By Matthew Longhurst
longhurst@newsroom.byu.edu
The gritty, aching Baho blues slide out of the inexpensive stereo in Josh Aker's apartment.
To the three members of the Baho Quartet present, those echoes represent the best way they know for communicating the often-intense sentiments of the soul.
The Baho quartet (Baho is an acronym for the last names of the group member) is composed of Aker, Colin Botts, 24, a senior from Pleasant Hill, Calif., majoring in sociology; Bart Olsen, 23, a senior from Spokane, Wash., majoring in international studies; and Matt Harding, a graduate of the BYU music program, from San Diego.
Harding is not living in Provo but the group is temporarily surviving as a trio in his absence.
For Aker, 24, a senior majoring in music, from San Diego, the powerful, unpredictable music stands as a sharp contrast to his neatly-kept, meticulously-organized appearance.
Yet the music, mournful and poignant, somehow melds perfectly into the still surroundings and yellow-painted walls of his living room.
Each of the tracks on Baho's self-titled debut album exhibits a unique style of music, showing the wide range of the group's talent, Aker said.
When asked to compare their sound to another well-known style, Olson said, 'We play like crazed gypsies.'
Olson, who served a church mission among a large gypsy population in Turkey, said that gypsies are very talented musicians and that he learned a lot about style by hearing them play.
Botts said the group's music style ranges from traditional jazz and blues to bassa nova and New Orleans funk. A strong flamenco flair influences some songs as well.
The quartet has played together since 1998, Aker said.
They were jamming one day at Aker's house when Harding walked in and 'the creative juices started flowing,' Aker said.
They were drawn together by their need to express the love they have for music and creation, Aker said.
The group sings most Saturday nights at Sundance Resort and is appearing Friday, Oct. 13, at Barnes and Noble at 330 East 1300 S. in Orem. The group will be performing at Johnny B's on Nov. 20.