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| Morris LeGrande -guitar |
Winter has been a time of creativity and studio work. While the winter chill surrounds Utopian Dreams, we have been warmly gathered in our studio in Santa Cruz...exploring our sound and working on originals for the EP later on this year. One of the exciting developments that happened was that our guitarist, Morris LeGrande was hired to go on tour in China for two months...now while I don't have the details about the tour...Morris expressed misgivings about going because the creative process is so exciting right now...We all told him not to miss this opportunity to see China doing what he does best...we know he will be back with the tight chops that touring produces as well as some great stories to share. Drummer Joey Truso heard from Morris last week...at our last rehearsal, Joey reported in laughter that Morris said..."It's different here"...which broke us all in laughter...Morris will be back in early March to prepare to go into session with us.
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| Pat Britton - Keyboards |
Another "surprise" happened in December to keyboardist Pat Britton. The 2011 CoffeeTalk Jazz Radio Awards were announced and broadcast live on December 29, 2011 by producer Bridgette Lewis. Pat was humbled and surprised to find out that she was an award winner this year...chosen by the listeners based on an interview she did in earlier in the year...Here's the poster!
Also several new members came aboard the band for 2012. They have made the commitment to see Utopian Dreams reach the production of an outstanding commercial EP this year. All these musicians have extensive pro resumes and represent some of finest players from the East Bay. The East Bay of SF Bay Area has been a hot bed of creative musicianship....with such powerhouses as... trumpeter Greg Adams (Tower of Power, East Bay Soul), guitarist Ray Obiedo ( Herbie Hancock, George Duke) and percussionist Sheila E. (Pete Escovedo, Prince, Billy Cobham)...setting the East Bay professional musicianship standard. Here's the new roster:
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| Tim Merrit - Sax |
Tim Merritt began playing saxophone in grade school and became proficient through high school. Like most young musicians, he paid his dues playing in many East Bay bands and became experienced in various styles of music. In his professional career, one of his high points was working with Dan Daniels, the original pianist with the legendary Tower of Power. Tim brings soprano, alto and tenor chops to Utopian Dreams. He is simply off-the-hook and can blow. Here is a sample:
"Timeout" by Tim Merritt
http://www.myspace.com/timmerritt18/music/songs/timeout-37174897
We welcome Tim aboard the Utopian Dreams vision...
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| Earnest Nation - piano/keys |
Earnest Nation did his jazz studies at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Southern University was the first historically black college to develop an academic degree program in jazz. While there, Earnest developed his chops in the "Mellaa Band" combo under the guidance of Alvin Batiste and the distinguished Southern University Jazz Institute. The original Mellaa Band reunited in the East Bay and reformed as "Groovolution" recording and laying down the funk and jazz in the Bay Area. Morris Legrande introduced us to Earnest. We are so grateful to have Earnest's piano styling in Utopian Dreams.
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| Joey Truso - Drums |
Finally...last but not least...Joey Truso
on drums. Joey is a "in demand" pro in the East Bay because he is the pocket master. The Eastbay
Messengers, California Flight, the Rhonda Benin Quintet and Greg Ballad...to name a few...count on him to lay the groove for them...whether it be live performance or commercial recording...we are truly blessed to have this master of the drums as an integral member of Utopian Dreams...
So the next few months will find Utopian Dreams in the studio...hard at work on the recording side of music.
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