Patti Spadaro
Combine top notch musicians, great songs, danceable music, a good vibe, and leave plenty of room for group improvisation. The result creates a space where the music opens up into something huge...the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
THE BAND
The Patti Spadaro Band serves up a mix of feel good, bluesy jam-rock. Before teaming up with Patti, drummer JANELLE BURDELL worked with Mickey Hart (of the Grateful Dead) for several years. She performed and recorded with Mickey, and did drum programming and sound design for Planet Drum and The Other Ones. Janelle toured with Broadway musicals and is the founder of Rhythm Games, which is dedicated to creating a better world though music programs and drum circles.
MARK WEAKLAND is also a drummer for the Patti Spadaro Band. He plays drums when Janelle is on the road, or sometimes plays percussion along with Janelle, and sings. He has played for and recorded with over 45 artists and performing arts groups, and he's helped open for national artists such as The Band, Dave Mason, Merle Saunders, Rusted Root and jazz greats John Faddis, Emily Remler and John Blake. He also played in the Pittsburgh based jam band Sandoz for many years.
Jazzy-jammy keyboardist JEFF ROSENTHAL plays with Erin Burkett, Jimmy Adler and Grimace. Bassist KEN LAMISON worked with Jumboband, the Mystic Nights and more.
PATTI SPADARO
PATTI SPADARO is a creative, passionate lead guitarist/singer/songwriter who has recorded and released several CDs and performed all over the country. After 10 years working as a full time musician in the L.A. area, Patti returned to her home state of PA to start a family. She now performs both solo acoustic and with the Patti Spadaro Band around the greater Pittsburgh area. Patti’s performed with many of the area’s favorites, including Tom Breiding, Bill Toms, theCAUSE, Cherylann Hawk, Sandoz, Jill West, Tony Lee, The Sweaty Betty Blues Band, The Mystic Knights, The Randall Troy Band and Craig King. She plays at festivals, colleges and clubs, including Moondogs, The Thunderbird Café, P.D.’s Pub, Cefalo’s and Club Cafe.
Patti wrote all the songs on her cd "Short Stay", which features Patti on vocals and lead guitar. "The Grateful Dead, the Dave Matthew's Band, and Stevie Ray Vaughn are big influences", says Patti, "but I love all kinds of stuff. John Mayer, Phish, Little Feat, Sheryl Crow, Eric Clapton, The Allman Brothers and Bonnie Raitt are all great too. Projects with room for improvisation as well as good solid song writing are my favorite. I love to get people up and dancing. Music can open minds and inspire, it can bring people together, even expand consciousness and make a difference in the world. It's also a whole lot of fun."
Patti organized a benefit concert for Free Arts for Abused Children at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles. Rock legends Little Feat headlined the concert, with the Smith/Spadaro Band opening the show.
For several years Patti was the lead guitarist for the Zookeepers. They recorded two CDs together, the first simply titled "The Zookeepers", and the second entitled "Set Me Free". Patti and the Zookeepers toured the western U.S. extensively, playing steadily from San Diego to Seattle. They were named one of L.A.'s best bands by Fox-TV, and have performed on local TV shows, including Good Day LA. Both of their CDs received airplay all over the west coast.
Patti has also recorded and performed in Los Angeles with singer/songwriter and award winning commercial producer Sherby, and singer/songwriter Roger Len Smith.
"A Step Down From Luxury", Patti's first CD, was recorded with the Mystrals. Patti performed often with the Mystrals in L.A. and toured the southwestern U.S. with them.
Patti started playing at age 11, and has been performing since age 13. She is a graduate of Musician's Institue in Hollywood, where she studied with world renown jazz/fusion guitarist Scott Henderson, and blues/roots-rock guitarist Keith Wyatt of the Blasters. She has also worked as a guitar teacher and session musician.