| About The Utopian Dreams Band | GMichael Merrifield - bass/Rhodes piano - executive producer Patricia Britton - keyboard synths - co-producer Eddie Baccus Jr. - all saxes and EWI Tony Darren - guitar (courtesy of Concord Jazz Group) Maurice Chevalier Davis - piano/keys/arranger Brad McKeague - drums (West tour) Brian ("Spyda") T. Wheatley - drums (East tour) Executive producer, Gmichael Merrifield, was an original collaborator in the jazz fusion band “Borneo”. Borneo went on to work as a opening act band in the San Francisco Bay Area for Lee Riteneour, Alan Holdsworth, Steve Morse of the Dixie Dregs, Ronnie Montrose, Stanley Clarke, Alex Acuna, Jeff Berlin, Randy Jackson, Gil Scott Heron and the list goes on. He has also performed with Pamela Rose and the Eights, Chris Cobb (Tommy TuTone), Kevin Zuffi (Etta James Band) and Addie Clement (Joy of Cooking and Fanny). GMichael also recorded a jazz television show ( KQED) with international jazz singing sensation Nina Causey. Other jazz notables that “G” worked with were Faye Carol's band (Monterey Jazz Festival) which included Achyutan (Barbara Hunter quartet) and Benny Green ( Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers), Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Watson, Milt Jackson, Diana Krall. Utopian Dreams is blessed with the sax artistry of Eddie Baccus Jr. Eddie has an international resume that includes playing with such luminaries as Candy Dulfer, Rick Braun, Grover Washington Jr., George Duke, George Benson, Everette Harp and Gerald Albright to name just a few... New in the Utopian Dreams lineup this year is guitarist Tony Darren debuting with us on "From Dreams to You...Tony garnered a SESAC national performance award as well as a GRAMMY consideration for best new contemporary jazz artist....Tony has worked with such diverse artists as Shadowfax, Tom Scott, Narada Michael Walden, Jeff Lorber, Freddie Hubbard, Gregg Karukas, Alphonso Johnson, Joe Sample, Don Randi, Vinnie Colaiuta and many others. Now Tony is a core member of Utopian Dreams... Utopian Dreams alumni, percussionist Sam "Mombo" Hernandez, returns with us for the 2013 concerts and sessions...after hooking up with vocalist, Slim Man, in the 90's, Mombo broke into the music we love! He has performed with Peter White, Steve Oliver, Lou Rawls, Roger Smith, Michael Paulo, Freddie Ravel, Marc Antoine, Greg Vail, Tony Windle, and the list goes on! Mombo is considered a core member and long time friend. |
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