Providence (band)

Providence was a six-piece music group out of Portland, Oregon, USA, circa 1971—1974. The band was made up of six members: Bob Barriatua, electric bass, vocals; Bartholomew Bishop, lead vocals, piano, harpsichord, organ, autoharp; Jim Cockey, violin, glockenspiel, vocals; Andy Guzie, guitars, vocals; and brothers Tim Tompkins, cello, vocals, recorders, percussion, and Tom Tompkins, viola, vocals, occasional violin.

Related Topics:
Portland, Oregon - USA - 1971 - 1974 - Bob Barriatua - Electric bass - Vocals - Bartholomew Bishop - Piano - Harpsichord - Organ - Autoharp - Jim Cockey - Violin - Glockenspiel - Andy Guzie - Guitar - Tim Tompkins - Cello - Recorder - Percussion - Tom Tompkins - Viola

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The style of the group was decidedly soft rock with dominant classical influences, particularly in contrapuntal instrumental interludes by their string trio and in broad vocal harmonies that followed strict rules of voice-leading.

Related Topics:
Soft rock - Classical - Voice-leading

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Their greatest accomplishment came when The Moody Blues, seeking to expand the roster of their fledgling label Threshold Records, signed Providence to a recording contract. They managed one release, Ever Sense the Dawn (1972), before parting ways.

Related Topics:
The Moody Blues - Threshold Records - Ever Sense the Dawn - 1972

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Subsequently, Cockey and the Tompkins brothers lent their talents to the duet album Blue Jays (1975) by the Moodies' Justin Hayward and John Lodge. Barriatua has completed an M.D. degree and has established a practice in Portland. Cockey completed a degree in composition at University of Oregon under Hal Owen and has since established himself as a composer and music teacher working out of McCall, Idaho. Andy (now known as Andrew) Guzie completed a classical guitar degree from University of Oregon and continues to work as a performing guitarist in Portland. Tim and his wife Frances Tompkins have been composing and performing music together for 25 years (http://www.gallopaway.com/ ) and he appeared on the 1995 recording "Freelight" which also featured former Moody Blues keyboarist/vocalist Michael Pinder. Tom Tompkins has worked as principal violist with the Boise, Idaho symphony, broadened his musical skills to include flute and mandolin, amongst other instruments, and recorded with a range of artists. The whereabouts and activities of Bartholomew Bishop are unknown at this time.

Related Topics:
Blue Jays - 1975 - Justin Hayward - John Lodge - M.D. - University of Oregon - McCall, Idaho - 1995 - Keyboarist - Michael Pinder - Boise, Idaho - Mandolin

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