The Big North Duo performs classic swing, blues, country and original songs on the upright bass and mandolin. Christian and Paul have been playing together since 2004 at weddings, parties (formal and decidedly informal,) wineries, restaurants, roadhouse bars, and formal concert venues - they always find a way to fit the situation and remain true to their artistic vision.
The Big North were professional and easy to work with. Their music was quirky, fun, relaxing, and had a ol’ time carnival feel. They absolutely helped create the chill picnic party vibe we were going for. Absolutely book this duo for any of your music needs.
The Big North Duo performed at a big party we had. Great energy, good music, very professional and got people dancing.
The Big North Duo performed at a big party we had. Great energy, good music, very professional and got people dancing.
The Big North Duo are professional, talented and fun. They brought their unique style to our retirement community’s fall festival and performed a great variety of songs, most with vocals, all of which suited the occasion and allowed for conversation in the neighboring space. I highly recommend the duo and will find (or make) an opportunity to book them in the future.
Response from The Big North Duo:
Thanks for the chance to play Christine, we had a great time!
We hired The Big North Duo for our fall wedding. With rain early in the morning at our venue we ended up having to change plans, including where the band was going to play. They were extremely flexible, and everyone really enjoyed their music! Plus, they quickly and quietly set up and tore down, and were very easy to communicate with. They were perfect for our wedding!
Response from The Big North Duo:
Thanks Joel, despite the weather it was a lovely wedding in a beautiful setting. Thanks for letting us play for you!
Such a fun time, thank you The Big North Duo
The Big North Duo were incredible! They went above and beyond to make our wedding ceremony and reception fun and romantic. They learned and performed "our song" and I love it more than the original! My only regret is not getting it recorded on video- they were perfect acoustic "background music" and also a great swinging time for folks who wanted to dance! Great communication, gracious and self-directed... I feel so very lucky we were able to book them. (Bonus, since they are a duo, they also would work well in a small space!) also attached photos credit to our amazing photographer Crystal Genes!
Response from The Big North Duo:
Thanks so much, Gretchen, we're glad you liked "That's What's Up." I love those photos, too!
Photos from this event
Could not have asked for more from Christian and Paul. They were both super professional, from their communication prior to the event, to their commitment to learning and playing a new song just for us, to their amazing talent and ability to entertain guests of all ages, to their genuinely sincere warmth and friendliness. Would recommend them highly to anyone, and would absolutely hire them again!
Response from The Big North Duo:
Thanks, Patrick! We had a blast, and hope to see you around soon.
Photos from this event
Not only are these great guys, but their music was perfect for the dinner party. The space was fairly small, but their music was exactly what we needed. I'm already hoping to book them for next years event!
Response from The Big North Duo:
We had a lovely time, glad we were able to play a few requests, as well. Please do call us for next year!
Price Range: $200 and up.
Gig Length: 45 - 300 minutes
Languages: English
The Big North Duo delivers a quality musical performance in a demeanor suited to the setting - we can be chatty and engaging, or fade into the background and provide atmosphere.
When The Big North Duo plays toes tap, audiences smile and everyone gets a break from the workaday world. Often swinging, sometimes mournful, always from the heart. Christian McKee (vocals, mandolin, mandola) and Paul Prato (bass) began playing together in 2004, and have played together in a variety of bands ever since. After logging hundreds of hours on the bandstand, Paul and Christian are as comfortable in free flights of musical fancy as they are delivering a tightly arranged song. Though they are an uncommon combination for a duo, the mandolin and bass are quite well suited, each instrument leaving a great deal of sonic space for the other, each player free to explore all aspects of his instrument’s voice.
We require a dry performance space. For the majority of performances our clients prefer moderate amplification and in those cases we require access to electrical power, and will provide all sound equipment. If the client prefers we are happy to perform purely acoustically provided the setting is generally quiet and conducive to it. Got a special circumstance? We can probably work around or through it, just let us know in advance.
| August 19, 2022 • 6:00pm - 10:00pm | Cocktail Party |
| June 17, 2022 • 7:00pm - 10:00pm | Birthday Party |
| June 04, 2022 • 4:00pm - 6:00pm | Wedding Reception |
| October 22, 2021 • 2:30pm - 4:00pm | Retirement Community Event |
| September 28, 2019 • 5:00pm - 6:30pm | Wedding Reception |
| June 09, 2019 • 7:30pm - 9:30pm | Birthday Party |
| August 12, 2018 • 1:00pm - 2:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| June 29, 2017 • 7:00pm - 9:00pm | Live at Waltz Brewing - Forest Grove |
| June 18, 2017 • 2:00pm - 11:00pm | Wedding Reception |
| June 03, 2017 • 3:00pm - 5:00pm | Wedding Reception |
| June 01, 2017 • 6:30pm - 9:30pm | Live at Barrel 47 - Carlton |
| April 08, 2017 • 7:00pm - 9:00pm | Live at The Hoppy Brewer - Gresham |
| April 06, 2017 • 6:30pm - 9:30pm | Live at Barrel 47 - Carlton |
| March 30, 2017 • 7:00pm - 9:00pm | Live at Waltz Brewing - Forest Grove |
| March 24, 2017 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Live at New Seasons - Woodstock |
| December 18, 2016 • 5:00pm - 6:00pm | Holiday Party (Christmas) |
This list is subject to change:
Act Naturally
A Kiss To Build a Dream On
Ain't Misbehavin'
All Blues
All of Me
All Shook Up
Ashokan Farewell
Ballad For Trio
Beaumont Rag
Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Billy In The Low Ground
Black Orpheus
Blackberry Blossom
Blue and Lonesome
Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain
Blue Moon
Blue Skies
Bossa Dorado
Bubbles In My Beer
Concrete and Fiction
Crazy
Dawg's Waltz
Don't Be Ashamed of Your Age
Don't Fence Me In
Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Factory Moon
Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover
Fly Me To The Moon
Gee, Baby Ain't I Good To You
Georgia On My Mind
Going to California
Goodbye To Gearhardt
Gotta Get Drunk
Heard Someone Say They Want Me
Hell's Kitchen Sings
I Can't Give You Anything But Love
I'm Gonna Sit Right Down
If I Only Had A Brain
I Lost It
It Don't Mean A Thing
It Had To Be You
It's All Your Fault
Kiss of Fire
La Vie En Rose
Lawn Boy
Les Feuilles Mortes
Let It Snow
Lonesome Whistle
Louis Collins
Macadoo's Waltz
Miss Molly
Mombassa
Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out
Nuages
Rainy Day Blues
Red Haired Boy
Rocking Chair
Russian Lullaby
Simple Truth
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
She Ain't Got It Like My Baby
Somewhere Over The Rainbow
St. Anne's Reel
Stealin'
Summer Wind
Summertime
Sunday's Waltz
Sweet Georgia Brown
Swing 42
Tears
That's Amore
Thrill is Gone
Tico Tico
Treadwell
Trouble In Mind
True, You Don't Love Me
Two Wheeled Twister
Turvy
What The Neighbors Say
Whiskey Before Breakfast
You're So Square (Baby I Don't Care)
| Christian McKee | Vocals, mandolin, mandola |
| Paul Prato | Bass |
Django Reinhardt, Willie Nelson and the many great swing, blues and country musicians of the 20th century.
No special equipment or stage requirements
Laguna Niguel, CA 
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17 Verified Bookings Yessica N. said “Matt was amazing! He has excellent communication skills. He is super friendly and just completely amazing! Everyone at our event enjoyed and loved his…”
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5 Verified Bookings Alison C. said “He did a great job!”
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7 Verified Bookings Chris H. said “We were happy to find that the Talbott brothers were available for our family celebration. Their music was original, fresh, and expressive. I can't…”
Portland, OR
Acoustic Band
11 Verified Bookings Ralph P. said “Many clients at the venue had high praise for the music. Thank you for a great three days.”
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