Depending on the size of the band stage or the nature of the event, such as a party, barbecue, dinner or wedding etc. you can have a trio, a quartet or a quintet, vocals or no vocals. The core band can be piano, bass and drums, or guitar, bass and drums. We can add vocals, sax and/or trumpet if you prefer. We've often played with the combination of vocals, piano, bass and drums. I do all the organizing and rehearse several times a week with different players.
There are many fine, seasoned musicians in the Marin area and many of us know each other.
We play a combination of standard jazz classics and some more modern pieces too. Regardless of the tune, we can play them all in an exciting up-beat way or in a quiet, smooth fasion. Either way. It's the music of Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Sonny Rollins and more.
One group I play with monthly at the Seahorse in Sausalito is a very serious 50's/60's jazz band where we take it out.
I'm also in a contemporary pop band with guitar and two female vocalists. A great band for a party or wedding or for folks that like to sing in there car! We play all those same tunes.
Last but not least I play monthly in Alameda with a husband and wife team that opened for Dave Mason once in Sausalito, guitar and bass, mostly originals and tunes by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Van Morrison etc. A nice three piece band for a quieter night of music.
"Hot can be cool, and cool can be hot, and each can be both. But hot or cool, man, jazz is jazz."
- Louis Armstrong
We play a combination of standard jazz classics and some more modern pieces as well.
"If you play a tune & a person don't tap their feet, don't play the tune."
- Count Basie