A Classic Rock/Jimmy Hendrix-Influenced Band

Ronnie Mariano

Guitar & Vocals

 

B​lues/Rock Guitarist Ronnie Mariano has had a forty year love affair with his instrument since he got his first guitar from a neighbor who introduced him to it’s sonic possibilities at age thirteen.

As a music major in high school he continued his pursuit as a guitarist in local R&B bands  Fragile Glass and The Brown-Smith Vibration. Seeking to expand his sound Ronnie began by absorbing the Energetic Blues/Rock Approaches of Seminal Guitar Giants Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana and B.B. King which helped to cultivate his growing affection for Rock and Blues while maintaining a solid foundation in R&B, Rock-N-Roll and Guitar Fusion.

Throughout the late 80’s into the early 2000’s the contributed his unique guitar stylings to local act State of Affairz and eventually  began performing Gospel as featured Guitarist with Contemporary Gospel Artist Reggie McClurkin & The Praise Agenda and the Traditiona Gospel Quartet The Gospel Creators. Presently Ronnie is developing original music for his first CD and has started his own Band “Purple Flo” to perform Classic Rock and to keep Hendrix’s music and contributions to the music industry alive through live performances.

Corey Mabry

Bass/Vocals

Corey Mabry has extensive experience on bass and backing vocals in the Maryland, DC, Virginia, and Pennsylvania region. His musical journey began with alto sax in elementary school, progressed to guitar in high school and then electric bass guitar at the age of 20. His fundamental Rock Influences include Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, The Allman Brothers Band, Phish and the Grateful Dead. His fundamental Jazz Influences include Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, and Dizzy Gillespie. His Classical Influences include J.S.Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven and Idel Biret.

Over the course of his journey, he has mastered a variety of genres through formal training, private lessons, and self-study. He can read chord charts in addition to sheet music, has many recording sessions under his belt and has gigged in bands playing original music as well as covers with bands including the Nanjemoy Creek Boys, Radio Pilots and Risky Business Band.

He is proficient on 4, 5 and 6 string basses; slap and pop; two hand tapping and other bass acrobatics, but what he excels at is playing live, improvisational music that connects the listeners to the groove.

Russell L. Hayward II

Drums

Russell L. Hayward II started playing in the Mid-60's and 70's in Southern Maryland (St. Mary's County) with  The Apollo's Imports, The Midniters, The Chosen Few, and The Dynamic Corvettes. He later performed with the Top 40 groups Split Decision and Person to Person.

In the late 80's he began teaching in The Baltimore City Public School System and joined The Contemporary Rhythm & Soul Group State Of Affairz. In the years 2006-2014 he was the drummer for Blues & Soul Recording Artist "Big Daddy" Stallings and The Bluez Evolution Band. He  also performs in church  and with The Ed Myers Jazz Trio.

"My first influence was Harold T. Herndon, the High School Band Director. Another influence is Frankie Beverly of the group Maze. The drummers I admire are Steve Ferrone, Dennis Chambers, Michael White, Dave Garibaldi, Steve Gadd and Russell L. Hayward, III."

His hobbies are performing and listening to music, spending time with his family, cooking,  and cycling.