FL
Worldwide Zoo is an electrifying Tampa Bay trio that combine sounds as if it were alchemy. Some jazz, a little latin, lot's of funk, a pinch of space, with blends of world beat and rock. The band was founded in April 2005 by Michael Zabrek(keys) and Santiago Rodriguez(bass) after being asked to play a show in Gainesville, Fl at a bar called the Shamrock. Then known as "Schiavo", they played an energy filled set of songs titled "Schiavo" for a very accepting and forgiving crowd. This sparked the fire and an experiment known as Worldwide Zoo emerged. 25 more shows were played in the first year throughout the Tampa-St Pete. area including a win at a battle of the bands, "based on talent" at the Orpheum, and they're own 15+ act "Zoo Fest" which was held at The Bank in St. Petersburg. In Jan. 2006 the Zoo met drummer Jason Stander and the trio was formed. Switching to live drums gave them the freedom to improvise in a new way. Since then they've done 60+ performances and show no sign of stopping. They've packed houses in Tampa, Gainesville, St. Petersburg, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs, even a music festival in Brooksville. Many of their shows have been featured in local scenester rags and the Tampa Tribune decided to do a feature article based on their day to day lives. All have found different things to say about the sound: "Attention-grabbing, jazzy-funky and eclectic as all get out, Worldwide Zoo doesn't cage up its creative beasts, it loads 'em up on a party-cruise ark and floats them ingeniously into your psyche.", "Worldwide Zoo is more of a stylistic salad, a crunchy toss of world beat, folk, rock and jazz."-Julie Garisto(Tampa Bay Times/St. Pete Times) "Sophisticated, jam-intensive brand of funk/jazz...", "Fusing elements of jazz, funk, jam oriented rock and what we will simply call experimental, local organ trio Worldwide Zoo offer forward-thinking sonic explorations that mesmerize....WWZ plays with a sense of purpose, taking the listener around unexpected turns that prove both surprising and pleasing.", "a spacey brand of funk-jazz that's by turns propulsive and exploratory."-Wade Tangelo(Creative Loafing Magazine) "Like George Duke, early Santana (sans Carlos), Herbie Hancock, late Mothers of Invention/Beefheart, maybe some Bernie Worrell and Stevie Wonder. The rhythm section wore huge boots made of bloody granite."-Otolathe "Very now. Crisp. Lots of tinsel. A grooovifonic sound explosion. I dig the vibe. Keep it vague you barbarian freak masters!"-Rob the Canadian "Mix up some traditional jazz, acid jazz and some funk, and you've got a good idea of the sounds. Killer jazz drum solos, Rhodes keys and some crazy bass lines."-Dave Sammon
Worldwide Zoo is an electrifying Tampa Bay trio that combine sounds as if it were alchemy. Some jazz, a little latin, lot's of funk, a pinch of space, with blends of world beat and rock. The band was founded in April 2005 by Michael Zabrek(keys) and Santiago Rodriguez(bass) after being asked to play a show in Gainesville, Fl at a bar called the Shamrock. Then known as "Schiavo", they played an energy filled set of songs titled "Schiavo" for a very accepting and forgiving crowd. This sparked the fire and an experiment known as Worldwide Zoo emerged. 25 more shows were played in the first year throughout the Tampa-St Pete. area including a win at a battle of the bands, "based on talent" at the Orpheum, and they're own 15+ act "Zoo Fest" which was held at The Bank in St. Petersburg. In Jan. 2006 the Zoo met drummer Jason Stander and the trio was formed. Switching to live drums gave them the freedom to improvise in a new way. Since then they've done 60+ performances and show no sign of stopping. They've packed houses in Tampa, Gainesville, St. Petersburg, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs, even a music festival in Brooksville. Many of their shows have been featured in local scenester rags and the Tampa Tribune decided to do a feature article based on their day to day lives. All have found different things to say about the sound: "Attention-grabbing, jazzy-funky and eclectic as all get out, Worldwide Zoo doesn't cage up its creative beasts, it loads 'em up on a party-cruise ark and floats them ingeniously into your psyche.", "Worldwide Zoo is more of a stylistic salad, a crunchy toss of world beat, folk, rock and jazz."-Julie Garisto(Tampa Bay Times/St. Pete Times) "Sophisticated, jam-intensive brand of funk/jazz...", "Fusing elements of jazz, funk, jam oriented rock and what we will simply call experimental, local organ trio Worldwide Zoo offer forward-thinking sonic explorations that mesmerize....WWZ plays with a sense of purpose, taking the listener around unexpected turns that prove both surprising and pleasing.", "a spacey brand of funk-jazz that's by turns propulsive and exploratory."-Wade Tangelo(Creative Loafing Magazine) "Like George Duke, early Santana (sans Carlos), Herbie Hancock, late Mothers of Invention/Beefheart, maybe some Bernie Worrell and Stevie Wonder. The rhythm section wore huge boots made of bloody granite."-Otolathe "Very now. Crisp. Lots of tinsel. A grooovifonic sound explosion. I dig the vibe. Keep it vague you barbarian freak masters!"-Rob the Canadian "Mix up some traditional jazz, acid jazz and some funk, and you've got a good idea of the sounds. Killer jazz drum solos, Rhodes keys and some crazy bass lines."-Dave Sammon
We are a classic,southern,and modern rock party band playing all the standard cover tunes from bands like Lynard Skynard to Green day and Molly Hatchet to God Smack.We have played shows from the Florida Keys all the way to Huston,Texas.We currently play in the Gainesville / Ocala Florida area but are looking to expand.If your looking for a high energy rock band that will get your friends or customers in a partying frenzy we are your guys. quotes include our larger sound system and light show. call us with venue details and location for a quote
Band Leader's Biography Name: A. Wesley Hemmans Hometown: Orlando, Fl Instruments: Alto-Tenor-Soprano Sax, Flute, Piano Influences: Vincent Herring, Kenny Garrett, Kirk Whalum, Cannonball Adderley Genre: Jazz, R&B, Pop, Gospel It’s his new approach to jazz that’s catching everyone’s ears. There are artists that just play and then there are artists that speak to your soul. In the world of jazz, Cannonball Adderley captured emotions through our ears, Coltrane captured our hearts, and Vincent Herring showed us what was missing from music. Now, 24-year-old Wesley Hemmans is bringing us back to great music with his refreshing yet soulful approach to jazz music. Born in rural Waycross, Ga, Wesley grew up listening to the sounds of gospel legends like Fred Hammond and Yolanda Adams, and developed his distinctively honest sound through his early exposure to gospel music. He then learned to manipulate those sounds to make them a soulful expression of his inner self. Growing up in the church, Wesley came to love the saxophone as a child and began playing at 13-years-old. When he entered middle school, he joined the Jazz Band and continued playing through high school upon his arrival to Orlando, Fl. After high school, Wesley was promised scholarships from several prominent institutions based upon his musical prowess & decided to attend Florida A & M University; the alma mater of the legendary duo Cannonball & Nat Adderley. Here, he became the principal chair alto saxophonist for the university’s highest jazz band & became a Drum Major for the university’s famous “Marching 100” marching band during his collegiate tenure. After performing at President Barack Obama’s inauguration in Washington DC; with Prince in Miami, Fl at the SuperBowl; and with Kanye West at the Grammy’s, Wesley went on to graduate Cum Laude with the esteem of his professors; receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Jazz Studies in December of 2010. Aside from the numerous gigs at hotels, clubs, and weddings, Wesley has also performed alongside or at the same venues as many nationally known musicians including Smokie Norful, Yolonda Adams & The Roots. Wesley has appeared on several Indie albums and songs and can also be found on video footage from college football and basketball games performing the national anthem. Wesley’s soulfully refreshing approach to music is not bound by the restrictions that categorical genre implies. Wesley Hemmans, instead, expresses love in his music and is a captivating crowd pleaser.
Wayward Bypass has an original, pure sound. Their music and lyrics are inspired by life experience and personal journeys. Their best songs come out when they collaborate together in the writing process. Adam and Joanna have been married since 2006, and Tolly and Joanna are sisters. Adam is the guitarist, while Joanna is the pianist. The three of them, with unique voices, form beautiful harmonies. Their music has been said to be folk, celtic, progressive. The purity of their voices in harmony is their signature. They are all optimistic, still in their twenties, with great dreams and determination for the future. Right now they perform in the Pensacola area at various restaurants, festivals, and other venues. They are better live than on CD!! Wayward Bypass is still unsigned with a record label.
From its beginnings as a house band in one of Florida’s most successful night clubs, through its evolution into one of the country’s premier corporate/convention entertainment packages, Tremors featuring The Earthquake Horns® has become one of the most sought after bands performing today. Born and bred in the Mecca of tourism, Tremors was created to appeal to a large and musically diverse audience. With musical styles that range from Top 40 Dance to Classic Rock, Rhythm and Blues, Soul, Funk, Disco and Country, Tremors is right at home in any venue. The band has been delighting audiences for over a decade with their unique blend of musicality and high energy. This is a group that is not simply to be seen or heard, but rather, experienced. Tremors’ members have an onstage chemistry that comes only with years of performing together. Watch this group and it becomes quickly apparent that the performers genuinely enjoy what they do. Their shows are always spontaneous and exciting. Playing TO their audiences and not at them, Tremors always get the crowd involved. The band creates a party atmosphere that is electrifying and infectious. Consisting of nine members who are all seasoned professionals, their credits read like a “Who’s Who” of entertainment. They have appeared, either individually or as a group, with artists such as: Ray Charles, The Dixie Chicks, John Secada, Harry Connick, Jr., The Commodores, Wynton Marsalis, Melba Moore, The Platters, The Coasters, Joe Walsh and Glenn Frey, and many, many more. Tremors has a long history of corporate, festival, night club and party performances and has appeared on Ed McMahon’s “Star Search”. The band has also been featured in nationally advertised television commercials for Walt Disney World’s Pleasure Island, Disney’ Boardwalk and Universal Studios Florida, and was a featured act that was broadcast live on the CBS television network from Super Bowl XXXV. Their versatility, professionalism and complete dedication to their craft have made Tremors featuring The Earthquake Horns® an industry standard. From Hawaii to The Caribbean, from The Big Apple to Mexico, Tremors has appeared in every venue imaginable. Whether it’s 2,000 people on the beach in Cancun, or 20,000 in the RCA Dome, a one-nighter in Florence, Italy, or nineteen days in Miami Beach, Tremors has what it takes to help make your event a success. If excitement is what you’re looking for, Tremors featuring The Earthquake Horns® is a seismic event you won’t want to miss! References available upon request.