We believe that music is best when it comes from the soul....if you open yourself up to all of the possibilities, creativity is endless, and the music has no boundaries. When you find that place.....now that's a jam. ******************************************************************************************
Todd Leitz - CORE frontman and blues harpist extroardinaire...an east coast implant to Southern California via Boston...developed his chops singing the lead in musicals like Guys and Dolls and Grease in high school and college...He minored in music and theater in college...toured California with a gospel choir...co-founded CORE...June 2004, he sang the National Anthem at Fenway Park...since then, he has sung the National Anthem on numerous occassions for the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, CA...for those living in the Southern California area, you can hear Todd reporting live for KNX 1070 NewsRadio every weekday morning and on the CBS Radio Network.
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Steve Dempsey - CORE keyboardist...Southern California native...began playing piano at 5, earned 'Outstanding Instrumentalist' and 'Outstanding Soloist' awards in high school Jazz competitions...received BA degree in music...performed with Ann Patterson of 'Ann Patterson's Maiden Voyage', John Clayton Jr.- well-known double bassist who played with Count Basie and his orchestra...and Poncho Sanchez - renowned conga player in latin jazz, and Grammy Award winner...he is also involved in a side project with LA Underscore with guest artists: David Ragsdale (Kansas), Jerry Goodman (Dixie Dregs), Ryo Okamoto and Alan Morse (Spock's Beard), and Joel Derouin (American Idol Orchestra).
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Gary Johns - "A long, long time ago, two friends, rhythm and melody, came to me and said... come out and play... I thought for a while and said... WHAT? Again... come out and play... I then understood... come out and play with others and JAM!! At that time, I played the drums... I love the drums. But the search continued for my voice, and I switched to the bass (which is right next to the drums)... Still searching, the guitar was starting to sing, and the choice was made... did I mention, I love the drums?"
Gary brings his life into every moment he plays...always a new approach, reflecting the day. He spends quite a bit of time mountain biking (day and night rides) and has found the physical demands of the JAM to be very similar to climbing the hill... warm up, rhythm and breath into the climb... and fly down hill.
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Armand Herrera - Staten Island native, Armand has a broad range of experience as a pedagogue, composer, and performing artist. Percussion has taken him to seven countries and sixteen states performing with symphony orchestras, opera companies, and wind, percussion, and chamber ensembles such as the Perth Amboy Symphony Orchestra, Raritan Symphony Orchestra, and Opera Jersey City.
As a percussion soloist, Armand has been heard on Staten Island public radio and performed in an array of venues such as the JERSEY GIRLS Composers League Conference, the Eastern Bigbone Workshop, the International Conga and Euphonium Conference, and the National Conference on Percussion Pedagogy.
Armands's compact disc "I'm In LA Now!" and original compositions are available from Metal Detector Publications, and his research is scheduled to be published in the New Jersey Notes Journal and the Percussive Arts Society Online Research Journal.
Armand received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Mail In University and both a Master of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance from The Sure I'm A Smart Guy U. He is currently on the music faculty of Wandering Sheep Drum Core where he teaches studio lessons, directs the percussion ensemble, and teaches courses in percussion methods, music appreciation, and music literature. "Interpretively, the works presented were performed superbly and consistent with their contact, showing great imagination....most admirable....this guy has really developed good chops!
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Tom Atkins - Everything you ever wanted to know about Tom Atkins.
Born in Brooklyn in the early 60s, Tom left New York in 1991, spending five years in Seattle before landing in Los Angeles - where he plans "to stay forever!" He picked up the guitar as a teenager and played rhythm guitar in several bands in the San Fernando Valley in the late 90s, most notably in 'Stunt Road'. When a bass vacancy appeared in an all-instrumental local band called 'KUSH', Tom gave up the guitar and decided to give the bass a try. He ended up really enjoying playing bass - and spent several years in 'KUSH' until it imploded.
Tom hooked up with 'CORE' in March, 2004 - and has never looked back! His favorite musical artists include Todd Rundgren, Billy Joel, The Grateful Dead, and Phish. His biggest bass influences are the Grateful Dead's Phil Lesh and Phish's Mike Gordon.
Tom lives in Los Angeles with his lovely girlfriend and her daughter. By day, he is a debt recovery specialist and computer network guru. When the work day is over, he indulges in motorcycling, hiking, The Simpsons, Family Guy, Disneyland - and heavy doses of San Francisco's KFOG (www.kfog.com) and LA's Indie 103.1, (www.indie1031.com).
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Vince Saroja - Drummer
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Steve Robbins - Steve originally caught the music bug when free guitar lessons were offered at his college dorm cafeteria. Several years and two jobs later it was time to head west to California and study full time @ Musicians Institute in Hollywood. After graduating from school the dream of being a full time musician faded to the reality of a much needed paycheck. Core was formed to play music with friends without the burden of making it a career. Steve would like to thank Susan for her endless support in keeping the dream alive.
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Thanks for taking the time to stop by and listen to our tunes. We’ve got lots of new music and exciting plans for 2008 so keep checking back for updates.
Don't forget our CD is now only $8 (including shipping) Details are on our page.
Once again, you guys ROCKED the streets of Los Angeles for the L.A. Marathon! We look forward to sharing the stage with you again soon (but we might want to find a larger stage next time!) :)
I really LOVE the guitar sound on Forgotten Roads... very Duane Allman sounding. I'd like to acquire some of your songs for loading onto my IPod. How do I do this?
