Bass Guitar: The former bassist of the Mo Better Blues Band, Bobby began playing the bass at nine years old. Bobby has performed with The Temptations, Tommy Castro Band and Earl Good Rockin Brown including a tour of the Orient and Far East with Blaze which opened for KC and the Sunshine Band and the Barkays.
Bob's style of bass playing reminds one of the bumpin bass sound of Tower of Power bassist Rocco Prestia.

Greg Barker e-mail Greg ----------
Guitar & Vocals: A Bay Area native, Greg started playing guitar at age 8, a gift from his parents and a diversion from his interest in drums. His early influences were B.B. King, Eric Clapton, and other guitarists from the 50's and 60's music scenes. Greg got the bug for traveling and playing music venues as a teen when he competed in his first music festival in Denver Colorado in 1967, and then joining the Bay Area traveling band "Youth of America", sharing stages with stars like Bob Hope, Andy Williams, Raquel Welch, and many others. He moved to the Central California Valley and played with several bands and has kept his influences evident in his playing style, his favorites are of course two legendary Bay Area bands, Tower of Power from his hometown of Oakland, and the Doobie Brothers from San Jose. His lifelong love and appreciation for jazz, funk, rock, and blues greatly influences his musicianship as it has done in the past, having shared stages with prominent artists such as Tommy Castro, Elvin Bishop, Canned Heat, and other Bay Area acts.

Cortez Flores e-mail Cortez
Drums: Born and raised from the Central Valley. Cortez has been playing percussion for over 42 years. Inspired by his father he started playing the Timbales and Congas. Along with playing multiple instruments he was recognized early on and was invited to play with many local bands at a young age. His first professional gig was with Wolfman Jack Review at age 16. Since then he has progressed his musical career playing many different genres and bands from Latin, Jazz, Blues, Funk, Rock Country and Zydeco. In addition, to touring multiple states, he had the honor of playing and sharing the stage with Lydia Pense & Cold Blood, Roger Smith & Tower of Power, Freddy Ravel of Earth Wind & Fire and Santana, Coeneilus Bumpus of the Doobie Brother, Gloria Scott, Bobby McFarren, Sister Monica, Eddy Money, Tommy Castro, Little Charlie & the Night Cats, Brenton Wood and Candyman. From the Legends of Latin Rock to Latin Jazz such as, Tierra, Malo, El Chicano, Sapo, Armando Peraza, Escovedo Family, Charlie Palmeri. He still plays for bands all around California playing different styles of music...... Now Bump City

Glenn Boutte' e-mail Boutte
Keyboards & Vocals: Born and raised in Fresno, Glenn originally learned to play piano from his mom, Velda. After graduating from CSU, Fresno, he relocated to Sacramento, where he recently completed a 28 year career working for the State of California. Glenn has always had a tremendous appreciation and passion for music and is excited to now have the opportunity to devote more time to playing and writing music. Glenn is the newest member of the Bump City Band, having joined the group in January 2012. In addition to Bump City, he also performs with the local R&B band, Groove Elements. Glenn sees music as a gift from God that should be shared and enjoyed by all.

Billy Sims e-mail Billy

Saxophone & Vocals: Billy is the founder and leader of ReUnion. Billy has toured and performed with numerous bands throughout Northern California and the Bay Area (Sound Factory, Stroke,Too Smooth, Retro Groove, Cartel, Marvin Zeller) and shared the stage with The Temptations, Stylistics and Mic Gillette. Billy is a former member of the Highway 61 Blues Band, which performed at the Monterey Blues Festival in 2006. Billy can be heard on Highway 61 Blues Band CD which is available on iTunes

Matt Martinez e-mail Matt

Brass & Vocals: Born and raised in the Central Valley of California, Matt has been playing the trumpet for over 40 years. Matt started his musical journey at the age of 9 playing in his elementary school band, his junior his high school and his high school marching and jazz band. At the age of 16, Matt auditioned and was chosen to play for the St. Linus Drum and Bugle Corp which toured four states in three months. Matt became a professional musician playing in his first band at the age of 17. Matt's first band was known as Fat City. Fat City was from the Central Valley and competed in many Battle of the Bands, one of which landed the group the opportunity to open for Van Morrison. Matt has shared the stage with many known artist. "I just love playing he says" Although Matt works a 40 hour plus week he continues to play his trumpet as much as he can and has been fortunate to still play and record with various artist such as Mic Gillette, Skip Mesquite, Marc Russo and Lenny Williams, all former members of Tower of Power. The list also includes, Jon Smith (Edgar Winters White Trash), Johnny Hernandez (Tierra), Stevie Keys Roseman and Ross Valory (Journey). Matt has also been awarded Blues Trumpet Player of the Year 2007 West Coast Blues Hall of Fame. Bay Area Blues Society Matt believes you never stop learning and continues to learn from his mentor, Mic Gillette of Tower of Power.

Christopher J. Tootle e-mail Chris --------

Brass & Vocals: Christopher J. Tootle was born and raised in Sacramento, CA. Chris holds Bachelor of Music Degrees in Trumpet Performance and Music Education from CSU, Sacramento and a One-Year Diploma in Music Pedagogy from the Franz Liszt Academy of Music – Zoltán Kodály Pedagogical Institute of Music in Hungary. He has performed and recorded with Tower of Power's original lead trumpet & trombonist, Mic Gillette, who recommended Chris to Bump City. Chris’s commitment to his students and love of performing are only surpassed by his dedication to his wife Szonja and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jackson HS Advanced Band Video Clip

Paul Walker e-mail Paul

Saxophone & Vocals: Paul learned to play accordion at age 6. From accordion to clarinet , to tenor saxophone, Paul has developed a tremendous enthusiasm for funky jazzy music and has found a real niche playing the Baritone Sax, which gives him more freedom of expression. A former member of the Soul Reason Band, Paul also plays blues with another popular local band called Highway 61. "ReUnion has given me an opportunity to play a lot of horn driven funk which I have a special passion for!" Paul is a very expressive musician indeed.

Ken Champaign e-mail Ken

Sound Engineer: Ken has been involved with professional sound reinforcement since 1976 when he co-founded "Champain Sound" in san Jose. California with his brother Ted. Ken has worked with over 250 different recording artists and engineered over 3000 live concerts. Ken's genre of artists include Tower Of Power, War, Gun's N Roses, Garth Brooks, The Tubes, The Marshall Tucker Band and SNAIL to name a few. Ken and his wife Pam of 33 years live in Waterford Ca. Ken is also the lead sound engineer for the Community Baptist Church in Waterford, Ca.

Steve Seabock

Sound Engineer: Bio coming

Sound Engineer: James has worked in the Music Industry as a Concert Sound Engineer for several sound companies. He has had the pleasure of working with Dave Matthews, My Chemical Romance, Tower of Power, Earth Wind and Fire, Tony Bennett just to name a few. James really loves his job ( its not really a job! ) My kids are all grown-up and now I watch them raise their kids/my grandchildren and love every minute around them. These are my major activities besides other b.s.

 

Tico Padayhag e-mail Tico ------------- SUB PLAYER

Guitar & Vocals: Tico has been playing guitar for over 40 years and became interested in playing the guitar in high school. After serving in the military, Tico became a serious guitar player and made friends with several local guitarists and started learning cool guitar licks and chord phrases and was later convinced into auditioning with the Mystic Majestics, playing guitar and doing vocals. Tico is influenced by the likes of B.B. and Albert King, Jose Feliciano, Carlos Santana,Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Earl Klugh, Jeff Golub and Eric Clapton.

- Mike Scott ----------- SUB PLAYER

Brass & Vocals: Mike comes to us as our number 1 sub on Trumpet. Mike has his own band The Cartel Band, and when he not to busy and we need him he there for us. What a guy and very talented musician, we are very lucky to know him. http://thecartelband.com/

Dave Johnson ----------- SUB PLAYER

Brass & Vocals: With over thirty-five years experience as a professional musician and educator, Dave Johnson keeps in high demand as a freelance trumpeter in the greater Sacramento area. He currently performs regularly with Sister Swing, Creole Jazz Kings, The Rhythm Vandals, Dean-0-Holics, Harley White Jr. Orchestra, Frankie Soul and No Control Band, Gordon Groft, J Harrison B, George Bruno Big Band, High Class Brass Big Band, and his own group. Elite Swing. Mr. Johnson has held former trumpet chairs for The Nibblers, Wooden Nickel Jass Band, Bill Rase Big Band, Elk Grove First Baptist Church, The Fred Morgan Big Band, The Horn Dawgs horn section. The Mike Torres Band, The Coasters,and The Drifters while touring North America.

Mr. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Trumpet Performance from California State University, Sacramento and is currently teaching private music lessons on woodwinds and brass. In addition, he has taught band in the Elk Grove area and was Director of Youth Bands for the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society for the past twelve years. Mr. Johnson also works as a freelance composer, arranger, clinician, and recording artist.

Some of Dave Johnson's recording credits include; The San Francisco Forty Niners professional football team, Mick Martin and the Blues Rockers, Gordon Groft, Sister Swing, Creole Jazz Kings, and the Wooden Nickel Jass Band, to name a few. http://davejohnsonmusic.com

Rick Mano e-mail Rick --------------ALUMNI MEMBER

Drums: A graduate of the University of The Pacific, Rick holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music ED and has toured all over the world with different bands and plays all styles of music. Rick started playing drums at the age of 6, he played his first gig at the age of 7, Rick started marching in drum corps at the age of eight he marched untill he was to old to play with them. Rick started playing in band all through school, there were many local bands to name a few Baby Brother Band, Frisco Bay, Los Vampiros, Latin Magic, Keel and Sullivan. Rick went on to college and had a chance to play on the USO tour, he went twice. Back home he was working with and sharing stages with many bands like Pleasure, Side Effects, Sun Ra, Cold Blood, Crown Heights Affair, Kool and the Gang, Whispers, 4 Tops, Malibus, Boz Scaggs, Richard Bean,Bar-Kays, The United We Funk Allstars, Gerald Alston,Tina Marie, Shanice, Kenny Neal. Now with Reunion and Bump City Rick says (what more can I ask for great friends and music).

Dan Maas e-mail Dan --------- ALUMNI MEMBER

Brass & Vocals: A California native, Dan played his first Sock Hop in 1965 and made his first studio recording in 1967. A musician, composer and arranger, he has written performed, and recorded with many of todays jazz greats including Ernie Watts, Bobby McFarrin, Ed Shaunessy, Richie Cole, james Moody, Arturo Sandoval, Bobby Shew, Bill Watrous, Mic Gillette, Cornelius Bumpus, Dave Garibaldi, Les Benedict, Don Sheldon, Hubert Laws, and Pat Boone. Dan has also performed with The Tempatations with Dennis Edwards, Cold Blood, The White Album Ensemble featuring members of the Doobie Brothers and Tower of Power, Stroke, Capitol Records, Wine Country Music Studios, Universal Studios and Rick Duncans Nacnud Recordings. Dan is also a member of the popular Bay Area group The Moonlight Dance Band with whop has arranged and recorded two CDs. the Fabulous HWY 99 Band, and his own jazz group the Dan Maas Quintet. Dans passion remains playing funk, thats F-U-N with a big old K on the end! Dan has spent the last 37 years as a music educator teaching in public schools as well as with UC Berkeley, University of the Pacific, Cal State Stanislaus and Modesto Community College. Dan is in demand as a clinician, arranger and is recognized as a jazz educator with international affiliations.

Steve Mason e-mail Steve ---------- ALUMNI MEMBER

KeyBoards: Steve, (Nicknamed "Mase") originally from the Bay Area, has been a professional keyboardist for over 35 years with extensive recording, composing, and arranging experience. While musically involved since the 3rd grade, he began his professional career while attending Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, playing in local area bands. Then from 1976 to 1982 he played with Stockton based R & B recording artists "9th Creation", touring internationally, as well as nationally, and recording 3 albums with the group. He has since performed and recorded with many other Northern California groups, including Sacramento's smooth jazz recording artists Analysis, while performing with his own jazz group The Steve Mason Jazz Ensemble. His more recent projects include performing and recording a CD with Tower of Power's own Mic Gillette Band. "It's been an absolute thrill and honor playing with such a world renowned horn player" Steve says. Steve "Mase" is a well sought after recording and performing keyboardist playing everything from Jazz to R&B to Funk to Rock and even some Country music. His style of playing has been influenced by the likes of Ray Charles, Ramsey Lewis, Jimmy Smith, Dave Grusin, and Tower of Power's Chester Thompson. He is also currently performing with Mic Gillette inspired ReUnion Band and Bump City (T.O.P tribute band) where he hopes to add the desired spark to the group's sound making the ReUnion and the Mic Gillette Band a musical experience like no other. A devoted family man and business owner Steve says "I'm so thankful that God has granted me a supportive wife and family that allow me to pursue my greatest passion...music".