Admit it: we’re all suckers for a cappela. Creativity with the unaccompanied voice is the purest expression, and moves and touches things deep within us. Perhaps for that reason a cappella performances are, more than most genres, best enjoyed live; and why it’s the rare a cappella record that holds the listener’s interest all the way through. So, friends, meet the rare: We3, by the trio Mockingbird, stays fresh and interesting and delightful from start to finish, and more remarkably, does so without the sound effects and schtick that even some of the big names resort to. The group cheerfully and confidently takes on the canon (“Away Ye Merry Lassies”), the hits (“Teach Your Children”), and seeks out weird wonders from afar (the hilariously thought-provoking “Co-dependent With You,” by east coast whiz John Forster). The harmonies are beautiful but edgy rather than lush, and the arrangements keep the music moving by changing tempos and spotlighting different members, not through startling interjections and techno-scat.
–Tom Petersen, Victory Review, September 2004
Mockingbird has been delighting audiences across the Pacific Northwest for 20 years. The acapella trio has evolved into the current medley of Robin, Sherrie, and Ali. Mockingbird performed at Northwest Acapella, winning third place overall and first place for original composition. We have performed at many festivals including Folk Life Festival, Sequim Lavender Festival, Evergreen State Fair, and Mary Jane’s Farm in Idaho among others. We sang the Star Spangled Banner at a Bellingham Bells game. We are locally famous and globally conscious and our music reflects our joy and commitment to each other, our community, and the planet. If invited to perform at the White House during this administration, we would loudly and impolitely decline.
With previous colleague Lesley, Mockingbird has recorded four albums since 1998. Drenched, Magic Everywhere, We 3, and A Fearless Day are all available for purchase (look for them on the Listen page). Mockingbird's fifth album Old and New is chock full of originals as well as some old favorites.
With previous colleague Lesley, Mockingbird has recorded four albums since 1998. Drenched, Magic Everywhere, We 3, and A Fearless Day are all available for purchase (look for them on the Listen page). Mockingbird's fifth album Old and New is chock full of originals as well as some old favorites.
Robin WallbridgeRobin has been singing her whole life. She had her debut performance in third grade, singing “K-K-K-Katy” at Salt City Elementary School. Musical heroines include Judy Garland and Joni Mitchell. Robin had the distinction of singing on the Staten Island Ferry with her husband and blowing the ferry horn on the way home. She has been with Mockingbird for 20 years and also sings and song-writes with bandZandt, One Lane Bridge, and Meinhardt Merry. She lives in Deming, Washington with her husband, Gregg, and two sparkling children, Lydia and Huckleberry, and The Potato Cat.
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Ali HarrisSinger, songwriter, instrumentalist
Ali has been singing and playing music for over 30 years. Based in Bellingham for the last twelve years, Ali previously lived and performed both as a soloist and in multiple ensembles throughout Virginia, California and Colorado. Having a background in classical piano, Ali spent a few years studying jazz with the intent to teach herself how to better improvise with playing piano and writing music. During this time she was also involved with a local organization, "Bellingham Sings" singing alto and mezzosoprano for three of its choirs, Allegra, Sarabonde and The Whatcom Sound Jazz Ensemble. She then found herself performing as a soloist in the Port Townsend Jazz Festival in 2007-2010 as well as in the Seattle Jazz Festival with The Whatcom Sound Jazz Ensemble. In early 2014 Ali met her soulmates in song, Robin and Sherrie, quickly becoming the newest member of Mockingbird. |
Sharin' Joy LutschSherrie began her singing career with her church and school choirs and ensembles. She sang with Central Michigan University Glee club and started her first trio: Wyrd Sisters. She was in University of Idaho's Jazz choir where she then started her second trio: Lotus.
This group recorded the album, 'The Dance Goes On' and toured the northwest from 1991-1993. Sherrie wrote the title song from Mockingbird's first album, 'Drenched' as well as several others. She currently lives in Glacier with her dog, Tipateena and kitty Perseid. |