"I don't think it was just
the music, your voices or the lyrics but the special beings behind those things that really
touched me. You music is of such good cheer, which I feel is so needed at this time in our world where
many are in turmoil. Thank you not just from me but people who may have never even heard
your music, Because with just the people you touched at Saturday's event and what you
did for them with your love (even if they don't know what you did for them) will go out to
others they meet. " Gorge Horton, Redding, CA
ABOUT ALLISON AND VICTOR
Allison Scull & Victor Martin have released their fourth recording, Nation of Jubilation. A blend of acoustic, jazz, and soul sounds, Allison and Victor's unusual collaborative style connects to people from all walks of life. Their title track, Nation of Jubilation, conveys their experiences on the road “in the mountains, the valleys and the sea” and the community that is created around the mystical moments of live music.
With Allison on guitar and vocals, Victor performs on saxophone, vocals, and shaker (yes the egg shaker!). Together, they create a fusion of musical forms by blending roots music — a fusion of jazz, folk, blues, a little funk, originals and some standards laced with some Spanish and French lyrics. Allison learned French where she grew up in Belgium while Victor was born and raised on the East Coast in Middletown, Delaware.
As artists Allison and Victor pride themselves not only on writing and performing original songs, but putting unusual twists on cover songs by greats such as Bob Marley and Antonio Carlos Jobim, and John Prine. While forging their own artistic path and creating a satisfying life of music is most important to these two, they were honored to play music at the Historic Cascade Theater in Redding, California with The Blind Boys of Alabama and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Other artists they have also shared the stage with include Tuck and Patti, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Craig Chaquico, Shana Morrison, Archie Lee Hooker, Acoustic Alchemy, blues legends John Hammond (Rogue Theatre, Grants Pass) Lazy Lester (Chico, CA) , famed drummer Akira Tana and hall of famer, guitarist Terry Robb.
Their constant performance schedule has contributed to their growing fan base on the West Coast, USA. Their music has struck a chord in the wine country of Northern California (Napa & Sonoma) and Southern Oregon as well as the festival circuit. Allison and Victor also perform in Arizona, in Mexico, and in October 2024 went to Southern Spain. Allison shared “We were so far South in Spain, we could see Morocco!”
Other performances included the first and second Juneteenth Celebration (2021 & 2022) ever at the Coos History Museum in Coos Bay, Oregon. With their fun and engaging shows, they also took the stage at Oregon Coast Music Festival, the Nor Cal Jazz Festival (Weaverville, CA, Chico, CA & Dunsmuir, CA), Art and the Vineyard (Eugene, OR), the Napa Artisan’s Festival, the Shasta Yama Festival (Mt. Shasta, CA), Redding Roots Revival and a Taste of Redding (Redding, CA), the famous Cranberry Festival (Bandon,OR), and Jazz in the Canyon, (Dunsmuir, CA). Highlights also include Lassen Volcanic National Park (4 years), the famed Derby and Genghis Cohen in Hollywood, olive farms, state fairs, performing art centers, theaters as well as house concerts and private parties.
Expanding out with a fuller sound, Allison and Victor always have a certain reverence and joy when they get to play with their fuller group, The Midnight Band. These players, who performed on Nation of Jubilation, include Mike Harris on congas, Bruce Calin on stand up bass, Stefan Schittko on keys and Patrick Wiseman on drums.
Their song “Esperanza” was nominated in Top 10 by the International Association of Independent Recording Artists. Their recordings include: From the Back Burner, Allison Scull and Victor Martin Live, Cool Like the Breeze and Nation of Jubilation which was released on May 8, 2023. This duo, along with Allison’s twin sister, Suzanne, have organized Jazz in the Canyon, a four-day, multi-venue event spanning over the last weekend of September in the historic train town of Dunsmuir, CA, for the last 10 years. Given the Siskiyou Arts Council Achievement Award for their dedication to the arts in their own community, they are also garnering fans nationally and internationally.