Fred and Friends
Fred Wilchek ~ guitar
Dale Kotler ~ bass
Eleanor Kotler ~ vocals
Patrick Clark ~ drums
with special guest ~ James McRae
Fred Wilchek has been performing and teaching in the Washington DC area for over forty years. He moved to the area in 1969 to study classical guitar with John Marlow at The American University. He continued his guitar studies at the Peabody Conservatory where he received his Master's Degree. Fred was an instructor of guitar at the Virginia Commonwealth University as well as a teacher at the Washington Conservatory of Music for 22 years. He currently teaches at his Alma mater, The American University, as well his home studio in Silver Spring. Fred performs in a variety of guitar styles including classical, jazz, funk, country and rock. In addition to his professional music endeavors, Fred volunteers his time and musical skills each month to participate as a regular member of Profusion, the Inwood Coffeehouse band.
Like Fred, drummer Patrick Clark and bassist Dale Kotler are also familiar faces to Inwood Coffeehouse audiences. Over the years they have appeared at the coffeehouse both as feature act performers and as Profusion volunteers.
With a three-octave range, Eleanor Kotler can sing just about any style and genre, but at her heart, she is a Soul singer. Last year, she was selected to sing the National Anthem for the Washington Nationals in front of a sold out crowd. Ms. Kotler has performed with her husband, Dale, in various bands and concerts locally over the years. She studied Classical voice with Mr. Jerome Barry, who taught her to sing Opera. This gave her solid foundation to belt out powerful songs from artists like Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, and Robert Plant.
Special guest, James McRae just completed the fifth grade at Cloverly Elementary School. A five year guitar student of Fred Wilchek, he was a member of the Peabody Conservatory Prep Jazz Band this past Spring, and he performed at the Twins Lounge jazz club in Washington DC.