Jon Coleman
Guitar, Marimba, Vibraphone
Jon, who’s been writing, arranging, performing and producing music since the 1970’s, received a career high achievement when he was named Best Jazz Guitarist at the 2000 Los Angeles Music Awards for his work on Latitudes. His love affair with the guitar began in the sixth grade, and resulted in his taking classical guitar lessons for 15 years developing his signature finger-style technique. But musical creativity might actually be in his genes.
His dad, Charles, was a songwriter for Chappel Music, when he wrote songs for the original Broadway musical “Harlem Cavalcade” which featured a young Lena Horne and Harry Belafonte. Jon feels his strong sense of melody is rooted in the standards, show tunes and classical music that was always playing in his home while growing up.
Jon studied music and played in the early 70’s while attending Cal Poly University, Pomona, adding marimba and vibraphone to his instrument repertoire, but it wasn’t until the ‘80’s that he played steadily with his group, Abrakadabra, in the South Bay area. They eventually became the house band at The Lighthouse, and played the jazz club circuit in Los Angeles to sold out crowds.
Forming a new smooth jazz trio in 2000 (Gold Coast) Jon co-produced an instrumental CD, Latitudes, that garnered extensive radio airplay throughout the world. A founding member of Abrakadabra, Jon looks forward to the reincarnation of this Group, known for its driving, propulsive rhythms and mesmerizing vocals.
George Ines Rossi
Percussionist/Vocals (Congas, Cajon, Drums, Hand Percussion, Keyboards, Ukulele)
George Rossi has worked with Boydpod, Kalapana, Celilio & Kapono, Tateng Katindig, Ner De Leon, Mon David, Banzai, Jeff Kashiwa, Michael Paulo, Edwin Star, Yutaka Yokokura, Joey Albert, Sitti Navarro, David Pomeranz Windfield Summit, Fujazz and numerous other latin, funk, jazz and gospel groups. He has toured across the US, Hawaii, Canada, Thailand and Mexico. George is a co-founder of Agape Beat, a percussion ensemble including Ronnie Ciago, David Owens, Michael Bissonette and Tim Jones, which is endorsed by Remo Drum Head Co. He has served as Associate Musical Director for Isuda Ti Emuna, a filipino theater group. George has also worked with Nathan Wong, television and movie score composer, on a musical piece for an ABC Children’s After School Special.
George studied music at Dick Grove’s School of Music and studied under Kevin Ricard and Richie Lapur. He now teaches drums and percussion. He also sings, writes and composes music.
Inspired by the sounds of Joe South, Tony began playing keyboards when he was 15-years-old. By the time he was 17, he was writing music and lyrics, as well as singing. Growing up in the South Bay, Tony studied music in school and played with a number of local bands before he moved to Hawaii. There he developed an affinity for the island sound, now deeply infused in Abrakadabra’s mellow signature. He and John Pickell became a songwriting team in the ‘80’s, creating most of Abrakadabra’s library of tunes, along with Jon Coleman.
A native of Orange County (OC), CA, John Rodgers started playing bass when he was 12-years-old. During his high school years, he played with various garage bands. After graduation, he moved to Hawaii and took up the acoustic guitar. In the late 70’s through early 80’s, John settled back in southern CA, and played bass in Cylinders, a local OC band whose EP was featured on KROQ. John still finds himself involved in many studio projects as a session player, and has been involved with University of CA Irvine Performance Art groups. In 1998, he expanded his musical base by playing and recording with various Christian churches in Orange County. Still eager and determined to perfect his craft, he has extensively studied jazz theory. John currently resides in Orange County.
On a trip to Mexico when he was 18-years-old, Vince’s purchase of a set of bongos began his long-lasting love of percussion instruments. Inspired by the soul and energy in Santana’s music, Vince studied music at college and performed with the number one jazz ensembles at both Orange Coast College and Cal State University Long Beach. He currently resides in Littlerock, CA, and performs regularly with Hollywood Rockers, Blue Jewels Band, and with Robert Ortiz at various venues in Orange County.
Carter Aristie
Drums
Carter Aristie, a southern California native, started his musical career in the early 80’s recording tracks for the MUZAK Company. Through his friendship and association with the well know drummer Gary Ferguson, Carter began performing at The Sweetwater in Redondo Beach with the “James Conroy Band” as well as the band “Underwater Traffic” at the Comeback Inn in Venice. Carter then joined the local South Bay jazz/fusion band “Turnaround” performing regularly at The Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach and The Strand Super Club in Redondo. Carter toured for 2 years with CBS Records country music artists on the bill with Mac Davis, Conway Twitty & Bill Cosby. Later, while playing recitals at Los Angeles Harbor College, Carter met other musicians and arrangers leading to the formation of the 40s Big Band group “The Swing Of Things” which performed for several years at The Sky Room in Long Beach. Currently, Carter is the leader of the Smooth Jazz group “The Jazz Vibe” which plays in the South Bay area, as well as, regularly performing with “Abrakadabra”.
