Adam Schuman August 27, 2022
The San Francisco Bay Area has always been a hotbed of musical talent, yet there are many fantastic musicians who sometimes fly beneath the radar. We believe the below-mentioned people are all "household-name-quality" talent, though they may be behind-the-scenes (producers and engineers), side-persons or perhaps plying their trade in less commercial musical niches. In any event, these folks are all more than worthy of a shout-out! Following is our salute to our extensive local musical talent that deserves greater recognition. Good job, everyone!
Jim is a multi-instrumentalist that writes, produces, and engineers great music. He’s collaborated/recorded/ performed,with the likes of Macy Gray, Foster the People, Galactic, Mike Patton, and many more. He’s known for not only working with well established artists , but he willingly takes on “up and coming” artists – imparting years of wisdom, love, and compassion that is contagious- and it manifests in every musical endeavor he touches.
Mark is a fantastic guitar player known for his unique ability to execute guitar parts ranging from heavy riffs to delay soaked soundscapes. Hailing from the south bay, Mark started his music career with the band Dredg (Interscope) and played several music festivals nationally and internationally. Mark is currently playing in the band Black Map, be sure to follow them online and check them out live. You won’t be disappointed.
Stone Foxes are a great local rock band hailing from SF. They were named one of Live 105’s top 5 bands in 2011, and have continued to produce great music followed by great performances. They’ve played such festivals as Mountain Jam Festival, Kaaboo Festival, and Bottlerock to name a few. Their sound is a wonderful blend of Classic Rock, Blues, and Americana. Check them Out!
Andrew St. James claims he has been touring since he was in utero. After listening to his music- we believe it. By age 11 he was singing in the San Francisco Opera. He recorded his first album with a handheld recorder when he was 16. He continues to surprise and inspire people with his songs about love, life, and politics. His song “Makin It Great Again” appeared on David Egger’s controversial 2016 election playlist, “30 days, 30 songs”. Check out Liberation Music.! For Boring People- released on Tricycle Records
Chris Dugan is a grammy winning Engineer/Producer/Drummer who is best known for his work with Green Day. His story begins when he and his partner, Willie Samuels started Nu-Tone studio in Pittsburg CA. After producing demos with Green Day, they quickly recruited him to do video/audio both at home and on tour. His discography includes Green Day, U2, Alanis Morrisette, Norah Jones, and many others.
Brad Brooks has been releasing solo records since the year 2000. His music has drawn comparisons to such artists as Wilco, Brian Wilson, Queen, and Elvis Costello. Not only wielding great music, he wields an amazing comeback story. In 2012, Brad’s dentist discovered a lump in his throat that was cancerous. After the scare of losing his voice (and possibly his life)- Brad emerged full swing with his album, “God Save the City”- which drew attention from the likes of Bob Ezrin, but Wayne Kramer of MC5- who is now fronted by none other than Brad Brooks. He is currently touring and savoring every minute of his life
Jim is a bay area native who started playing in bands when he joined the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra at the age of 12. After college, he joined the band Papa’s Culture – and after 4 years began playing with Sheryl Crow, in which he played several tours, tv shows, and Grammy winning recordings. His resume also includes playing with Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Ben Folds, Prince, Dixie Chicks, and he is a now a member of The Counting Crows.
Forrest Day is a wonderfully cohesive blend of Rock, Hip-Hop, Reggae, and implements the spontaneity Jazz. He’s played some of the biggest indy clubs in San Francisco, and has a rabid following- for good reason. His albums are fantastic- but the live shows are even more impressive. His songs are catchy and will often take listeners on a intense yet unpredictable ride. The icing on the cake? He plays a mean sax.
Mary Fettig was born in San Francisco, and raised in the suburb of Concord. After 2 years at UCLA, Mary joined the Stan Kenton Orchestra as the first woman to play in the band. From there, she has made her way in the music business as a world renown performer, teacher, and clinician. In addition to Stan Kenton, she has toured with Flora Purim and Airto, Marian McPartland, Tito Puente, Toninho Horta, Joe Henderson and numerous short tours with celebrity acts. She has performed at many jazz festivals, including Concord, San Francisco, Monterey, Playboy, Hollywood Bowl, Mt. Hood, Chicago, Detroit, Mobile, world’s first Women’s Jazz Festival in Kansas City, Buffalo, Montreux, and North Sea.
Mike Silverman, known as That 1 Guy, is what his name suggests: just one guy. His various instruments thrown onstage include a contraption of pipes, strings and effects pedals. Live performances are both strange and endearing, while being incredibly entertaining. The mystery of how Silverman creates the sounds is all part of the allure, he has said before. In another life, he feels like he would have been a magician, and that’s just what he’s doing for the audience—putting on a magic show. That 1 Guy tours relentlessly, and is a regular at festivals around the world.
Larry De La Cruz is an amazing multi-instrumentalist from Berekely who brings brilliant life to any set of ears willing to listen. He a master of the saxophone, clarinet, and flute- and he has the resume to prove it. Larry has played with the likes of The Four Tops, The Temptations, Steve Smith (Journey), The San Diego Symphony, The Classical Philharmonic, and recently performed in the production “Ain’t Too Proud”, which went to Broadway after premiering at the Berekely Rep. He has done several arrangements for big band, saxophone quartets, commercial jingles, pop music programs, and school bands. He can (and does) play nearly any style of music heard on the radio
Lia Rose has been involved in the San Francisco music scene in various talented indy bands, including Minipop and Built for the Sea. Although Lia plays guitar and bass, her vocal and songwriting prowess make her a truly unique artist. Her voice is both powerful and soothing, and her meaningful songs circle around love, relationships, and social justice- the latter got her signed to Tom Morello and Ryan Harvey’s record label, Firebrand Records. Lia’s music has been featured in TV and Film… you’ll find her songs in “The Sinner”, “Game of Silence”, “The Royals”, “How to Get Away with Murder”, and many more.
Whether he is appearing on the Music Row Country Breakout Chart or writing alongside some of the industry’s top songwriters and producers, Nick Tyrrel’s list of achievements in music never stops growing. His recent songs were a collaboration between Clay Mills (Darius Rucker, Diamond Rio), and Mike Krompass (Meghan Trainor, Smashmouth, Steven Tyler) – creating songs that are a cross between new country and alternative rock. Recently he’s opened up for the likes of Cole Swindell, Reo Speedwagon, Styx, and recently performed at the Santa Rosa Country Summer Music Festival.
Scott Thompson is an accomplished bassist and music educator who has performed, led workshops, and recorded with many world-class musicians including: Fantastic Negrito, E-40, Chico Pinheiro, Natalie Cressman Band, Romero Lubambo, Too $hort, The Souls of Mischief, Ghostface Killah, Marcos Silva Group, Quarteto Jacaré, and Dick Hindman Trio. Scott has toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Belgium, Finland, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Brazil. He is currently a band member with Fantastic Negrito, and will be touring with the band in the U.S. and Europe this upcoming Summer 2022.
David Victor founded the band VELOCITY in 1996 and recorded and produced the album IMPACT. Receiving a surprising amount of radio airplay, VELOCITY’s IMPACT and the follow-up album ACTIVATOR sold briskly in the U.S., Europe and Japan. All told, David produced five albums of original music. In 2010, David joined the platinum band BOSTON, performing on two North American tours in 2012 and 2014, and at the Boston Strong marathon bombing benefit in 2013 at Boston Garden. David also sang lead on a #1 charting BOSTON single in 2014. In 2019, David founded Harmony & Healing, a music charity that does live streaming musical performances for hospital patients and their families.
Internationally renowned guitarist/composer/recording artist Mimi Fox has been named a winner in 6 consecutive Downbeat Magazine international critic’s polls and has been recognized by writers and colleagues alike as one of the most eloquent guitarists on today’s scene. Jazz Times hailed Mimi as “a blazing fret master who combines be-bop infused lines with an abundance of soul…spinning solos that unfurl with surprise twists like expertly tailored short stories. “ Mimi has performed/recorded with some of the music world’s most commanding players, including fellow guitarists Charlie Byrd, Stanley Jordan, and Charlie Hunter, Grammy-nominated saxophonists Branford Marsalis, David Sanchez, Houston Person, and the late Don Lanphere.
San Francisco’s Adam Yas has served as songwriter and frontman in a variety of outfits throughout his career. Having worked with some titans of innovation (Wes Borland, Mark Engles, Danny Lohner) his own sound isn’t easily definable. With his first solo effort, the dark and dreamy “Gender Of The Holy Spirit” Adam collaborated with multi instrumentalist producer Kayhan Golkar. Together they’ve unearthed a synth laden collection of open hearted hymns, draped by a glittery combination of new wave, twang and strings
Cameron started playing guitar when he was in his early 20s and was a founding member of Phoenix Ash. Being the most prolific American Japanese Rock bands, Phoenix Ash was signed to a Japanese label and had the honor of working with Toida, producer for X-Japan. Cameron has worked alongside Moritomo Arahshi (T-Bolan) and members of GLAY and Hide as well as touring with popular Japanese acts such as Daizy Stripper and FEST VAINQUEUR. Phoenix Ash is also well known for their famous You-Tube covers of popular Japanese songs as well as having music showcased in TV and Movies.
Adam began playing guitar in 1992, and has been studying music ever since. As a professional musician, he specializes in performing Rock, Blues, Jazz, Country, Folk, and Funk styles. Not only has he participated in countless session recordings for television commercials for companies like Microsoft, Lincoln-Mercury, T-Mobile, and Salesforce, but he has also co-written and performed several songs used for television programs and movies. Adam has performed at Live 105’s BFD at Shorline Ampitheater, Not So Silent Night at the Bill Grahm Civic Center, and Napa’s Bottle Rock Music Festival. He has performed in bands that have supported/opened for acts such as The Killers, Modest Mouse, Filter, The Shins, Silversun Pickups, Reo Speedwagon, Alien Ant Farm, Dredg and have toured nationally and internationally.
Chris’ musical career began as the bassist for the early ‘90s pop rock band: Jellyfish (Virgin/ Charisma). While in Jellyfish, Chris made videos for MTV, and played hundreds of shows across the United States and Europe. Highlights included touring with The Black Crowes, opening for INXS at Wembley Stadium, performing nightly on stage with his brother Roger Joseph Manning Jr. (Beck, Air, Johnny Cash, Blink 182). When Chris left Jellyfish, he signed on as an assistant engineer at the prestigious Plant Studios in Sausalito, Ca. During that time, he worked under producers such as Steve Lillywhite, Bob Rock and Jerry Harrison. Chris engineered on “Supernatural”, the 26 multi-platinum, 8 grammy award winning album by Carlos Santana. He also worked on records for Metallica, Third Eye Blind, Guster, Joe Satriani and others.
Cadogan began learning the guitar at age 12 and began playing in bands shortly after. Cadogan was a student of guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani, and co-founded Third Eye Blind with Stephen Jenkins in 1993. His guitar arrangements in Third Eye Blind’s debut album and sophomore album “Blue” were the admiration of many guitarists and music fans around the world. Cadogan won two California Music Awards for best songwriter along with bandmate Jenkins and was nominated three years in a row as best guitarist in California along with Kirk Hammett from Metallica and Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine. After splitting with Stephen Jenkins, Kevin played in SF based band “Bully”, he released albums as a solo artist. His interesting tunings and great tone set him apart from other rock guitar players.
Since September 18, 1970 (the day his idol Jimi Hendrix passed away), Satriani has dedicated himself to the mastery of the guitar. Originally from New York, Satriani moved to San Francisco and played guitar in a popular new wave band, The Squares, and briefly joined The Greg Kihn Band before the release of “Not Of This Earth”. Not only is Joe and amazing guitar player, he also instructed several incredible guitar players, including Steve Vai, Metallica’s Kirk Hammett, Testament’s Alex Skolnick, and Third Eye Blind’s Kevin Cadogen. As a solo artist, he’s received 15 Grammy nominations have been for songs such as “Always With Me, Always With You,” “The Crush Of Love,” and “Summer Song,” as well as full albums like “Surfing With The Alien”, “The Extremist” and “Super Colossal”.
Originally from Rhode Island, Uriah cut most of his musical chops in the Oakland Bay Area – where he resides today. Many recognize him as the former bassist of the legendary rock group Whitesnake, but his accomplishments go much further- into the realms of Session & Live bass work and Musical direction. He’s worked & traveled with some of the most respected musicians in the world, with names like Christina Aguilera, The Family Stone, Ledisi, Liv Warfield, Fantastic Negrito, Prince, CeeLo Green, Starship, Too $hort, The Coup, Steve Stevens, Marvel Comics, Points North and more. He is an extremely versatile player, which makes it no surprise that he is in high demand for session work.
John is an accomplished music industry veteran with a record of building successful entertainment businesses. John founded Studio 880, one of California’s largest recording facilities. He hosted several grammy winning recording artists such as Green Day, The Killers, Keith Urban, The Black Keys and many more. John was Director Audio Production and Mix Engineer for Wal-Mart’s original performance series called Soundcheck. He directly worked with and mixed such artists as Beyonce’, Faith Hill, Drake, Brad Paisley, Katy Perry, Ariana Grande and many other prominent recording artists. John currently owns an artist management/development company and is currently developing an enterprise software company for the music industry. John currently enjoys teaching an evening online Music Business diploma course through Nashville’s Dark Horse Institute. John enjoys playing music, listening to podcasts and spending time with his future wife Carolyn.
Dan Vickrey, who is a Danville native, began playing music at the age 11. His influences included Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, and countless gems found in his family’s record collection. While attending UCLA, Dan began playing several clubs and coffee shops in Los Angeles, where he played his compositions and honed his music skills. After graduating college, he retuned to the Bay Area and joined the Counting Crows after the release of “August and Everything After”- and has remained their guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter ever since. When not on the road, he performs in “Tender Mercies” with other Counting Crows members
