Santa Cruz’s White Album Ensemble began as a Luthier’s dream, to put together a crack team of top local musicians to perform the Beatles’ “White Album” live, in a theatre setting with lights, dance and a full-screen video presentation. After selling out both debut shows and creating a considerable buzz around town, the word of mouth from neighbors, friends and co-workers about the quality and vibe of the performance persuaded the group to keep on doing more concerts.
Once WAE’s “mission” was established, it became impossible to stop performing post-touring era (they stopped touring in 1966, at Candlestick park in San Francisco) Beatles recordings live, with real instruments, and no tapes. Wherever possible they began using horns, strings, indian instruments, additional background vocalists or whatever it takes to recreate the many overdubs which are the records’ sound and feel.
There is an attitude when approaching this task of “What would the Beatles do, if they performed this song live?”
The current WAE in 2024:
- Richard Bryant – vocals, keyboards, percussion
- Ken Kraft – vocals, guitars
- Stephen Krilanovich – guitars, vocals, keyboards, recorder
- Dale Ockerman – keyboards, guitars, electric sitar, trumpet, harmonica, vocals, show producer
- Endre Tarczy – bass, vocals