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Best described
as light humor with serious music, the Bottom Line explores the most
intimate relationship in music, the duo. Combining the warm sonority
of the Double Bass with the soaring melodic beauty of the Cello, the
Bottom Line Duo tastefully and artfully presents a concert for all
ages and musical backgrounds. Fans have come to expect a concert
program that is educational, masterful, warm-hearted, charming, and
entertaining. Their integrity and joy for music is heard in every note
while their romance and humor is seen in every expression.
The husband
and wife team of Spencer and Traci Hoveskeland have been performing as
the Bottom Line Duo since 1996. Like the Berlin Philharmonica Duo in
Germany, the Bottom Line Duo continues the tradition of bass and cello
duos. Bassist Domenico Dragonetti (1763-1846) had a duo with the
famous cellist/composer Robert Lindley. Dragonetti is the fellow who
showed Mr. Beethoven the capabilities of a competent bassist and thus
changed symphonic bass writing forever. Haydn, Rossini, and Dragonetti
himself composed works for the duo.
The Bottom Line’s
fresh approach and their strong traditional background as chamber
musicians has allowed them to entertain audiences throughout Europe
and North America. Concert goers are delighted to share with Spencer
and Traci the great diversity in music, from classical concerti to
modern works, and are amazed at what these two instruments are capable
of. Don’t be surprised if Mozart is followed by Duke Ellington!
Spencer and Traci
first met during their Freshman year of High School. A music folder
provided the initial conversation. In July of 2002 they celebrated
their twelfth anniversary. Spencer & Traci now make their home in a
wooded Seattle neighborhood with their aging feline “Delzy” and their
vicious Jack Russell Terrier “Rufus-the Squirrel Hunter.” The Bottom
Line Duo has been an exclusive performing entity since 1996.
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Locally
the Bottom Line Duo is known for its
performances at the Juan de Fuca Arts
Festival, Seattle’s Bumbershoot, the
Anacortes Arts Festival, and Tacoma’s First
Night Festival. The Bottom Line has been
featured on Seattle’s classical station
KING- FM, KCTS & RCTV public television, and
“All Things Considered” on National Public
Radio. The last year has seen the duo
featured as guest artists for the Festival
of Strings in Cebreros, Spain and the Dos
Tradiciones Festival tour of central Mexico.
When not duo-ing, the Bottom
Line may be heard as part of numerous
ensembles including Broadway at the
Paramount and 5th Avenue theaters where
(from the pit) they’ve supported the stars
Theodore Bikel, Ertha Kitt, Richard
Chamberlain, and Patty Lupone. Traci even
braved riots and secret service to play for
President Clinton and other world leaders at
the WTO in Seattle with a quartet in 1999.
Browse through the site and learn more than
you ever wanted to know.
Spencer and Traci first
heard live music at five years old when
touring musicians performed at their
elementary school. Today some presenters
reach the grown-ups too, by having the duo
perform and promote the arts and
scholarships at community club meetings.
i.e. Rotary
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