prominent bands.

As a pianist Mo, who did his graduate work at Southern Illinois University (Edwardsville), is a respected chamber player and accompanist. He has performed with the Nuevo Tango (New Tango a la Astor Piazolla) ensemble ConcerTango that featured current and former St. Louis Symphony Orchestra players along with Webster University Faculty members. In 2000, Mo accompanied musical collaborator Dawn Weber at the Ellsworth-Smith International Trumpet Competition in Bad Sackingen, Germany.

Continuing to work with Dawn but now in Urban Jazz Naturals (2000- 2005), Mo began to switch his focus to the electronic aspects of music. The experience gained doing the arrangements for most of UJN’s studio releases gave Mo the ability to assume all productions duties for mo&dawn once the duo went solo as an electronica act.

Egeston Piano Studio is Mo's educational venture. Learn Traditional, Jazz, Music Theory and soon MIDI Studio Production in St. Louis, MO. Click the banner for more info...

Dawn Weber - vocals/trumpet/flugelhorn

Dawn brings a wealth of versatile talent to the remix project. Her role includes lyrics (written and free-style), song creation, trumpet solos and riffs. Since the age of 16 she has shown a passionate commitment to her professional career.

Her professional experience as a trumpeter began by studying with Raymond Mase and Michael Sachs at North Carolina School of the Arts and Cleveland Institute of Music respectively. Dawn went on to perform as a soloist with various orchestras including the Cleveland State University Orchestra. Her performing career has seen her play with orchestras throughout the United States including the renowned St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. The crowning point of Dawn’s trumpet career so far was being chosen as one of five worldwide semi-finalists in the 2000 Ellsworth-Smith International Trumpet Competition held in Bad Sackingen, Germany.

While becoming a respected performer in the classical genre, Dawn has also displayed her talents in the jazz, Latin and pop worlds. After joining St. Louis’ Vargas Swing in 1997 Dawn launched her career as a singer and songwriter. She penned all of the tracks on Vargas Swing’s EP “FIRE” in 1998, and solidified her reputation as one of St. Louis’ most diversely talented musicians.

Two of her songs were selected for inclusion on two nationally released compilations. (Hipsters, Zoots and Wingtips Vol. 3/Hip- O Records and Swing Set/House of Blues)

From 2000- 2005, Dawn also performed and recorded with the electronica act Urban Jazz Naturals, an all-original hybrid of electronic dance, funk and soul.

UJN has received national press and international recognition their single "How Can I" in 2004 (Gallery) and the Urban Jazz EP in 2005.

Dawn has been the primary (or only) songwriter in all of the bands she’s been with since her days with the original Vargas Swing. She easily adapted her songwriting style to fit the various styles of electronica performed by UJN and continues to do the same with the remix project.

Look for a series of releases from mo&dawn: the remix project beginning with vol. 1 in the late summer of 2006.

Vargas

The current Vargas is basically all things mo&dawn with a live rhythm section. The sound features original R&B, Latin grooves and electronica, tinged with shades of jazz. As of 2007 Vargas is officially on hiatus. Stay tuned for a new band concept sometime this decade...