F R O N T P O R C H S T U D I O S
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In early 2008, fifth generation winemaker Karl D. Wente (of Wente Vineyards, California's oldest continuously family owned and operated winery) turned his famed weekly front porch jam sessions into a formal band, "The Front Porch". Karl is invited every year to the prestigious SXSW Music and Film Festival, where he represents The Front Porch. |
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Violinist/guitarist Jim Hurley has performed and recorded with Queen Ida's Grammy-winning Bon Temps Zydeco Band, Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, Dan Hicks, Al Stewart, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (with Jon Anderson from Yes), Josh Groban, Smokey Robinson, Stanley Jordan, Kenneth Nash, the Waybacks, Tempest, Ancient Future, and many other artists and ensembles. His TV credits include appearances on Saturday Night Live, and on CNN's Worldbeat and Showbiz Today. He has played at the New Orleans and Monterey jazz festivals, and for audiences in 15 countries. Jim teaches violin, guitar and more at his Open Strings Music Studio, in Livermore. |
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As a child, Lisa-Marie imitated cartoon characters, and when "The Little Mermaid" came out, Lisa imitated the little mermaid's singing. Upon hearing this, her parents promptly signed her up for a talent show. This astoundingly talented belter did theater and musicals every year for five years. Lisa then started playing guitar and writing songs at the age of 19. A finalist for the Music City Madness contest on CMT for her song "How Do You Love Me", Lisa just finished recording four songs with percussionist extraordinaire Kenneth Nash (see below). |
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An award-winning filmmaker with a Ph. D. in electrical engineering from Stanford, Ray considers music his strongest suit. His most recent interests being jazz piano and singing, he retired in 2007 from classical piano concertizing, after having won many piano competitions and being invited to perform as soloist with symphony orchestra 10 times starting at age 10. The Oakland Tribune wrote in reference to his performance of Rachmaninoff's 3rd Piano Concerto, "Wang received the ... most vociferous ovation ever." |
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After graduating from art school, Suzanna worked with The Mustangs who were nominated by California Country Music Association as "Vocal Group of the Year". Classically trained, she was their lead singer/songwriter as they played the US and Europe, including The Powerhaus (London), Roskilde Festival (Denmark), and International Country Music Festival (Zurich). Her first solo CD effort received Music Row's DISCovery Award and great reviews, drawing comparisons to Emmylou Harris and Patty Griffin. Recent performances include WPLN's Songwriter Sessions, NPR's Nashville Folk Festival radio program, Channel 5's "Words and Music" program, Tin Pan South, and performances for Nashville Independent Music network. A member of the Legislative committee for Nashville Songwriters Association, Suzanna visited Washington, DC on behalf of writers' issues and performed May 22, 2007 for the US House of Representatives and the US Senate. |
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Breaking out into a superbly syncopated realm all his own, this accomplished musician, composer, producer, arranger and author is building bridges of sound with compositions that unite numerous forms and idioms. Kenneth has performed or recorded on hundreds of records with such artists as Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie, Weather Report, B.B.King, Bobby McFerrin, John Lee Hooker, Woody Herman, among others. Kenneth has also written and performed music for films, television and theatre including NBC Special Events, Francis Ford Coppola's Black Stallion, and many radio & TV commercials. |
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Livermore grown talent, Jon is best known for fronting the rock group Normal Like You as its singer and songwriter. At the age of 23, Jon has traveled on two independent U.S. tours, completed three records with Normal Like You, and one of his own, the 2008 solo debut, "Of Shape & Sound". He has studied with the likes of Jim Hurley, Bernie Burke, and Ron Anderson. He can be seen performing with Normal Like You, Of Shape & Sound, The Neil Diamonds, and The Front Porch. |
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Dusty has been playing bass since the age of 14. In high school, he took lessons from Jim Hurley, opening the door to jazz. He attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo for Electrical Engineering, and, while in college, performed with multiple bands, including the Cal Poly Jazz Band. A return to Livermore to work at the National Ignition Facility brought him to the front porch at Karl Wente's house. In addition to playing with The Front Porch, Dusty can be seen around the bay area with Of Shape & Sound, Rodney Brillante and the Tuesday Nights, and The Neil Diamonds. |
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Schooled in the East Bay funk of the 70's, Joe flirted with the idea of being a full-time drummer during the 90's, spending most of his time within the Bay Area blues scene. Joe recently opened "The Garage Band Academy," a school for musicians of all ages to learn and perform the music they love. When not on The Front Porch, you can see and hear Joe with Ink, The Brothers Goldman, The Webber Brothers Band, and Shine-ola. |
 (cello, double bass, bass guitar) |
 (ukelele, voice, guitar, harmonica, composition) |
 (voice, guitar) |
Affiliates of The Front Porch
In Rare Form | Brothers Lekas | Colin Hurley
© 2008 Portico Arts Inc.
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited