some great friends that have helped make
the band sound so great these years include:
Brent Harding (original member)
Joey Ventittelli (original member)
Andrew Martinez (original member)
Henry Carvajal (original member)
David Bernson
Carl Sonny Leyland
Rip Masters
Frank Thompson
David Crozier
Russell Scott
Paulie Cerra
Steve Pelucca
Jason James
Dave "Cad" Kadison
Johnny Morgan
and brother Marco Fiume,
who will remain in our hearts and
forever be a part of the Combo.
Influences
Old and New -Johnny Otis, Roy Milton, Liggins bros., Tiny Bradshaw, Hank Ballard, T-Bone, Louis Jordan, Fats Domino, Smiley Lewis, Big Jay McNeely, Paul Gayten, Bullmoose Jackson, Wynonie, Roy Brown, Jimmy Witherspoon, Percy Mayfield, Little Walter, Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, Willie Dixon, BB King, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, Treniers, Little Willie John, Carl Perkins, the Killer, Elvis, Roomful Of Blues, Sugar Ray Norcia, Fab T-birds, Hollywood Fats, Big Rhythm Combo, Lynwood Slim, Little Charlie & the Nightcats, Paladins, Russell Scott and many more.
Jump, Blues, early R&B and Rock'n'Roll served up hot & swingin'.....
Mark Tortorici & the Hollywood Combo
The band is a good-time Rockin' Rhythm & Blues combo and has earned a reputation from the Blues, Roots, Swing, and retro-billy crowd as one of the best around. Quite simply, the Hollywood Combo is one of the top 1950s style R&B groups in the country. They play a mixture of covers and originals which run the gamut from post war jump blues to 50s Rock& Roll. They have played for years at all of L.A.s’ top venues- concerts, special events, hotels and casinos across the country, and music festivals worldwide. They have also backed up artists such as Big Jay McNeely, Roy Gaines, Speedo and the Cadillacs, Dale Hawkins, Roddy Jackson, Willie Headen(the Five Birds), James Harman, John Nemeth, Lynwood Slim, and Mike Sanchez, member of Bill Wyman’s (Rolling Stones) Rhythm Kings. Other performance highlights include the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender, the Green Bay Rockin’ 50’s fest, Ojai Bowlful of Blues, shared bills with Poncho Sanchez, Big Sandy, Royal Crown Revue, and Louis Prima sax man Sam Butera. The band has made several television appearances and also had their music featured in several TV, film, and stage productions. Fronted by Mark Tortorici on vocals and harmonica, "Torch" is a veteran of the Los Angeles blues, jazz, swing, and roots scenes and a soulful, engaging performer. The Hollywood Combo is a highly entertaining, high-energy band for dancers and music lovers alike.
Past and current bandmembers' affiliations read like a who's-who of the Blues, Roots,and RocknRoll scenes- Royal Crown Revue, Big Sandy& the Fly-Rite Boys, Deke Dickerson, James Harman, Rod Piazza, Hot Rod Lincoln, the Lucky Stars, Russell Scott andthe Red Hots, Lynwood Slim, Hank Ballard & the Midnighters, the Majestics, Forbidden Pigs, Hellbound Hayride, Janiva Magness, 2000 Lbs of Blues, Mike Ness, Social Distortion, Brian Setzer, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Englebert Humperdinck and even Ricky Martin...and the list goes on... needless to say, the band is always a combination of top-notch cats who know and love this music...!
ABOUT THE CD
Co-produced by
Jim Jedeikin (Royal Crown Revue)
and
Wally Hersom ( Big Sandy, etc)
the CD puts together an all-star cast of the best of the LA scene to create a solid and versatile Rhythm & Blues record.
Recorded LIVE to one track and engineered by Wally at
Joey's Place (fka Electro-Vox studios) in Hollywood.
He really gets that warm feel and sound of those records
we all love so much- we hope you dig it....
BUY IT at CD Baby
http://www.cdbaby.com/hollywoodcombo
CD personnel:
*Mark Tortorici- "Torch" -vocals, harmonicas *Frank Thompson- "Frankie"- Guitars *David Bernson- "Wolfie"- drums, vocals *Ron Dziubla- "Melenhead"- Tenor saxophone *Brent Harding- "Mooney"- bass *Jim Jedeikin- "Little J"- Tenor, Alto, Baritone *Corey Gemme- Trumpet
special guests
sax legend BIG JAY McNEELY
original Rock&Roll disc-jockey HUNTER HANCOCK
piano great CARL SONNY LEYLAND
vocal group THE LONELY BLUE BOYS
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I found a Chat Room for your myspace page that freaking rules! The smilies are hilarious. All the people I've come across while chatting are really cool.
you Mark, Chet Cannon from San Diego here, we're starting to work on the Big Show and I'm wondering if you have any interest in playing the 9th annual Spring Harp Fest Benefit on Saturday March 22, 2008? Visit our web site www.springharpfest.org to read about what we are trying to do out here. Thanks!
it's the music, Chet Spring Harp Fest Cofounder BluShouter@aol.com
Hi! thanks for the add and your compliments! No we have never been in the U.S. although our singer grew up in the San Francisco area... greetings from vienn/austria and keep up the good work
