Melissa Sullivan is a singer/songwriter from Southampton UK, her songs cover a broad spectrum of genre. Folk,Rock,Acoustic,Pop,Jazz and Country to name a few. She started playing the flute classically at about seven years old and achieved grade 8 distinction at 14. She had already started playing the piano and writing music before her teenage years and also a bit of acting in local pantomimes. ( Oh no she didn't...Oh yes She did. )
Melissa has fronted and written for many bands and in 2004, teamed-up with Dave and started performing along the south coast as a duo, herself taking vocals and playing keyboards/ flute and Dave on electric and acoustic guitars. Now very happy with a fuller sound thanks to the two "Dave's", Ric and Mark.
Dave Wilkes - Guitars
Dave plays the electric and acoustic guitars.... A man of few words but still ledgendary...unless he cuts his finger on old paint or sweeds.
Dave Amey - Drums/ percussion/ the odd chime
" I Started drumming when i was 10 years old. joined school band and was asked to play everything as i was the only drummer.
I then joined an excellent band called ALIBI which were a rock band . We had lots of fans and cut an 8 track recording, also came 2nd in the battle of the bands.
I then left alibi and joined a funk band called flunkadilic but didnt gig with them, left them to form my own band called tequila sunrise but although sound was great couldnt find a singer.
Gave up for quite a while until i heard a lovely voice on party sounds and applied to join Melissa and more.
I am very pleased to be part of this great band because i love the music and they are such nice people."
Ric Westwood - Saxaphone,Clarinet
"My dad had a great musical influence he turned pro when I was 18. I’ve been playing Alto Sax and Clarinet in bands since the age of 16 in Manchester and by the time I was 18 I was playing semi pro in Blackpool clubs. Over the years I’ve done studio session work and playing in venues as far apart as Edinburgh, London and Berlin; more notably the Royal Albert hall. My day Job(s) have taken me all over the country and more recently before moving to Southampton I had been living in Dorset where played in a gigging band enjoying a summer season on Bournemouth pier and major events venues. Musical influences and hero’s include John Coltrane, Jethro Tull, Pink, Blues brothers"
Mark Benfield - Bass
Mark was born in Wolverhampton in the early 60’s and started learning various musical instruments at primary school. He turned to the bass guitar in his early teens and together with a few school friends formed a rock band. After leaving school he joined his first working band playing covers in the many and varied clubs throughout the West Midlands area.
Mark moved to the south coast in 1987 and since then has featured on bass guitar in a number of original, covers and tribute bands, playing in clubs, theatres and music venues throughout the UK and in northern Europe. His musical influences are too numerous to list, but his favourite styles are classical, jazz and classical-inspired prog-rock.
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