WHO IS SONGBIRD?
Tonette Jeanine (a.k.a. T.J.) is the grand-daughter of a Baptist preacher from Houston, TX and as the daughter of a preacher’s kid, gospel music was and is the foundation of her music. Her earliest musical memories began at the age of 5 when attending church every Sunday morning where she would see and hear her mother sing in the church choir. It was always understood that when she was old enough, she, too, would follow in her mother’s footsteps and sing in the choir. Her father, who grew up on the East Coast, would teach her about harmonies from his early years of quartet singing. There was always music being played at home…every thing from Jazz, to Motown to Gospel and R&B. She heard Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, Shirley Bassey and, of course, the Supremes, Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight.
Although Tonette Jeanine knew pretty early that she did not want to be a jazz singer per se, she enjoyed listening to the legendary jazz vocalists for the phrasing of their lyrics, their musicality and their ability to sing soft and sexy one minute and then loudly with control in the next. Another major musical influence for her was the theatre, as she had the joy and honor of seeing Stephanie Mills, Patti LaBelle and Eartha Kitt in live stage performances at a very young age. She saw firsthand how their music and their interpretation of a song could make someone smile, cry, and laugh all at the same time! Theatre encompassed all of the things that she truly loved...singing, dancing, acting —performing.
The combination of various styles of music is what led Tonette Jeanine to become a professional musician/singer. For Tonette Jeanine , music is supposed to touch you...your heart, your mind, your soul...something! It is the ability to use song to touch someone that she has never met that inspires her and keeps her involved in the music world.
Tonette Jeanine has been performing since the 3rd grade. Growing up in Richmond, CA, she honed her singing and performing skills at church, and then as a principal singer at Richmond High School in the A Capella choir. Considered a “vocal prodigy,” at the tender age of 13, she began taking singing lessons with Tommie Sue Anderson of the San Francisco Metropolitan Opera Company.
While attending Richmond High School, she started her first R&B band called "Breezin." She also represented Richmond High School in district functions and yearly commencement ceremonies. Upon graduation from Richmond High, Tonette Jeanine received the Bank of America Award in Music - Outstanding Vocalist. She then went on to attend the University of the Pacific, Conservatory of Music, in Stockton, CA, where she studied Opera and Vocal Performance.
In 2004, while the Director of her church choir (Resurrection A.M.E. in Richmond, CA), Tonette Jeanine, along with a couple of close personal friends, started another group known as The Quadraphonics. From their debut performance at The Baltic in Pt. Richmond, CA, they were a hit!!! During the band’s first and second years, they were asked and headlined the Pt. Richmond Music Series in Pt. Richmond, CA. For the next two years, The Quadraphonics were a mainstay in the Napa Valley area playing at Downtown Joes (Napa), Ana’s Cantina (St. Helena) and The Hydro Bar & Grill (Calistoga). Tonette Jeanine also gives back to the community by volunteering her talents to Bread & Roses which provides musical entertainment to the incarcerated and homeless.
In 2007, Tonette Jeanine decided to “step out on her own” as a solo artist and is currently supported by her 4-piece band called Raw Sugar. Although Tonette Jeanine performs mostly R&B, she also has some outstanding arrangements of well known jazz standards and show tunes.
Considered a “true entertainer,” Tonette Jeanine has a three octave range, and a voice that is mesmerizing, rich and powerful!! One minute she is belting out a tune reminiscent of Chaka Khan, and the next, singing a ballad in the sultry husky tones of Sarah Vaughn. Her voice is a “true” instrument and she takes you on a musical journey, painting a picture with her voice through the interpretation of the lyrics.
From 2003 to 2004, "Tonette Jeanine" was a principal performer with J'La Chic Production Company's musical Down Broadway. During her tenure she performed all over the SF Bay Area where she headlined at the Grand Ballroom at The Claremont Hotel.
“I thank God every day for all of my blessings and feel truly honored to have the ability to touch people on a personal level. The natural high I get from a live performance is unexplainable and absolutely 100% spiritual.”
Mark began his musical and drum development at Richmond High School, under the tutelage of Jay Lehmann and then, Drake McCarthy.
Mark received additional instruction on the finer aspects of drumming from Dave Bartlett, ad former member of Tower of Power.
Upon attending Contra Costa Community College, Mark was instructed by Kenny Illusario.
Mark was also able to have an instruction from the now legendary Steve Smith, drummer for Journey and began his gigging life with, the Tommy Crank Band.
In the coming years, Mark played in, performed and recorded with a, a plethora of bands and artists throughout the Bay Area, which included becoming the co-founder and original drummer of Primus with, Les Claypool!
Mark also was involved in pit orchestra for Contra Costa College’s Performing Arts Theater in such productions of: ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Guys and Dolls, Westside Story, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Wizard of Oz, The Wiz and The Tempest. Mark has also performed in the orchestras for ‘A Winter’s Tale’ and ‘Grease.’
A choice number of bands that Mark has been a member of, performed and recovered with throughout the years are: Shock Exchange, Sugar Cane, Desire, Factor 3, Pure, Lotus Rush, Majestic Soul, Resin 7, Te’ar’e O Te’au, Revelation, Delta Brew, OPO, ODA and had also worked as a studio drummer and had recorded for various artists as well as drummer/vocalist for Crosswinds Church and resurrection AME Church music ministries.
Mark recorded an album as the producer/composer/co-composer/arranger with his acoustic duo brother, Alex Jimenez, on their Jimenez/Edgar Acoustik Projekt.
Mark’s song composition of “First Generation” and drum performances can be heard on 2nd Planet’s newest album release titled “Back Down To Earth” which is available on all digital streaming platforms.
Raw Sugar
MARK EDGAR
DRUMS, PERCUSSION & VOCALS
A native Bay Area multi-instrumentalist that got an early start in music with piano lessons on her mother’s lap. Playing music for the pure joy of it, she has performed at Yoshi’s, Freight and Salvage, the California Jazz Conservatory and Ashkenaz in genres as diverse as big band jazz, harmonica ensemble, body music and Brazilian choro. She is currently a member of several bands including Raw Sugar, Mary Lou’s Apartment and Tin Sandwich.
Cynthia M.
Flute/ Sax Player
Darrell has been playing professionally for more than 20 years and had played at a number of popular venues in the South and Central Texas area as well as overseas. Darrell was the resident piano player at the Tower of Americas in San Antonio Texas as well as several of the major hotels and restaurants in central Texas. Darrell had also performed with opening acts for artist such as Tom Brown, Roy Ayers, The Sax Pack, Kirk Whalum, Pieces of a Dream, Joe McBride, Steve Cole and Mindi Abair among others as well as having the privilege of touring in Southeast Asia with The Second Nature Band out of San Antonio Texas for the US military. Darrell’s performances can be heard on 2nd Planet’s newest album release titled “Back Down To Earth” which is available on all digital streaming platforms.
Keyboard player / musical director
Darrell B.
The guitarist of Northern California’s 2nd Planet band. Clarence has also worked as a writer for Bass Frontiers Magazine and wrote stories as well as conducted interviews on bass guitar pioneer and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee LARRY GRAHAM (formerly of Sly and the Family Stone and presently with Graham Central Station) who now performs with mega/platinum artist PRINCE. Clarence also interviewed bassist CHRIS SQUIRE of the legendary rock band YES.
Clarence’s past accomplishments include a CD release titled “The Upside Down Xperience” featuring the smooth jazz title “Ocean Breeze” which was aired on Sacramento California radio stations.
You can hear Clarence’s compositions on 2ND PLANET’S debut release, “Beyond the Surface, the band’s second album release “The Next Level” and the band’s newest album release titled “Back Down To Earth” which is available on all digital streaming platforms.
