About Us

Passionate about the saxophone, its characteristics and possibilities, The Quadraphonnes are adventurous! These strong, talented, ladies break the boundaries of the saxophone quartet with their mighty chops, tantalizing grooves, soaring solos and dynamic vocals. Covering a variety of musical styles from jazz-funk-pop, to avant-garde, gypsy-punk and classical, the quads put on a great show! Together since 2005, they have released multiple albums & have performed up and down the West Coast. Mary-Sue Tobin, Chelsea Luker, Mieke Bruggeman and Michelle Medler are multi-talented, beautiful women who are serious musicians, composers and arrangers! The Quadraphonnes will blow you away! The Quadraphonnes have performed at music festivals, clubs, schools, weddings, events, concert halls and live on Radio stations KMHD, KBOO & KQAC. They have collaborated with musicians, visual artists and dancers. They are also on the Miramax filmscore by Mark Orton to The Holdovers 2023!

A veritable force on the Portland music scene for over a decade, The Quadraphonnes is a saxophone quartet that unapologetically flaunts female power. They play a wide range of styles, display their impressive instrumental technique, and have no qualms about showcasing their feminine stage presence. On their own, they have two full-length albums, and are known for putting on memorable performances, including playing this music of Andrew Durkin’s at the 2017 Montavilla Jazz Festival. Members of the Quadraphonnes have been involved with the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble and PJCE Records since their inception, and have played pivotal roles in the direction of the organization.

Mieke Bruggeman - Baritone Sax and Vocals

Originally from the iconic orange groves of Redlands, California - where my grandfather gave me my first saxophone lessons - I quickly determined that a life of music was the path for me. After graduating with a music performance and education degree, I spent the next several years growing my skills. In 2005, I planted my musical roots in Portland, Oregon and have been living an ever-evolving and growing career out of the thing I love the most! Mieke Bruggeman is a woodwind player, composer/arranger and educator. In addition to the Quadraphonnes, Mieke performs with the Afro-Cuban band Melao De Cuba, Singer-Songwriter Ron Artis II & The Truth, Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble (PJCE) - a 12-piece jazz chamber ensemble and for various musical theater companies, recording sessions and freelance work. Notable recording session credits include “The Clapping Song” from the Netflix original All Together Now and “Walking the Plank” and “Belay” from the Disney Jr. show Jake and the Neverland Pirates. As education coordinator for the PJCE, she runs the Young Jazz Composers program – a mentorship and performance opportunity for students to learn the ins and outs of composing for a professional jazz ensemble. She has a studio of private students and loves working with students at various local band programs. Mieke and her husband enjoy tending to their garden, nurturing their beehives and chickens and spending as much time as they can camping all over Oregon.
Mieke's WEBSITE

Chelsea Luker - Alto/Soprano Sax and Vocals

A musician of many interests, Chelsea has carved her niche into several Portland performing groups writing, recording, singing, and playing saxophone, flute and guitar. Chelsea began serious classical training on saxophone at the age of 11. After 8 years of studying with teacher, Sylvia Baker, Chelsea went on to receive her B.M. in Saxophone Performance at Florida State University with Patrick Meighan, participating in various classical festivals, and winning the Florida State Woodwind solo competition her senior year. Chelsea also discovered her love for performing in live bands, and started her 1st professional rock/fusion group, Xingu. Xingu toured much of the Southeast US in their yellow school bus. In Portland, she has performed/recorded in many groups such as: The Quadraphonnes, JoyTribe, Mars Retrieval Unit, The Max Ribner Band, and The Lily Wilde Orchestra. Many of her groups and solo efforts have performed with great musicians including The Rascher Saxophone Quartet, Frederick Hemke, Eugene Rousseau, Robert Randolphe, Karl Denson, Dumpstaphunk and Balkan Beat Box to name a few! She also teaches private lessons on woodwinds, voice, and guitar.
Chelsea's WEBSITE

Michelle Medler - Tenor Sax and Vocals

Pacific Northwest Native, Michelle Medler, is thoroughly dedicated to music. Sharing music with students since age 19, she taught high school band while working her way through a BM-Jazz emphasis from Portland State University (with her first two years focused on classical studies). Emerging as an acclaimed educator, she co-founded and co-directs the Portland Youth Jazz Orchestra. Performing, composing and recording with passion, in multiple styles, Michelle is addicted to groove, harmony and improvisation. Her band MMQ has been together since the early 2000's performing, traveling and giving clinics. Michelle Medler Quartet has released two albums so far (with two more in the works)! Saxophones, flutes, clarinets and voice keep her busy practicing and teaching private lessons, but she also enjoys visual arts/design and gardening in her urban forest. Recently, via the miracle of DNA testing, she has learned she is 50% Icelandic and is excited to explore her newfound roots.

As for famous artists and a little name dropping: Michelle has performed with The Temptations, Rebirth Brass Band, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Charmaine & Charles Neville, Yoron Israel & Rick Peckham. Medler also performed on the soundtrack to the film “The Go Getter” (2008) and has recorded as a side-person on various Jazz/r'n'b albums and soundtracks for musicals. She studied with teachers from Seattle, Portland, New York, Boston & LA who pushed her to new extremes. Michelle holds down the woodwinds & vocals in the 1920s-40s Jazz ensemble, the Shanghai Woolies and the Medler Sextet/Septet.
Michelle's WEBSITE
PYJO WEBSITE • Study Jazz Music

Mary-Sue Tobin - Soprano and Alto Saxophones

Mary-Sue Tobin is a full-time professional performer and instructor on saxophones, woodwinds and piano with vast experience as both a side person and bandleader. Her work ethic and talents ensure that she stays busy and in high demand. You can find Mary-Sue performing regularly with the Rebirth of The Cool (lead alto); The Quadraphonnes (soprano and alto saxophone); and The Paul Brainard Horns (all saxophones) and many other regionally-based ensembles. Currently, she is the saxophone, clarinet, jazz theory, and piano instructor at Beacock Music in Vancouver, WA as well as the musical director for Gospel Outreach in Portland, Oregon. Additionally, she is a Montavilla Jazz Artist In Residence bringing jazz appreciation into local schools and instructs private lessons from her home in SE Portland. In addition to performance and education Mary-Sue serves as a member of the PDX Jazz Festival Programming Committee. She lives in SE Portland, where she plays and teaches music all the time.
Mary-Sue has performed with The Oregon Symphony Pops (Pointer Sisters, Johnny Mathis) and has shared the stage with international jazz and R&B stars such as Dave Douglas, The Temptations, James Moody and Esperanza Spalding. She appears in the movie "Hear No Evil" with the group Dub Squad and has toured internationally with the groups Flatland and Dub Squad, opening up for legends like Herbie Hancock, Steel Pulse and Third World. She has recorded and performed with numerous regional and international artists of all genres and performed at numerous Jazz and Blues Festivals. Mary-Sue's WEBSITE