The Four Freshmen group bios BRIAN EICHENBERGER sings the melody (top part), plays bass, and is the chief vocal arranger and musical director for the Four Freshmen. He joined the group in 1996 at the age of 19 as a bass player / second part singer, later switching to the top part and playing some guitar along the way. Off the road, Brian works as a songwriter and producer in his home studio. He enjoys jogging, ping pong, juggling and general computer-audio nerdery. He lives in Las Vegas with his wife, daughter and four neurotic cats. STEIN MALVEY began his musical journey at age four, studying piano at St. Olaf College in his hometown of Northfield, MN. Growing restless with classical repertoire, he discovered guitar at age 12, and fell in love. Just two years later he was playing guitar professionally. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in guitar performance from Lawrence University Conservatory of Music. Stein spent years in both the New York and Minneapolis music scenes, recording and touring with groups in many genres: rock, pop, r&b, soul, funk, jazz, country, classical and avant garde. He sings the 2nd part and plays guitar for the Four Freshmen. CURTIS CALDERON was born and raised in San Antonio, TX and started the trumpet at age 11. His love for music got him playing gigs at an early age becoming a part time musician by the time he was just a junior in high school. After high school, he toured with numerous big bands and was featured on a PBS video with the Glenn Miller Orchestra when he was 21. He joined the Four Freshmen in 2001 and has never looked back. He loves touring and playing for audiences around the US and world. He sings the 3rd voice with the Freshmen and plays trumpet and Flugelhorn. BOB FERREIRA is in his twentieth year as bass voice and percussionist for the celebrated vocal group. Ferreira auditioned for the Four Freshmen in 1992 while a music student at Central Washington University. The group asked Ferreira to join, presenting him with a difficult decision of whether or not to leave academics behind in lieu of a career in entertainment. Ferreira is pleased with his decision and has not looked back. Bob still enjoys being a part of such an iconic musical legacy having performed in fifty states, ten countries, and on nine Freshmen recordings. When not on the road with the Freshmen, Ferreira occasionally plays drums with a local Las Vegas rock band. WHAT THEY ARE SAYING THE FOUR FRESHMEN AMERICA’S MOST ENDURING VOCAL GROUP. TRUE MASTERS OF HARMONY “An Ultratalented Quartet of Vocalists” The Wall Street Journal “Universally hailed as pioneers of the jazz-infused close harmony sound, the Four Freshmen have few rivals in the vocal group harmony field.” Goldmine •"I have loved the Freshmen harmony since the first time I heard them. They are my favorite band to watch perform live." Brian Wilson “I am a big fan! Love listening!” Vic Damone “The Four Freshmen have endured for the simple reason that they are tops in their class.” Charles Osgood “...singing a super-tight, ultra-hip four-part harmony over a foundation of straight-ahead jazz...borderline magical downright electric, inducing chills.” Palm Beach Daily News “Long live The Four Freshmen. May they never graduate!” ~ Wall Street Journal “This group is so talented, even more so than the original. They bring a new kind of presence to the stage.” PalmBeacher “...the present Four Freshmen are superb…” South Bend Tribune “Unisons, harmonies, open voicings, movable inner parts—all so beautiful and so, so modern. The Four Freshmen of today are as good as the band during the Ken Albers days. ... the good news is the Four Freshmen are still making great music.” Tim Hauser The Manhattan Transfer •Downbeat Magazine has honored the group with its •2001 induction into the Vocal Group Hall of prestigious Best Vocal Group Award 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, Fame sharing company with ABBA, Bee Gees 1958, 2001, 2001! and the Beach Boys. •JazzTimes awarded The Four Freshmen its top Jazz Award~ •They have bragging rights to over 75 albums, an Best Vocal Group in 2003 & 2005! overwhelming 70 top selling singles, and 6 Grammy Nominations. ALWAYS FANTASTIC, STAYING SIMPLE & TRUE THE FOUR FRESHMEN MASTERS OF HARMONY Singing with a harmony uniquely their own, The Four Freshmen have enamored listeners world-wide for 65 years, while gaining recognition as one of the most influential vocal groups of all time. Their tight-knit sound inspired The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson, The Mamas & The Papas, Frankie Valli and the Manhattan Transfer. It all started in 1948, when four college freshmen crafted a unique style of vocal harmony that soon caught the ear of the great bandleader Stan Kenton. Kenton was responsible for bringing the Freshmen to Capitol Records, where they would eventually record 23 albums, thrusting them into the national spotlight. In 65 years, The Freshmen have recorded over 75 albums, 70 top selling singles, and received 6 Grammy Nominations. The four have toured constantly since their inception, continuing to perform to sold out audiences around the globe. As the faces changed through the years, the integrity of the sound created by the original guys has been meticulously maintained. Die-hard fans and former members alike have agreed that the current lineup; Brian Eichenberger, Curtis Calderon, Stein Malvey, and Bob Ferreira, are second to none. While paying tribute to such classic Freshmen favorites as “Day By Day” and “Blue World,” the current group also continues to bring new arrangements to their live shows and recordings. Their latest record, Love Songs, features lush strings and an A-list hollywood rhythm section. The Freshmen shine on brand new arrangements of quintessential standards such as “Stardust,” “On The Street Where You Live” and many others. As four amazing musical talents, their show is one not to be missed! Whether accompanied by a big band, symphony orchestra or self-contained; their youth, vitality, and talent adds a modern twist of elegance to a time- honored sound. I Can’t Believe That You’re in Love On The Street Where you Live with Me Only Trust Your Heart A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley With Plenty of Money And You Square Body and Soul These Foolish Things How Long Has This Been Going On Stardust I Love You The Four Freshmen Bringing Swing To Your Season America’s most enduring vocal group. Headlining concerts around the globe from Moscow to Manhattan. Their repertoire includes a variety of pop and jazz standards from the Great American Songbook Classics. Four amazing musical talents. Their show is not to be missed! Their youth, vitality and talent adds an unforgettable twist of elegance to an already unmistakable sound. The Four Freshmen are true masters of harmony! “An ultra talented quartet of vocalists.” “Long live The Four Freshmen. May they never graduate!” Wall Street Journal “I have loved the Freshmen harmonies since the first time I heard them. They are my favorite band to watch perform live.” Brian Wilson founder of the Beach Boys “... singing a super-tight, ultra-hip four part harmony...” borderline magical, downright electric....” Palm Beach Daily News International Ventures Inc. Dale Sheets & Dina Roth 661-259-4500 www.4freshmen.com The fresh faces of The Four Freshmen Published: October 30, 2013 Current lineup of the group keeps its traditions going By Patrick S. Pemberton — [email protected] One of the greatest things about Bob Ferreira’s career happens when his group, The Four Freshmen, is onstage and Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson is in the audience. “When he hears us singing, you can see his face light up,” Ferreira said. “And for a man who’s in his 70s, who’s seen it all and has been The Four Freshmen — from left, Bob Ferreira, Stein there and is an icon and a legend — to see his eyes light up like a kid Malvey, Brian Eichenberger and Curtis Calderon. in a candy store is an amazing thing. It just shows the power of this music and the power of any music when it creates inspiration.” The Four Freshmen, who perform at Cuesta College this weekend, certainly inspired Wilson, who has often credited the group with providing his “harmonic education.” “I saw them at the Coconut Grove in Hollywood in 1958,” Wilson told the Chicago Tribune in 2011. “I was nervous because they were my idols. They were so nice to me. I was just 15 years old.” The Four Freshmen that perform today consist of a different lineup than the group Wilson first saw, but they perform many of the same tunes and maintain the same tight harmonies that sent The Four Freshmen into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. The group formed in 1948 on the Butler University campus in Indianapolis. While they have always been known for their spot-on harmonies, they have also had the distinction of being a vocal band that plays their own instruments. That was something that stood out to Ferreira when he first saw the group in the ’80s. Still in high school, Ferreira had no idea he’d become a member of that group in less than five years. After high school, he attended Edmonds Community College near Seattle. One of his mentors there, Kirk Marcy, was a former Freshmen singer. Later, while attending Central Washington University, Ferreira returned to Edmonds to be on an audition committee for Marcy’s vocal jazz group. “And he says, ‘Bob, I have a gig for you,’ ” Ferreira said. “And I’m like, ‘Oh, OK,’ thinking I’m going to be a camp counselor at a jazz camp for the summer.