Dance of the Universe formed in the early 1980s, featuring brothers Peter and Tripp Sprague and frequently playing at Elario’s, on the top floor of the Hotel La Jolla. The band also included Kevyn Lettau, who grew up in Berlin, Germany, moving to San Diego when she was 14. By age 17 she’d caught the singing bug and began working with Peter Sprague singing jazz, R&B and Brazilian music around town, most often with Dance of the Universe.
The band’s unique blend of Brazilian music, straight-ahead jazz, and covers of tunes by Chick Corea and Weather Report made them somewhat of a local jazz phenomenon. They released several self-produced records including You Make Me Want To Sing, and The Space Between Two Thoughts.
Lettau got her big break in 1984 when the legendary Brazilian pianist and bandleader, Sergio Mendes, discovered her (Al Jarreau was a mentor, too). She toured and recorded with Mendez’ Brazil 99 for eight years, developing her own vocal style along the way.
In 2008, Lettau reunited with Peter Sprague to record a new full-length, What Is Enough, released on Sprague’s SBE records.
In late 2012, the Sprague brothers joined together again to form Bop Moderno, a San Diego all-star jazz ensemble also featuring Gilbert Castellanos, Gunnar Biggs, and Duncan Moore.