The Symbols' whimsical-yet-sophisticated sound is found nowhere else.
Guitarist Jasco met Mer Sal in a cafe in Fort Collins one afternoon. Jasco was rehearsing with an instrumental jazz trio and Mer Sal mentioned she knew most of the tunes they were playing, and skeptically, Jasco invited her onto the stage. She blew him away with her musicality, her vast knowledge of musical material, her work ethic, her attitude, her vocal talent, and later her songwriting style. Jasco decided to form a band and a business partnership with Mer Sal.
Since the band's formation in July of 2010, the Symbols have played over 150 shows together in Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, and Oklahoma, recorded three five-song EPs of original tunes by Mer Sal and Jasco, performed on Live At Lunch on KRFC 88.9FM, headlined Tulsa Mayfest as members of Phil Brown's Guitar Army, headlined Rides For Realities (biker rally to end child abuse), been accepted for radio play on KRFC, Radio Crystal Blue, Pongid Radio, Tots Radio, and Artists on the Rise Radio, and they have finished two music videos, "Kristin" and "Shake That Butt", released in 2011.
In 2011 the Symbols solidified their full time line up with bass player, Joseph Gavronsky and drummer, Hans H. Mueller.
Michael Olson, a bass-playing friend of The Symbols found himself ill with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) starting in 2005, so, to help cure their friend, Jasco and Sal set up The Michael Raymond Olson MS Fund in his honor in November of 2010. The band has a goal of raising $100,000+ for this fund by the end of 2030.
The fund can be accessed here. |
 |
|
 |
Mer Sal (fr. "salty sea"; ar. "messenger") began singing at the age of 2. Unlike most children, Mer suffered many gran mal seizures until the age of 7, resulting in a new appreciation of life. She is a business partner and the lead singer for The Symbols, and she loves what she does. Her unique combination of vocal capability, charisma, and songwriting skills make her a unique find. She is a hard-working, focused musician, intent on making a career in the music business.
Mer has been writing and producing songs since 2001, and studied privately with a Berklee School of Music grad in songwriting and arrangement, before studying the Alexander Method and healthy vocal production with Broadway veteran Alex Ryer (Pure Piaf, Menopause the Musical, The Life and Music of Miss Peggy Lee). Mer attended Colorado State University for three years as an Acting/Directing major, but after some encouragement from Jasco, decided to drop out to discover her life's purpose.
Jasco took Mer Sal and worked with her one on one to develop what was already there.
Mer is interested in singers like Billy Holiday, Tata Vega, Robert Plant, Beth Hart, Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Nicks, Tony Bennett, Gwen Stefani, Paula Cole, Shawn Colvin, Linda Ronstadt, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, Anthony Kiedis, Sheryl Crow, Bjork, Joni Mitchell, Prince, Imogen Heap, and Janis Joplin, to name a few.
Mer started The Symbols with Jasco in July of 2010. The first EP, released in 2011 titled "The Symbols" showcases the original style created by The Symbols-- the style which critic Connor Hooley coined "whimsical, yet sophisticated." The 2nd EP "Be Here Now" is newly available and keeps with the "whimsical, yet sophisticated" style, yet is themed a unique representation of the relationship pains and joys of the rollercoaster relationship Sal went through with an ex-boyfriend who was in the band, during the beginning year of The Symbols.
Mer Sal is a very emotive performer. She can make you feel elated, sad, glad, humorous, grateful, indifferent, empowered, or mystified, when you see The Symbols perform live. |
|
 |
Jasco is a seasoned professional. Many people fondly remember his days with Blinddog, but he has also been in a number of projects in Colorado, and in Oklahoma, he was the man who decided to first record Dorothy Ellis--Miss Blues, and played guitar on her first four albums. He is the one who discovered Mer Sal.
He has always played music for a living, and he vows he forever will. Jasco is educated in playing many styles including flamenco, jazz, funk, classical guitar, reggae, speed playing, blues, and zydeco. Jasco is interested in guitar players Jeff Beck, Django Reinhardt, Renee Heredia, Paul Gilbert, John Frusciante, and Phil Brown, to name a few. |
|
 |
Joseph Gavronsky was born on June 17, 1987 in Jacksonville, FL. He started playing the bass in the 6th grade when all the students in his class were required to join either the band or the chorus. On the first day of band rehearsal, the students were allowed to try out all the different instruments in order to choose which one they wanted to play. Joseph knew right away that the bass was for him. Since the bass guitar was not offered at his school, Joseph started out on the string bass even though he could barely reach the top of the neck.
Joseph continued to play music throughout high school and college, eventually receiving a minor in music from Georgetown University where he focused primarily on big band jazz. After college, Joseph continued to play music as a hobby while pursuing some other fields of endeavor. However, in Summer 2011, Joseph decided to focus single-pointedly on music. He joined The Symbols in the Fall of 2011 and has barely put the bass down since. He cites his main influences as Larry Graham, Bootsy Collins, and Victor Wooten, among countless others. |
|
|
A Colorado native, Hans has been a musician/percussionist off and on for 30 some years, playing and performing domestically and abroad as a percussionist, session musician, and vocalist.
Music is in his family. Hans' parents and grandparents instilled an appreciation for music at an early age, providing opportunities exposing him to classical, jazz and musicals. Hans studied piano, guitar, voice, and saxaphone, but focused primarily on percussion. Hans' sons are also musicians, playing in their band, The Rewards.
Trained and studied in jazz with a passion for funk and rock, Hans supplies that solid beat platform for The Symbol's sound. Hans is influenced by Keith Moon, John Bonham, Stewart Copland, Buddy Rich, and Chad Smith.
Hans spends his free time volunteering in the Northern Colorado music scene and as a management consultant.
|
|
