Guitar, piano, bass, and drums are the primary
instruments that Sacramento band Everyday Joe uses
to paint their musical portrait. They draw from
popular influences such as the Dave Matthews Band,
Counting Crows, and Ben Folds Five, as well as
improvisational jazz innovators. Their live
performances make for an uncompromising musical
experience that will always leave you wanting more.
In only their first year, Everyday Joe has racked up
some accolades worthy of mention. A Battle of the
Bands competition (sponsored by 100.5 The Zone,
Skip s Music and Tower Records) pitted Everyday Joe
against 30 to 40 other local and regional bands.
Everyday Joe came out on top and were invited to
perform at A Day in the Zone , a Sacramento music
festival in which EJ shared the stage with
Dishwalla, Blessid Union of Souls, Avril Lavigne, Pete
Yorn and Remy Zero. Some other large scale
performances include a 4th of July River Cats game,
the California State Fair, the Sacramento Festival of
Cinema, two Breast Cancer Benefit shows, as well as a
television appearance on ABC Channel 10's Midday Show
and additional television air time on Locals Only
along the entire west coast. They've had regular gigs
in the greater Sacramento area at the Boardwalk,
Harlow s, Los Hermanos, Mace's, Powerhouse Pub, Old
Ironsides, and G St. Pub. Their college performances
span all over the state at institutions such as UC Santa
Barbara, Santa Clara, Cal Poly, Chico State, UC Davis,
and St. Mary's. Venues outside the area include
Blake's in Berkeley, the Voodoo Lounge and the Hotel
Utah Saloon in San Francisco, Stars in Vacaville,
Osprey Brew Pub in Medford (Oregon), Blue Tattoo in
Modesto, the Epicenter in Chico, and the famous Whisky
A Go-Go in Hollywood.
Although the synergy of the band is key, the
individuals that form Everyday Joe should not be
overlooked. With such a plethora of tastes, talents,
influences and experience, the parts that sum the
whole are every bit as fresh and original as the group
itself:
On lead vocals and rhythm guitar is Joe Orlando. In
singing lead and backup vocals and playing rhythm and
bass guitar for other previous Sacramento bands, Joe
honed his musical skills. His warm voice inflection
and vocal range blends well with the band's overall
tone. His guitar playing reveals shades of Dave
Matthews and Elliot Smith in addition to the ability
of having busy fingers amidst a moving vocal line.
Joe has a background in the rock/pop/alternative
categories, but his experimental attitude leaves
himself open for the benefits of other genres and
influences in and outside of the band.
Nick Stark is the electric and acoustic bass player for Everyday Joe. While dreams of Rocco Prestia, John Patitucci, and Victor Wooten, fueled this bass player's
inspirational fire, he was performing with the Santa
Clara Vanguard playing tuba in addition to placing
second in the Drum Corps International Finals in
individual and ensemble competition. Unlike
conventional bass players, Nick's presence is known
and felt musically by using a variety of bass playing
methods and techniques. A fascinating facet of
Nick's playing is his presumption to drummer John
Testa's playing. Any twist or turn issued by John,
and Nick is there to lock up with him in a
heartbeat.
The rhythmic adhesive of the group is drummer John
Testa. In playing with various rock, jazz, and fusion
bands, John has graced the west coast and a hand full
of countries with his percussive presence. A member
of the California All State and Northern California
Symphonic Honor Band for three consecutive years,
John's polyrhythmic prowess and rhythmic inventiveness
serves as a tasteful and talent filled alternative to
mainstream beat blandness. The interplay between John
and band bassist Nick Stark reveals a solid
foundation forged by experience, panache, and an
e.s.p.-like ability to anticipate their musical
ventures.
Pianist Joe Quattrocchi sits in on the keys for
Everyday Joe. Classically trained with a wide
background in jazz, rock, and ecclesiastical music,
Joe has been doing freelance accompaniment since the
age of 15 and playing at local churches since 13. He
has been greatly influenced by Phineas Newborn, Herbie
Hancock, Clifford Brown, Charlie Parker, Bud Powell,
Bill Evans, and local jazz pianist and educator, Dr.
Joe Gilman. Although a stylistic player but an
experimenter nonetheless, Joe insists on the fusion of
all that is music which is why you'll hear bop lines
and color chords instilled in a program of
alternative rock.
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