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Grace has been singing for audiences (even if it was just her own family in the living room) since 1st grade. She performed in a competitive vocal jazz group and in musical theater productions throughout high school and college. Her favorite role was the White Witch from Narnia because it allowed her to express her inner Bee-otch. Grace has been performing in rock bands for the past 13 years and made a CD, "Endgame," with an original hard-rock band called FOIL in the late nineties. ESSEX was the one that stuck, though, and has been her musical home for over 6 years, making her the longest-standing member of the current group. Her claim to fame in the group is her ability to imitate the various artists and genres that ESSEX performs from Joan Jett to Will I Am with the fidelity that you would expect from a tribute performer. |
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Barbara began performing at the age of 7 in her hometown of Pittsburgh, Pa. She’s been onstage since performing in traveling choirs and musicals throughout high school in Southern California. Barbara’s favorite memory was playing Princess Winifred the Woebegone in Once Upon a Mattress, a role originally played by Carol Burnett on Broadway. Barbara moved to Northern California in 1997 to attend college. She currently holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work and hopes to begin a Ph.D. program within the next several years. Barbara has a love of jazz and soulful ballads but will sing just about anything if the mood strikes. She's had the opportunity to "try on" many other bands but feels she’s found a band family with ESSEX. Barbara cites the band’s friendships offstage and their individual talent as the basis for ESSEX’s cohesiveness onstage. |
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Paul has been playing bass for 25 years, and will someday realize that the instrument only requires four strings. He is a multiinstrumentalist who occasionally shows off his trumpet chops for Essex crowds, and a singer who can't resist adding harmonies to almost any song we do. A former leader of a comedy band and a marching band who has performed in a dozen countries and recorded with several acts, Paul always has his hands in multiple musical pies (and occasionally multiple fruit pies). He has a day job in the software industry, but prefers the pie. |
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Don has been playing guitar for nearly 25 years working as a steady
musician for the last 15. After hearing the likes of Hendrix, Zeppelin, AC/DC,
and Pink Floyd he knew right away that the guitar and music would play a very
important roll in his life. He gained his performance experience playing on the
cover band circuits in the South Bay Area and gained studio and recording
experience by writing and recording a full length album entitled, Better Late
Than Never. He is just as happy jamming with people and having inspired
creativity as well as playing those good ol’ cover tunes that seem to hold time
for some people. Having played with many musicians Don feels fortunate to be
playing with such wonderful people and talent that make up
ESSEX.
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Stu |
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Nick Auriemmo is a
native of Long Island,
New York
who gradually made his way toward the West Coast. After receiving a Bachelors of
Music from
Fredonia
College
located in western
New York,
he went on for his Masters’ at
Northern
Illinois
University.
Throughout
his music career, he has enjoyed playing with symphonies, musical theatre
groups, world music ensembles and rock bands. Nick lives in
Lodi
and continues to pursue a wide range of musical outlets. Playing with Essex
has given him the opportunity to play with talented musicians willing to put up
with him constantly banging on the drums.
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Honorable Mention
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Bill
Our Sound & Lighting
Wizard/Bartender/Comic Relief
We
don't leave home without him! |
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Mitch
Past member
Percussionist extraordinaire
Mitch still graces us with his presence behind the kit
every once in a while. |
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Nick
Bass Player |
