ABOUT US

Second Line brings a taste of the bayou to Sonoma County through their blend of Swamp Funk influenced by the music of New Orleans. The band has quickly developed a loyal following that thrive on the energy and party vibe that emanates from the stage during every show. Their musical vocabulary spans Funk, Jazz, Blues, Soul, and Rock from the Crescent City. On any given night, you’ll hear Mardi Gras and New Orleans Funk Classics by The Meters, Neville Brothers, Dr. John, Jon Cleary, Earl King, The Radiators, The Iguanas, Galactic and the inimitable Professor Longhair – plus original music with a spicy Big Easy flair.

Second Line features professional musicians that are current & former members of; It's a Beautiful Day, Big Brother and the Holding Company, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Snooky Flowers, Smoke Inc, and Bill Cutler. The band also features current members of local bands the Pat Jordan Band, The Zins, Stephanie Teel Band, Rhythm Drivers, Rosetown Revue, Mojo Filter, and Travelin’ Soul. The band formed in 2014 as a collaboration of longtime friends that share a passion for the music and culture of New Orleans.

New Orleans Funk is filled with raw, infectious, and downright dirty grooves. Smelly, greasy, fat (phat), and lowdown swamp funk thick as gumbo and nourishing as a barbecue shrimp po-boy. Second Line is defined by a combination of strong, tight melodic grooves, and highly syncopated New Orleans "second-line" rhythms under highly charged guitar and keyboard riffing.

BAND MEMBERS

ANDRE KELLY

Lead Singer

The heart and soul of Second Line comes from our lead singer Andre Kelly. Andre delivers each song with authenticity and authority

VAL FUENTES

Drummer

Val is a professional, passionate musician who began his musical career playing the blues clubs around Chicago where he grew up. At the time he didn't have a clue that he'd soon be playing and recording with bands who now garner Gold and Platinum records. After making his way to the West Coast he quickly became one of the founding members of the legendary San Francisco rock band, Its A Beautiful Day. The band scored a Gold Record with their first album, due largely the popularity of some of the hits that brought them all fame including the award winning and timeless songs “White Bird” and "Girl with No Eyes". It’s A Beautiful Day continues to tour extensively in the US and Europe including gigs at the Royal Albert Hall and Carnegie Hall. Val has also toured and recorded with numerous Bay Area groups including The Zins, Shadowfax, Fat Chance, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Chris Rowan (of The Rowan Brothers), and Linda Imperial Band. Val is a founding member of the It's A Beautiful Day Band and has performed on every one of the It's A Beautiful Day recordings.

ROY SCHMALL

Keyboards

Roy has been a professional musician in the bay area most of his life. In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s Roy played and toured with Big Brother and the Holding Company w/Kathi McDonald and Snooky Flowers. During this time Roy played the Fillmore, The Avalon, and the Family Dog sharing the stage with many legendary artists. In the late 1970’s, Roy cofounded the amazing funk and reggae band “Smoke” which opened for such notables as Peter Tosh, James Brown, Sly Stone, Rick James, Dr. John, and Burning Spear. Smoke Inc made B.A.M. magazine’s top ten independent release list. Roy also played on Bill Cutler’s release “Crossing the Line” which features a who’s-who of bay area musicians including Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Mark Karan, Jorma Kaukonen, Matthew Kelly, David Nelson, Barry Sless, and Dave Torbert.

JIM STICE

Guitar

A few chords shown to him by a sister and a 13th birthday offer of guitar lessons set Jim off on a lifelong path of musical exploration. “ it’s about making your sound, putting your stamp on it.; It’s a chase but that’s the thrill. Every time I pick up a guitar I’m looking for it”. Jim joined his first band at 15 and 38 years later is still following that muse.

MATT PETRUSKA

Bass

Matt Petruska has been entranced with the music of New Orleans since he first saw the Neville Brothers in 1987. Matt's inspired by the King of NOLA funk bass George Porter Jr and byReggie Scanlan.

BRENDAN BUSS

Saxophone

Brendan Buss