THE LOCOMOJO BAND
Bob Valderrama
Lead guitar
Experience:
35+ years experience. Studying jazz improv with renowned bebop player/student of Lennie Tristano, Larry Meyers.
Conversant in Irish, Rock, Jazz, Latin and Funk genres.
– Toured with Temptress, Lewd Buddha and One Step Beyond.
– Session work with Kenny Simmons of the Commodores,
– Session work with Blues great Mason Casey.
– Session work with Rock ‘n’ roll Hall of Fame legend Freddy Scott.
– Session and tour work with Fusion guitarist Joaquin Lievano.
– 4 consecutive years in house band at The Bitter End (Lewd Buddha).
– Shared the stage with Black Sabbath at Jones Beach Theater.
– Opened for Motörhead and White Zombie.
Gear:
Custom 24 Paul Reed Smith loaded with Joe Barden pick ups. G&L Stratocaster Fender telecaster, several acoustic guitars. VUDU Custom head, 212 Mesa Boogie cabinet, Fender Deluxe combo.
Pete Malvese
Bass / Vocals
Experience:
45+ years experience. Concert master status for symphonic band. Steady Pro gig player and studio musician.
– Member of the popular 90s power trio, Causticlasm.
– Performed with several professional cover bands.
– Currently in several alternative projects including metal, rock & funk.
Influences:
Including but not limited to The Beatles, Van Halen, ZZ Top, Metallica, Iron Maiden, King’s X, Rush, Funk, R&B, early HipHop, and even my Mom, who performed in several barbershop quartets and choirs.
Gear:
Carl Thompson 5 string fretless and 4 string fretted basses, Fender Jazz basses, Ampeg cabinets.
Andy "Saint" St. Angelo (Papa Santo)
Drums - Founding member - "Big Chief" of LocoMojo
Experience:
45+ years experience, includes concert bands, orchestras, drumlines, jazz groups, theater companies, worship groups, jam bands, and studio sessions.
– 2003-2006, Toured and recorded with Lewd Buddha
– Opened for George Clinton and P-Funk (2005 Danbury, CT)
– Opened for Rusted Root (2006 Hartford, CT).
Influences:
John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Carlos Santana, Joe Zawinul, Steve Gadd, Omar Hakim, Dennis Chambers, Billy Cobham, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Jim Keltner, Johnny Vidacovich, Stanton Moore, Zigaboo Modeliste, Vinnie Colaiuta, Mike Shrieve, Trilok Gurtu, AJ Hall.
Gear:
Pearl Decade Maple kit, Snares include Pearl Omar Hakim Sig. Mahogany, Pearl Masters Custom Maple, Pearl Piccolo, Pearl M80, Ludwig Black Beauty, Cymbals include Zildjian (Custom A/K/K-Custom Hybrid), Pearl Hardware, Trick ProV-1 pedals.
Michele Curcio
Lead Vocals
Experience:
Accomplished singer and performer. Leader of Take 3 acoustic.
– Leader of Women Of Soul
– Member of The No Conscience band.
– Member of Velvet Crunch.
– Member of Take 3 Rockin' Blues.
– Performed with Living Ends at The Bitter End.
Influences:
Etta James, Aretha Franklin , Janis Joplin , Susan Tedeschi
Chaka Khan, and everyone in between.
Gear:
Shure beta 58, in-ear monitor, Galaxy Audio / Shure
Paul Curcio
Vocals / Harmonica
Experience:
40+ years experience performing. Lover of soul, rock, blues and everything else.
– Leader of The Red Eye Blues Band
– Leader of What's Next Blues Band
– Member of The LI Blues Society
Influences:
Muddy Waters, Van Morrison, Ray Charles, Little Walter, Kim Wilson, Greg Allman.
Gear:
Hohner Crossover Harmonicas, Controlled Magnetic Bullet Mics, Sonny Jr. Super Cruncher Amplifier, Fender Hot Rod Deville 410. Avid gear collector.
Joe Blasi
Keyboards
Experience:
30+ years playing in various bands. Primarily Rock, Jazz, Blues, Improvisation, and Italian music. Turned pro at the age of 14. Proficient in Bass Guitar as well as Accordion and Keyboards.
– 10 years on the wedding circuit, primarily with The Messia Band.
– Member of One Hit Wonders
– Member of Pam Betti Blues Band
– Member of Lewd Buddha
Influences:
Ray Manzerek, Jon Lord, Jimmy Smith, Dave Brubeck and Al Kooper, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Doors and Pink Floyd.
Gear:
Crumar 7, Korg Cx-3, Yamaha MoX6, Fender twin reverb, Leslie 850.
Christian Brugger
Violin / Mandolin
Experience:
40+ years experience playing violin, 21+ years playing guitar. Several years playing trombone. Began violin at the age of 5. First violin was a crackerjack box as part of the Suzuki School. Learned Classical Guitar while living in Central America.
– Performing with several Contemporary Christian Worship Bands.
– Member of the contemporary Jazz group, Soul Progression.
Influences:
More influenced by styles and genres than particular artists — Bossa Nova, Brazilian Jazz, Classical Latin Guitar, New Age, Bebop Jazz, Blues, Christian and Classic Gospel music.
Gear:
Jordan Violin, Yamaha Godin Mandolin, Taylor guitars, Electro harmonix and TC electronic peddals as well as Fishman amps.
"Big Jim" Jimbo Lange
Slide guitar
Experience:
40+ years experience playing classic, southern rock and blues
in the NY, NJ, CT area.
– Opened for Marshall Tucker in the 2000s.
Influences:
Duane Allman, Lowell George, Warren Haynes, Allen Collins, Steve Gaines, Gary Rossington, Mark Knopfler, Toy Caldwell, Uncle Rich, Uncle Joe, Dad, Mom.
Gear:
Currently playing Les Pauls and Strats. Bogner and Alessandro amplifiers through Lovepedals.
Ed Hoey
Congas & Percussion
Experience:
45+ years experience, performing with bands such as
Little Buster & The Soul Bros., Little Wolf, MSRP, Mountain Jam Orchestra, and Acoustically Correct
– Opened for Johnny Winter, BB King, and many others
Influences:
Chembo Corniel , Duane Allman , King Curtis Giovanni Hidalgo , Chucho Valdez , Anga Diaz, Stephan Grappelli and pretty much everything from Bluegrass to the Beatles
Gear:
Moperc Congas / LP Congas and Bongos
Shure SM 57s and Audix D-2 and D-4 Mics
Tim Dorsey
Keyboards / Vocals
Experience:
40+ years playing in bands since 1988.
Influences:
Dr. John, Maceo Parker, Stevie Wonder, Parliament, Jon Cleary, Adam Maness
Gear:
Yamaha MOX8, Nord Electro2
Vyctory Kilralee-Hart
Vocals / Bass / Keys / Viola
Experience:
11 Years trained singer and performer in Classic Opera, Theater, Contemporary genres, experience in local Theater/Plays, Choirs, and chamber ensembles.
⁃ Trained at The American musical & dramatic academy; Theater Major
⁃ Runway/editorial Model/ NYFW & LAFW
⁃ Trained vocalist;Opera, Theater, and Contemporary
Influences:
Betty Davis, Womack & Womack, Kate Bush, Paraliment Funkadelic, Heart, Linda Lewis, The Jacksons, Teena Marie, Rick James, Millie Jackson, A Taste of honey, Labelle, Nina Hagen, Sly and Robbie, Prince, Slave, Leon Sylvers, The Brides of Funkenstein, The Slits, Patrice Rushen, and Bob Marley &The Wailers
Gear:
6 string Ibanez SR506 bass guitar, Fender rumble bass combo amp, Foscurite Scarlett solo audio 3rd gen interface, Pyle classic dynamic mic, Shure sm58 mic, JBL 305p mkII studio monitor speaker, Behringer vintage analog delay pedal
Jonathan Bonett
Vocals / Rhythm Guitar
Experience:
35+ years performing music. Studied music and theater at SUNY Geneseo and countless dive bars, coffee houses, garages, basements and sidewalks.
– Member of Lewd Buddha
- Founding member of Midnight Chowder
- Member of Little Music Company
- Opened for Rusted Root, Edwin McCain and Howie Day
– Featured artist on Lewd Buddha's albums "Soap and Tabasco" and "Life in Interesting Times"
Influences:
Elvis, Springsteen, Beatles, Stones, Roy Orbison, Paul Simon, Billy and Elton, George Michael, Rob Thomas, Bob Valderrama and Frank Malabe
Gear:
Fender American Stratocaster, Epiphone GS335, Fender Acoustisonic Telecaster, Fender Deluxe combo. Shure Super 55 and Blx288 Sm58.
Fred Waxenberg (Dr. Fred)
Sax / Flute / Keys / Backup Vocals
Experience:
40 + years performing.
– Featured artist in groups such as, Hollywood, Crystal, Flashback, the Belairs, the Phantoms of Soul, Rapidfire, Cover to Cover and The History of Rock and Roll.
– Performed at Rum Bottoms, Christopher Street and the Oak Beach Inns
– Toured nationwide
– Recorded for Blackhawk records
– Performed at the Montrose jazz festival in Switzerland.
– Appeared in shows for the New York Roots Music Association (NYRMA)
Influences:
Jazz Fusion, Pop, Soul, Rock and Roll.
Gear:
Conn Alto Sax, E.M. Winston Boston Soprano Sax, Selmer Bundy Flute.