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Reed Fromer & Friends is one of the Bay Area's most dynamic and enjoyable R&B bands, featuring top-level musicians and powerful vocals. The group's repertoire consists of exciting, danceable R&B/funk material and beautiful, moving rock and soul ballads. Material is drawn from such dependable sources as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, The Isley Brothers, Van Morrison, B.B. King, The Doobies, Chaka Kahn & Rufus, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Maxwell.
Reed Fromer (lead vocals, keyboards) is one of the strongest male vocalists in Northern California (and for awhile, one of the more familiar ones - he was the singer of the ever-popular "So nice, low-price store" jingle series for Lucky Markets). He is also an award-winning songwriter (with material covered by Gregg Allman, among others). He produces demos for other writers, composes music scores for PBS documentaries, works as an accompanist and director for gospel choirs, and is the bandleader for teen country artist Kristen McNamara. He has been a guest vocalist with the Persuasions and Bobby McFerrin, and a keyboardist for Peter Tork (of The Monkees). His soulful vocal style inspires comparisons with Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, James Ingram, and Maxwell.
Artie Wafer (bass, vocals) is one of the most skilled and powerful bassists in the Bay Area - not to mention the most spirited; audience members often comment that they've rarely seen a musician who seems to enjoy himself so much. Artie has recorded with Sylvester and with Robert Winter & Fall, toured extensively with Johnny "Guitar" Watson, and has backed Barry White in concert.
Tony Langford (drums) grew up in Detroit, and honed his skillful and tasteful chops backing some of Motown's biggest stars - Martha Reeves, The Spinners, Eddie Kendricks - while still in his teens. More recently, he has played for such local acts as Rosie Gaines and Curtis Olsen.
Ralph Nelson (lead guitar, vocals), in addition to being an outstanding guitarist, is a talented vocalist and bandleader who rocked Bay Area audiences for years with his own group. Live Wire.
Should your event require a specific additional component, several talented guest artists are available to expand the group. The list begins with percussionist (and frequent fifth member) Danny Galvin and crowd-pleasing "synth-sax" player Aaron Daniels. Also worked in at times are additional vocalists such as soulful & sassy Tammy Tambora, gritty, rock-solid Mz. Dee, and powerhouses Loralee Christensen and Terry Jay; versatile guitarists like Bobby Young (Zakiya Hooker, The Natural Four), Wilton Rabb (Prince, Larry Graham, Hammer), and Gail Mojo (Sly Stone, Larry Graham, Johnny Otis); and saxophonists such as Ken Graven and award-winning Sonny Fairly, any of whom can instantly and seamlessly incorporate their skills to enhance the performance.
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