About SYNKOFA
The Celtic Jazz ensemble SYNKOFA builds upon innovative folk song arrangements of violinist Theresa Ellis and adds the original compositions of guitarist Eric McKenna. The four-piece instrumental band features soloist extraordinaire Steve Wesson on the upright bass and the skillful violin and viola lines of their newest member Mary Otterstrom. Together, they play Celtic and world roots music with a Gypsy flair, carrying listeners to the misty Irish Highlands, the hot jazz clubs of 1950’s Paris, the stone cathedrals of the Renaissance, to the porch steps of Appalachia, and beyond!
The English word Jazz may have been derived from the Irish Gaelic T'chass, which means "fiery and full of life", as Theresa's surprising twists on traditional melodies and rhythms exemplifies. But the Celtic Jazz approach is just a springboard for the SYNKOFA Ensemble as they pluck pieces from the vines of Praetorius, Eric Satie, and David Grisman before infusing them with swing tempos, juxtaposed melodies, and extended improvisations.
Each member bestows instrumental proficiency as though it were a solar flare upon the material. Upright bassist Stephen Wesson, equally competent with fingers or a bow, traverses syncopated lead lines to deep sustained tones while holding down the groove. Guitarist Eric McKenna artfully employs harmonics and pull-offs with rasgueado flamenco strums to craft his chords and solos. Masterful techniques underpin fiery leads and stirring melodies by violinist Theresa Ellis.
A distinctive feature of the group is their employment of “Verdi” or “Pythagorean” tuning of A to 432Hz. Historically prevalent and sonically organic, the 432 tuning is designed to speak to your soul and sync with universal vibrations!
The name SYNKOFA is a variation on the West African concept of "Sankofa", meaning to reach back and gather the best of what our past has to teach us so that we may use it to gain our highest potential as we move forward. The sankofa (SAHN-koh-fah) adinkra symbol is a bird with its head turned backwards while its feet face forward carrying a precious egg in its mouth and appears frequently in traditional Akan art. SYNKOFA (we say sing-KOH-fah) has adopted the Mpatapo adinkra as part of it's branding, reminiscent of the Celtic knot. It represents the bond or knot that binds parties in a dispute to a peaceful, harmonious reconciliation and it is a symbol of peacemaking after strife. SYNKOFA has inverted the A to a Y in their name, just as they have transfigured all of their performances by the new tuning frequency of A=432 Hz. More info about 432 tuning here. The ensemble seeks to transport listeners to distant times and places only to bring them back again to the present with a better outlook for the future.
The English word Jazz may have been derived from the Irish Gaelic T'chass, which means "fiery and full of life", as Theresa's surprising twists on traditional melodies and rhythms exemplifies. But the Celtic Jazz approach is just a springboard for the SYNKOFA Ensemble as they pluck pieces from the vines of Praetorius, Eric Satie, and David Grisman before infusing them with swing tempos, juxtaposed melodies, and extended improvisations.
Each member bestows instrumental proficiency as though it were a solar flare upon the material. Upright bassist Stephen Wesson, equally competent with fingers or a bow, traverses syncopated lead lines to deep sustained tones while holding down the groove. Guitarist Eric McKenna artfully employs harmonics and pull-offs with rasgueado flamenco strums to craft his chords and solos. Masterful techniques underpin fiery leads and stirring melodies by violinist Theresa Ellis.
A distinctive feature of the group is their employment of “Verdi” or “Pythagorean” tuning of A to 432Hz. Historically prevalent and sonically organic, the 432 tuning is designed to speak to your soul and sync with universal vibrations!
The name SYNKOFA is a variation on the West African concept of "Sankofa", meaning to reach back and gather the best of what our past has to teach us so that we may use it to gain our highest potential as we move forward. The sankofa (SAHN-koh-fah) adinkra symbol is a bird with its head turned backwards while its feet face forward carrying a precious egg in its mouth and appears frequently in traditional Akan art. SYNKOFA (we say sing-KOH-fah) has adopted the Mpatapo adinkra as part of it's branding, reminiscent of the Celtic knot. It represents the bond or knot that binds parties in a dispute to a peaceful, harmonious reconciliation and it is a symbol of peacemaking after strife. SYNKOFA has inverted the A to a Y in their name, just as they have transfigured all of their performances by the new tuning frequency of A=432 Hz. More info about 432 tuning here. The ensemble seeks to transport listeners to distant times and places only to bring them back again to the present with a better outlook for the future.
Artist Bios
Theresa Ellis
World class violinist/recording artist and SYNKOFA founder Theresa Ellis has helped pioneer the genre of Celtic Jazz. Though adept in a myriad of genres, from classical to country, Celtic music has always been in her blood.
Of Welsh heritage, Theresa hails from Detroit, Michigan where her musical education began at the young age of five. As an unassuming teenager, she recorded with the Motown String Sections. Her desire for an education in music led her to attend the Indiana University School of Music and she was awarded a scholarship to study in Vienna. However her career took a radical turn as she migrated to the heart of country music in Nashville, Tennessee. She was a performer in The Nashville Symphony, and was a featured fiddler/singer with legendary comedic country star Ray Stevens on his tours and at the Grand Ole Opry.
Her winding musical path bought her to Salt Lake, Utah, where she currently resides. Already, a seasoned performer, she graduated from University of Utah with a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance. Her string quartet called String Zing! was featured at a luncheon with His Holiness Dalai Lama, and for the Farewell Reception for Mitt Romney, at the conclusion of the 2002 Winter Olympics. She married her musical partner and producer, James Franklin Anglesey, and the two recorded the full length Celtic Jazz CD, Ellis & Franklin’s Traveler in 1994, which received international acclaim and distribution. Their partnership was tragically cut short when James fell victim to cancer. Following the death of her husband and musical collaborator in 2005, Theresa withdrew from a life of public performance. Tribute to Jimmy Franklin Anglesey page.
In 2011, she collected her determination and drive to make music again. With a desire to promote human wellness, she explores its connection with the relationship between musical harmonics and how they relate to the earth’s natural frequencies. She has resurrected her ensemble with stalwart bassist Stephen Wesson and re-branded the Celtic Jazz project SYNKOFA with two fresh faces in the lineup, eager to bring her unique style of music back to the stage. Visit her other Concerts page, her personal and author website at www.theresaellis.com, and see her wellness (massage and energy work therapy) and music (frequency biofeedback) pages at www.TheHealingTreeServices.com and Beacons Link-In-Bio Site
World class violinist/recording artist and SYNKOFA founder Theresa Ellis has helped pioneer the genre of Celtic Jazz. Though adept in a myriad of genres, from classical to country, Celtic music has always been in her blood.
Of Welsh heritage, Theresa hails from Detroit, Michigan where her musical education began at the young age of five. As an unassuming teenager, she recorded with the Motown String Sections. Her desire for an education in music led her to attend the Indiana University School of Music and she was awarded a scholarship to study in Vienna. However her career took a radical turn as she migrated to the heart of country music in Nashville, Tennessee. She was a performer in The Nashville Symphony, and was a featured fiddler/singer with legendary comedic country star Ray Stevens on his tours and at the Grand Ole Opry.
Her winding musical path bought her to Salt Lake, Utah, where she currently resides. Already, a seasoned performer, she graduated from University of Utah with a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance. Her string quartet called String Zing! was featured at a luncheon with His Holiness Dalai Lama, and for the Farewell Reception for Mitt Romney, at the conclusion of the 2002 Winter Olympics. She married her musical partner and producer, James Franklin Anglesey, and the two recorded the full length Celtic Jazz CD, Ellis & Franklin’s Traveler in 1994, which received international acclaim and distribution. Their partnership was tragically cut short when James fell victim to cancer. Following the death of her husband and musical collaborator in 2005, Theresa withdrew from a life of public performance. Tribute to Jimmy Franklin Anglesey page.
In 2011, she collected her determination and drive to make music again. With a desire to promote human wellness, she explores its connection with the relationship between musical harmonics and how they relate to the earth’s natural frequencies. She has resurrected her ensemble with stalwart bassist Stephen Wesson and re-branded the Celtic Jazz project SYNKOFA with two fresh faces in the lineup, eager to bring her unique style of music back to the stage. Visit her other Concerts page, her personal and author website at www.theresaellis.com, and see her wellness (massage and energy work therapy) and music (frequency biofeedback) pages at www.TheHealingTreeServices.com and Beacons Link-In-Bio Site
Stephen Wesson
Stephen’s vast experience and ability on the upright bass make him one of the most sought after session players in Utah. Steeped in both folk and classical traditions, he has been a member of the Jarman/Kingston Quartet which included frequent guest appearances by world–renowned fiddler Darol Anger, the Smith & Wesson duo along with co-founder and cellist Gayle Smith, and the Salt Lake Symphony.
Hailing from the Salt Lake area, Stephen’s musical adventures began in String Orchestra in Junior High School. Since then his musical path has taken him from the classical and folk genres into rock, jazz, country, bluegrass, tango and progressive Celtic. His repertoire also includes the electric and fretless bass, and six and 12-string guitars. Steve was the principal bass and guitar instructor at Jack’s Drum & Guitar Shop in the Sugarhouse neighborhood of Salt Lake City from 1996 until 2007. He became a registered Suzuki instructor for String Bass in 1998. Currently serves on the Salt Lake Executive Board of the American Federation of Musicians since 1996. His recording credits include Ellis & Franklin’s Traveler, Doug Wintch’s Wooden Nickels, and Marv Hamilton’s The Mind Will Follow. Recruited by Theresa Ellis to join SYNKOFA in 1992, he has been a bedrock member of the ensemble ever since. Visit Stephen's Reverb Nation page here.
Stephen’s vast experience and ability on the upright bass make him one of the most sought after session players in Utah. Steeped in both folk and classical traditions, he has been a member of the Jarman/Kingston Quartet which included frequent guest appearances by world–renowned fiddler Darol Anger, the Smith & Wesson duo along with co-founder and cellist Gayle Smith, and the Salt Lake Symphony.
Hailing from the Salt Lake area, Stephen’s musical adventures began in String Orchestra in Junior High School. Since then his musical path has taken him from the classical and folk genres into rock, jazz, country, bluegrass, tango and progressive Celtic. His repertoire also includes the electric and fretless bass, and six and 12-string guitars. Steve was the principal bass and guitar instructor at Jack’s Drum & Guitar Shop in the Sugarhouse neighborhood of Salt Lake City from 1996 until 2007. He became a registered Suzuki instructor for String Bass in 1998. Currently serves on the Salt Lake Executive Board of the American Federation of Musicians since 1996. His recording credits include Ellis & Franklin’s Traveler, Doug Wintch’s Wooden Nickels, and Marv Hamilton’s The Mind Will Follow. Recruited by Theresa Ellis to join SYNKOFA in 1992, he has been a bedrock member of the ensemble ever since. Visit Stephen's Reverb Nation page here.
Eric McKenna
Composer/Guitarist Eric McKenna combines a finger-style approach with creative zeal in forging a distinctive sound informed from some of the world's great musical traditions. Weaving together threads of Spanish flamenco, traditional Celtic, Classical, and Americana, Eric's original music is a contemporary tapestry of historic impressions. Sponsored by MacNichol Guitar & Mandolin, Eric’s demonstration videos of Breedlove, Rainsong, CA Guitars and Weber Mandolins has reached over 1,000,000 viewers since 2012. He is an instructor of guitar and music teacher at the Open Classroom, a Salt Lake School District Charter School, and The Salt Lake Arts Academy, a Utah State Charter.
A player of brass instruments throughout childhood, Eric first entered the world of strings and frets when he picked up the guitar at the age of 15 in his Northern California home. He studied classical guitar at The Colorado College under guitarist Dale Miller. He performed for four years in the Colorado College Guitar Ensemble. Since arriving in Salt Lake City, Eric has performed as a solo musician and played lead guitar and mandolin for bands such as the Irish infused pub-rockers The Revelators, the progressive-folkies of Naked April, the alt-country/indie band Big Mirror, and jazz-infused rock band November Hotel. He presently performs in Terrestrial Soulz, a funk infused hip hop band In 2003, Eric completed his first CD of original music, Seven Sails. The album is an evocative musical journey inspired by the northern California coastline and infused with a rite of passage concept. Highlighted by performances on guitar, cello, violin and piano, several pieces are often included in SYNKOFA’s set list since he joined the group in 2012. In 2021, he completed his second original album, Dry Spell; an homage to desert landscapes and the classical guitar. SYNKOFA member Theresa Ellis and former member Aisha Zuiter are also featured on the album. Eric’s musical repertoire also includes the mandolin, Celtic Bouzouki, 12-string and electric guitars. As a solo guitarist Eric was sponsored and endorsed in 2013 by guitar maker Jesse Stearn, and proudly plays a uniquely hand-made redwood OM model crafted by the exceptional luthier. Visit Eric's homepage at www.ravensfellmusic.com
Composer/Guitarist Eric McKenna combines a finger-style approach with creative zeal in forging a distinctive sound informed from some of the world's great musical traditions. Weaving together threads of Spanish flamenco, traditional Celtic, Classical, and Americana, Eric's original music is a contemporary tapestry of historic impressions. Sponsored by MacNichol Guitar & Mandolin, Eric’s demonstration videos of Breedlove, Rainsong, CA Guitars and Weber Mandolins has reached over 1,000,000 viewers since 2012. He is an instructor of guitar and music teacher at the Open Classroom, a Salt Lake School District Charter School, and The Salt Lake Arts Academy, a Utah State Charter.
A player of brass instruments throughout childhood, Eric first entered the world of strings and frets when he picked up the guitar at the age of 15 in his Northern California home. He studied classical guitar at The Colorado College under guitarist Dale Miller. He performed for four years in the Colorado College Guitar Ensemble. Since arriving in Salt Lake City, Eric has performed as a solo musician and played lead guitar and mandolin for bands such as the Irish infused pub-rockers The Revelators, the progressive-folkies of Naked April, the alt-country/indie band Big Mirror, and jazz-infused rock band November Hotel. He presently performs in Terrestrial Soulz, a funk infused hip hop band In 2003, Eric completed his first CD of original music, Seven Sails. The album is an evocative musical journey inspired by the northern California coastline and infused with a rite of passage concept. Highlighted by performances on guitar, cello, violin and piano, several pieces are often included in SYNKOFA’s set list since he joined the group in 2012. In 2021, he completed his second original album, Dry Spell; an homage to desert landscapes and the classical guitar. SYNKOFA member Theresa Ellis and former member Aisha Zuiter are also featured on the album. Eric’s musical repertoire also includes the mandolin, Celtic Bouzouki, 12-string and electric guitars. As a solo guitarist Eric was sponsored and endorsed in 2013 by guitar maker Jesse Stearn, and proudly plays a uniquely hand-made redwood OM model crafted by the exceptional luthier. Visit Eric's homepage at www.ravensfellmusic.com
Mary Otterstrom
Mary began playing the violin as soon as she could walk. In fact, it is entirely possible that her motivation to learn to walk was to get her hands on a violin. She immediately used her new-found mobility to get ahold of her mom’s violin at every opportunity. Mary’s mom solved this problem by purchasing the smallest violin she could find, and teaching her how to hold the bow and draw it across the strings.
Since then, Mary has earned a Bachelor and Master’s degrees in violin performance from Brigham Young University and the University of Utah. She has been privileged to collaborate with many extraordinary musicians from multiple genres in a variety of venues and settings. She has toured coast-to-coast, received international airplay, and reached #10 on the Folk DJ Charts. As a classical violinist she has played with Sinfonia Salt Lake, Utah Chamber Artists, Salt Lake Choral Artists and Utopia Early Music. She has fiddled with The Wayward Mollys, Otter Creek, The Lazlos, Fiddlers 3, Marv Hamilton Band and more.
Mary is also a music teacher. She has maintained a private studio since the age of 16. She worked as an adjunct music professor at Salt Lake Community College from 2014-2023. Besides teaching private violin classes she has taught courses including such as U.S. Music and Culture, World Music, Introduction to Music Theory, Theory I and Sight Singing and Ear Training. Mary has learned at least as much from her students as they have learned from her. Her teaching philosophy is; everyone can learn and everyone has something important to offer. Mary began working at renowned violin shop Peter Prier & Sons Violin Shop in 2022 where she has the opportunity to work with world class luthiers and archetiers. She is constantly learning
about the instrument she has played her whole life. Perhaps the most enjoyable part of her job is playing the beautiful instruments at the shop. Without a doubt the greatest honor of Mary’s life is being mom to her three favorite people, Eliot, Kjersten and Lucy, who make her proud every day.
Mary began playing the violin as soon as she could walk. In fact, it is entirely possible that her motivation to learn to walk was to get her hands on a violin. She immediately used her new-found mobility to get ahold of her mom’s violin at every opportunity. Mary’s mom solved this problem by purchasing the smallest violin she could find, and teaching her how to hold the bow and draw it across the strings.
Since then, Mary has earned a Bachelor and Master’s degrees in violin performance from Brigham Young University and the University of Utah. She has been privileged to collaborate with many extraordinary musicians from multiple genres in a variety of venues and settings. She has toured coast-to-coast, received international airplay, and reached #10 on the Folk DJ Charts. As a classical violinist she has played with Sinfonia Salt Lake, Utah Chamber Artists, Salt Lake Choral Artists and Utopia Early Music. She has fiddled with The Wayward Mollys, Otter Creek, The Lazlos, Fiddlers 3, Marv Hamilton Band and more.
Mary is also a music teacher. She has maintained a private studio since the age of 16. She worked as an adjunct music professor at Salt Lake Community College from 2014-2023. Besides teaching private violin classes she has taught courses including such as U.S. Music and Culture, World Music, Introduction to Music Theory, Theory I and Sight Singing and Ear Training. Mary has learned at least as much from her students as they have learned from her. Her teaching philosophy is; everyone can learn and everyone has something important to offer. Mary began working at renowned violin shop Peter Prier & Sons Violin Shop in 2022 where she has the opportunity to work with world class luthiers and archetiers. She is constantly learning
about the instrument she has played her whole life. Perhaps the most enjoyable part of her job is playing the beautiful instruments at the shop. Without a doubt the greatest honor of Mary’s life is being mom to her three favorite people, Eliot, Kjersten and Lucy, who make her proud every day.
Special Guest & Former Members
Kristine Evans
Multi-instrumentalist Kristine Evans joined the ensemble from 2014-2018, bringing her talent on the mandolin, guitar, Celtic bouzouki, and bodhrán. |
Laina Reynolds
Equipped with a 400 year old French-made cello, Laina brought the best out of our classical sound from 2012-2014 |
Samuel Runolfson
Early SYNKOFA cellist member from 2010-2012 plus other special appearances in performance with SYNKOFA such as Weber State University hosted "Music and Medicine Conference" the Interdisciplinary Society for Quantitative Research in Music and Medicine (ISQRMM), a society of scholars and researchers pursuing studies on the effects of music on the health of the human mind, body and soul. The presenters are the world’s leading scholars and academics in the field of music and medicine. |
Cristine Jennings
Professor from Weber State University played viol da gamba, a late 15th century fretted and 6-stringed instrument similar to the cello. Aisha Zuiter
The Pandemc story! January 2020 until 2023 encompassed the lock down and limited performance venues Aisha filled out our 4 piece performance group and we were able to carry on. |