South Of Mars - The Band
The South Orange County, California based band, South Of Mars got their start from their guitarist Troz. His inexorable passion for music has not slowed down even though he is a full time project manager and family man first. With steady ambition, he has pulled together South Orange County's most talented players. As a band, we strive to keep raising the bar and pushing the envelope of creativity; weaving jazz, blues, funk and rock into soulful grooves.
Short DESCRIPTION
The South Orange County, California based band, South Of Mars; strive to keep raising the bar and pushing the envelope of creativity; weaving jazz, blues, funk and rock into soulful grooves.
Featured Artist
We enjoy having our friends sit in with us. Some of those artists are listed below.
Troz pietraszuk - Guitar
A native of Clinton, Connecticut, Troz is as versatile as they come, equally strong in Blues, Rock, Funk, Fusion, Jazz and Reggae. You will find him bending genres rather than allowing himself to be confined by their boundaries. He has spent his professional life playing the East Coast, Midwest and West Coast. During that time, he has performed and trained with many top players such as Buddy Guy and Ritchie Blackmore to Scott Henderson and Bruce Buckingham only to name a few. Upon Graduating from Guitar Institute of Technology at Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California, Troz has tutored students at MI and assisted the music department at Hollywood High. Currently, Troz is still involved in the Los Angeles recording and playing scene only by special invitation. He can be found cutting it up with South Orange County's super group "South Of Mars" and "Bags Of Jam".
Troz celebrates life in beautiful south Orange County, Laguna Niguel, California to be exact, with his angelic wife Noushin and awesome kids Armon and Laila. Life would not be complete without Mari Fay and Gia.
Vince Washington - BASS
Vince has walked, thumped, plucked and slide across his bass strings through Orange, Los Angeles and Riverside Counties. He has participated in musical endeavors that covered everything from the 50’s to R & B, from jazz to afro- Cuban. He loves to entertain as he has played many of the venues from the Coach House, B.B Kings, the Galaxy, the Grove, Monterey Blues Festival, Doheny Blues Festival and the Playboy Community Concert Series.
His influences are as diverse which includes artist from Ray Brown to Marcus Miller, Jaco, Christian McBride, Alain Caron, and Victor Bailey. He has participated in several original CD projects and played on the sound track for an original dance musical “Chelsea’s on Main”.
This Philadelphia native is committed to playing and looking to expand his experience as a bassist and artist. “Renown” has become the next sojourn in his musical journey.
Marc Whitney - drums
In the 90's I was an active studio musician. Played for new artists in studio and tour for Arista. Opened for some known acts including Kansas and Night Ranger. Touring is hard work so I went and got a real job.
FEATURED | JOHN GRUBE - SAX
John Grube plays saxophone and vibraphone at a semi-professional level. He has played most all styles of music, from Big Band and traditional jazz to blues, rock, reggae, R&B, and surf music.
He has played at the Doheney Blues Festival five times with three different bands, including Millertime Boogie, Black Cat Mojo and the Boogiemen. He has recorded with blues bands Millertime Boogie, Black Cat Mojo and Blue Mama, and has made a jazz recording with his Dad, Bob Grube, who plays piano. He has also recorded with Quarantine, a jazz-rock band playing all originals. Recently has been playing with Kings of Leisure from San Clemente and South of Mars from Orange County both featuring a mix of jazz, blues and funky songs.
John mainly plays the tenor and alto saxophones, on all recordings and performances. He also is proficient on the vibraphone and marimba. He doubles on the soprano sax, flute, clarinet, piano, and hand percussion including the African Djembe drum.
FEATURED | Matt Taylor - Singer
Have played Bass and sang for over 40 years in R&B, Adult Contemporary, Classic Rock, Jazz, and Christian bands. Have performed in New York, San Diego, at Sea, and various cities in Orange, Riverside and Los Angeles Counties.
Check out Matt Taylor on LinkedIn
FEATURED | BILL RAMIREZ - SINGER
1989-2015 lead singer Lido Club Band ( played all OC nightclubs;
1976 singer in original band which included guitarist Mike Reilly (of Elvin Bishop & Greg Allman band),and Kid Ramos (of Fabulous Thunderbirds). 1981 singer in Mike Reilly band which included Jaime Johnson & Lamar Wiliams (Allman Bros drummer & bass players). Lead singer of various local bands in the 1980's