MAESTRO SUBGUM & THE WHOLE: Sounds From A Fringe Theatre

Maestro Subgum And The Whole was formed in late 80's in Chicago. As an ensemble connected mostly with the musico-theatrical activities of the Curious Theatre Branch -which was founded in 1988 by multi-talented band members Beau O'Reilly and Jenny Magnus- Maestro developed an avant, weirdly performed style based on showtunes, cabaret jazz and eclectically incorporated elements from blues, pop, folk, funk-rock, alternative...

Band's sound was mainly built around voices, horns (trumpet, flute, trombone...), piano/organ and percussions, their line up hosted many musicians though, as well members of the theater company. Beside its unique live performances, Maestro created several very significant recordings, most of them self-released and now hard to find.

Maestro went defunct circa middle-nineties, when  pianist and co-composer Michael Greenberg quit. Since then Greenberg has been making music with new bands and releasing solo works, while Beau O'Reilly and Jenny Magnus continue writing, directing and performing their plays..
Maestro's latest appearance was an one-night reunion show in March 2009. O'Reilly's Crooked Mouth String Band is now the band within the long-lasting Curious Theatre Branch.

Maestro Subgum & The (nearly) Whole at reunion show (2009)

Maestro's crew:

Beau O'Reilly (a.k.a. Lefty Fizzle), Jenny Magnus, Miki Greenberg (Miki the Lip), Bob Jacobson, Kate O'Reilly (Sister Kate), Colm O'Reilly (Clem of the Bogs), Blair Thomas, Ned Folkerth (Red Ned the flame-haired messenger of love), Mark Messing, Mark Hollman, Spencer Sundell and others...

"lost lost lost", 1991

"Jiggle The Constable", 1992

"Whoopsadaisy", 1997

The LaFolieDuJour intro to Maestro Subgum & The Whole 

(sorry!! due to complaints the link to our anthology has been removed)

Bamboo Guru ( from "lost lost lost", 1991)