A STONES THROW BIOS
FRANKIE SORCI KEYBOARD AND VOCALS
Frankie started playing piano at the age of four, had his first group at the age of 13 and started playing for monetary gain at the age of 15. Nightclubs were on the agenda at the age of 18 and with the help of a penciled in moustache he was able to gain entrance to most of the clubs in the Sacramento area. 20 was the age to hit the road. Frankie stayed on the road for the next 13 years doing what he loved, playing music. He started in the Nevada Circuit but graduated to playing every corner of the United States. Seattle to Santa Monica, Buffalo to Marco Beach, Toronto to Scottsdale working with groups of new , old and no fame, and it was all fun! When Music gets in your blood it will be there forever, and its good!
JERRY MARTINI SAX AND VOCALS
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Jerry Martini, aka Papa J is the original founder of Sly & the Family Stone; calling upon Sly Stone to become the leader of the first inter-racial, multi-gender major American Band. He has also performed with countless luminaries including Mike Bloomfield, Carlos Santana, Rolling Stone Bill Wymann, Robert Cray, Willie Lomax, Prince, Graham Central Station, and Van Morrison. He is avid in horn arrangements as well as song writing including "One With the Sun" on Santanas "Barbaletta album among others. Through the millenial New Years, he, along with Cynthia Robinson and Larry Graham, played with Prince on his 1999/2000 New Years Pay Per View special "Rave Un2 2000" capping "The Jam of the Year" tour taking them worldwide through Europe and The US to over 50 stops. More Recently he has been seen on the 2006 Grammy Awards with a cast of all stars in their tribute to Sly & The Family Stone.
BRIAN HACK GUITAR AND VOCALS
A Sacramento based musician who spent years playing club venues as a lead
guitarist & lead singer, after doing years of road gigs in California hotel
chains and the Nevada Casino circuit, Brian and Frank formed their own group
"Madison Avenue." Under the BMI affiliation, Brian completed five recording
projects with former members. Brian attributes his music career to years of
being influenced by Blues Guitarist and friend Mr. Robben Ford.
RUSS MARTINEZ DRUMS AND VOCALS
Russ started playing drums when his dad bought him a set of bongos at age seven after visiting Tijuana. To his parents dread, he never stopped. At fifteen his first band Reign opened the show at the Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento for Steppen Wolf and Three Dog Night, he was hooked. He played the club circuit in the Sacramento Valley from age 17 until he finally opened his own night club, The Bitter Creek Tavern in 1977. Bitter Creek was a musicians venue, large stage, lights and a house sound system designed to showcase some of the best bands in Northern California. In 1981 he started playing and touring with the Rutabaga Boogie Band. After he sold the club in 1985 he continued to play with the Rutabaga's until 2006. He's now re-energized and excited to be working with Jerry Martini and our current project.
MARK MARSH BASS AND VOCALS
I have been deeply interested in music for as long as I can recall. I knew I had to play an instrument when I saw the Beatles on television - it looked like the most fun you could have! At the time I had no idea what a bass was - but it was that instrument that moved me the most. As soon as I discovered its identity I pursued it single-mindedly.
I joined my first band at age 15 and have been in one or more ever since, ranging between popular styles like Rock, Blues, R&B (read 1950's and 1960's), Funk and Country/Western to the more disciplined pursuit of Western Classical music and Jazz. I love Jazz/Fusion and Bebop, but then I'm hard pressed to find a musical style that doesn't get me excited! Improvised music is absolutely the best! I've been both formally schooled and formally self-taught. Though primarily a bassist, I have enough command of my voice, guitar, drums and keyboards to get my ideas expressed. I am pleased to be in a position to collaborate with a number of wonderful and talented musicians. I have also realized a long time dream of having a home studio. The best is yet to come!
I am saddened to notice live music being evermore replaced by canned music and people are more often purchasing a single tune rather than an entire collection of work (i.e. CD or Album). Some of my most rewarding moments have been experiencing the of the moment interplay between talented musicians in a live setting. I have also frequently found that when I purchased an album for a particular piece, the works that came with it were even more moving. So, support your local musicians, support live music, listen with your ears - not your eyes, and try to bring a little more love into the world!
I joined my first band at age 15 and have been in one or more ever since, ranging between popular styles like Rock, Blues, R&B (read 1950's and 1960's), Funk and Country/Western to the more disciplined pursuit of Western Classical music and Jazz. I love Jazz/Fusion and Bebop, but then I'm hard pressed to find a musical style that doesn't get me excited! Improvised music is absolutely the best! I've been both formally schooled and formally self-taught. Though primarily a bassist, I have enough command of my voice, guitar, drums and keyboards to get my ideas expressed. I am pleased to be in a position to collaborate with a number of wonderful and talented musicians. I have also realized a long time dream of having a home studio. The best is yet to come!
I am saddened to notice live music being evermore replaced by canned music and people are more often purchasing a single tune rather than an entire collection of work (i.e. CD or Album). Some of my most rewarding moments have been experiencing the of the moment interplay between talented musicians in a live setting. I have also frequently found that when I purchased an album for a particular piece, the works that came with it were even more moving. So, support your local musicians, support live music, listen with your ears - not your eyes, and try to bring a little more love into the world!