JEREMY STEINKOLER, a professional drummer since age 15, has crafted a fresh and far-reaching style from an expansive range of early influences: classic New Orleans second-line street beats, the hard-driving bebop of Max Roach, Elvin Jones’ “circle of sound,” the modern phrasings of Jack DeJohnette, and various elements of funk, R&B, and rock ’n’ roll. His credits as a sideman include performances and recordings with the likes of Adam Levy and Lee Alexander (of Norah Jones’ band), Dave Ellis (The Other Ones, Charlie Hunter), Kirk Joseph (Dirty Dozen Brass Band), plus Guru Garage (funk-jazz), Hot Links (New Orleans R&B), Phatlip (funk-jazz), Bob Bradshaw & the Resident Aliens (rock), The Big Picture (R&B), and other groups. In addition to Mo’Fone, he leads and composes for his own J. Steinkoler Quartet, which was showcased on the critically acclaimed CD The Road Home (Evander Records, 2001). A native New Yorker and longtime Bay Area resident, he has performed at major area jazz clubs like Yoshi’s at Jack London Square (Oakland) and the Shoreline Amphitheater and played touring gigs at New York’s Lincoln Center and Village Gate, along with other prominent national venues. “A very swinging drummer who's mastered the art of coordinated iindependence.” ( East Bay Express) Jeremy is proud to be endorsed by Istanbul Agop Cymbals, Vic Firth drum sticks and Attack Drumheads.
[More info: www.jsteinkoler.com]
JIM PETERSON has been playing the saxophone in the Bay Area for over 20 years. An incredibly diverse reedman, Jim has played tenor, alto, soprano, and baritone saxophones with such well-known Bay Area bands as Mitch Woods and his Rocket 88's, Red Archibald and the Internationals, Steve Lucky and the Rumba Bums, Indigo Swing, Rhythm Town Jive, Motordude Zydeco, Hot Links, and many others. Feeling just at home playing modern jazz as he does rhythm and blues, Jim leads his own trio, and was a founding member of the groups Mumbo Gumbo and Giant Trio. His walking baritone lines often combine bass and melody together, weaving in and out of the harmonic intricacies of each tune, filling up so much space that the ear doesn’t miss a note. Jim plays with a fire and drive that ignite both the audience and the band to groove with terrific intensity.
LARRY DE LA CRUZ has played saxophone with such musical legends as Doc Severenson (the Tonight Show Band), Kenny Werner, Phil Woods, Bobby Hutcherson, Lou Rawls, The Temptations, The Four Tops, and the San Diego Symphony. A partial list of CDs that have been graced by his horn are Carlos Angeles’ "Something Real," Colors’ “Bureacrazy," Flight 7’s "Sky High," Allan Phillips’ "Spanglish," Aldoush Alpanian’s "This Life," Rob Thorsen’s "First Impression," and Mike Vax’s "Alternate Route." Larry’s rich experience as a performer and highly honed skills as a saxophonist and composer have made him one of the pre-eminent horn players on the San Francisco scene. Larry's dynamic soloing can range from Coltrane-esque runs on up-tempo tunes to soulful wails on slower ballads. Whatever the genre, Larry's energetic style and musical sensitivity are immediately recognizable, and always memorable. Equally comfortable on the flute, clarinet, and a wide range of percussion instruments, Larry adds many zesty ingredients of sound to the unique gumbo that is Mo'Fone. [More info:www.larrydelacruz.com]