Festive Music! (scroll down)

Styles: The band plays a mixture of Caribbean, Latin, Jazz, Reggae, in various degrees of party atmosphere to accommodate a specific setting.

Flexibility: Sets can vary depending on the mood of the event and by the request of the host, tailored to the venue.  Typical bookings run for three hours, three forty-five minute sets, (two short breaks in between) but may be extended or shortened per request from the event coordinator. 

Events: The band plays many different events --  fund-raisers, weddings, clubs, back-yard parties and festivals.  Band supplies all equipment.

 

References:

Nugget Markets Wine Benefits
Angel Nolasco, (530) 753-6690
Best-of-the Barrel events exhibiting local wineries and restaurants

Sacramento Tree Foundation
Shannon Sturgis,  (916)641-7097
Outdoor fundraiser, 400+ seated event

Raleys Markets Leadership Team
Janis Thompson, (916) 376-6739
Management graduation event

UC Davis Athletics
Michael Angius, (530) 752-8683
Grand-opening celebration of new stadium

Dream Wedding Show 2009
Buzz Gallardo, (916) 285-6073
Cal Expo Fashion Show Entertainment

Elk Grove Rotary Club
Francisco Rodriguez, (916) 691-7321
Spring Gala /Silent Auction Event

Nieman Marcus Palo Alto
Nicole Dooly, Sydney Brown
Annual Christmas Party, Various Sales Events

Kids-at-Heart Greenhouse Fundraiser
Liz Golla, Shannon Strugis
KVIE fundraiser for disadvantaged youth

Borland Annual Island Event
(916)736-3450
Annual backyard Caribbean party

Venues in Davis:
Sophia’s Thai Bar, Natsoulas Gallery, Sudwerk Restaurant & Brewery

 

Musicians

Wendell Fishman ....Keyboards, Percussion

Born in Sacramento, California and raised in the neighboring city of Davis, Wendell, the son of Jerry and Sylvia Fishman, began playing the piano at the age of 5.  After rebelling against mandatory lessons, Wendell learned to play by ear, imitating songs he heard on the television, radio, and in his parents’ record collection.
In college at UC Davis, Wendell met fellow musicians and began playing in local bands, including “The Davis Heat”, “The Fellas”, “Combole” (aka. “Big Frito”) with Joe Craven, “BFJ”, “Akimbo”, and “The Free Association”.  Influential artists include Miles Davis, Ray Charles, Bob Marley, Bill Evans, Sting, and Cachao.  Wendell’s “day” job is teaching computer science at Cosumnes River College.

 

Rick Montgomery ....Steel Drum (a.k.a. Steel Pan), Percussion

Rick, featured on steel drum, or the "pan", comes from a diverse musical background.  Having studied music at UC Davis, Rick is an alumnus of the David Grisman Quintet on guitar during the '90's, when he also began playing the steel drum. He is co- founder of Crowart Records and
has produced recordings for such notables as Joe Craven, Heath Walton and New York Times best-selling author John Lescroart. He's recorded with other greats such as Jerry Garcia, Matt Eckle, Maria Muldaur and recently on steel drum for Joe Craven's Django Latino.  Rick's love of the sound of the steel drum drives his passion for the sound of the Caribbean Jazz Quintet.

Darren Virassammy....Bass Guitar, Percussion

Darren has been playing bass and percussion since 1996.  Upon relocating from the bay area to the Sacramento area in 1998, he begun working with the members of the Caribbean Jazz Q-tet on various projects.  He was a member of the Free Association,
amongst various other projects with members including John Tchicai, Ross Hammond, and Zach Hash.Although influenced by many styles of music from around the world, Darren grew up listening to calypso, soca, and reggae. Darren's Caribbean heritage can be heard through his playing.

Andrew Enberg .... Drums

Andrew Enberg grew up in Los Angeles and began playing the drums when he was 12 years old. He studied for six years with the late Jim Engle, (the renowned L.A. session big band drummer and author), and was a member of the award-winning Van Nuys High Big Band. He was a

member of the Humboldt State University Big Band, winning awards at the 1985 Pacific Coast Jazz Festival. He was a member of Sacramento-area alternative-rock band "The Sketch Olives", and played with legendary saxophonist John Tchicai in the improvisational jazz group "The Archetypes" from 1992-1996, touring Europe twice and performing at The Knitting Factory in New York. John Tchicai and the Archetypes released the CD "Love is Touching" (now available on Apple's iTunes) on the British label B&W X-Talk. More recently, Andrew has performed and recorded with local funk/dance band "The Free Association," and continues to play the role of musical director and drummer in his own band "Weird Harold." Andrew currently plays drums for "Jazz Ontology," "The Ganbare Spirits Ensemble", and the "Caribbean Jazz Q-tet." Andrew is one of the original owners of Watermelon Music in Davis, CA, where he teaches drums lessons and gives clinics.

Keith Cline ....Saxophones, Percussion

Right Handed, Sagittarius, Drinks: Jack & Coke "Or whatever is in my hand at the time”.