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THE BAND
Paul Rodriguez - Guitar, Vocals
Paul started playing guitar at the age of 10 and started singing at the age of 12. He has diverse influences like Al Jarreau, Tower of Power, Cold Blood, Jimi Hendrix, Don Ellis, Lee Ritenour and more.
His band out of high school was signed with Capitol Records for two years. That band went on to open for various artists like Kenny Rogers, Anne Murray, and Dobie Gray.
Paul works as a musician and songwriter full-time.
Michael Merrill - Bassist
Michael began his musical journey the day his mother bought him an electric bass and amp for his 13th birthday. Primarily self-taught, Michael played in rock bands through junior high school and high school.
He started his music studies at Montgomery College in Maryland studying jazz and music theory. After that attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, continuing his jazz studies and electric bass.
Michael has played professionally in original and cover bands, playing in Boston area clubs and in wedding bands entertaining guests throughout New England. He currently splits his musical energies between playing electric bass with Polarized Guru and playing mandolin with the Jamateurs.
John MacNeill - Soprano & Tenor Saxes
John has been organizing sound since the age of 10, focusing on sax late in high school. While studying engineering, he had the opportunity to perform in Russia, Romania, Czech Republic, Austria and Egypt (playing a concert with the Sphinx as a backdrop!).
He is also a founding member of Incandescent Sky, an atmospheric progressive rock band, playing keyboards and engineering four albums. Influences are many: John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, King Crimson, Genesis, and Frank Zappa, to name a few.
Todd Rhodes - Drums
Todd started snare drum lessons in the fourth grade. Not soon after, he was blown away while riding his bike past a house that was blasting the band Chicago out the window. He discovered progressive and atmospheric rock, followed by Heavy Weather and Bitches Brew in his high school years.
At the urging of his father, he pursued a career in engineering rather than music. His musical hobbyist ambitions were shelved when his first child was born more than 25 years ago. All who know him would agree that he is now making up for lost time. He currently enjoys Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian infused jazz.
Bob Ponte - Keyboards
Bob attended The New England Conservatory of Music in the early 70’s where he studied primarily Classical Piano and Music Education.
He joined the faculty of the Cambridge Rindge & Latin School in 1976 where he taught Concert Band, Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble/Improvisation and Piano Class until his retirement in 2012.
Along the way he discovered Jazz and made that his primary focus ever since.
Performing with a variety of Fusion, Mainstream Jazz, and Gypsy Jazz groups over the years, Bob has performed at many notable Boston/Cambridge Jazz venues, including Ryles, The Regattabar, Night Stage, and on the Esplanade. Over the years Bob and his students have played workshops for/with Wynton Marsalis, Stan Getz, Benny Golson, Eddie Palmieri, John Medeski and numerous local artists.
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