Sarasota Fusion

Band Members
(past & present)

Robert Nissim (kb), Cameron Kayne (b), Tony Diecidue (dr), Peter BarenBregge (ts, ss, fl), James Varnado (dr), Steve Martinucci (g), Kelly Broadway (voc), Johnnie Barker (b), Bob Miner (ts, fl), Geoff Neuman (el. bass), Ray Williams (dr), Kirk Reyes (b), Rex Bruce (dr), Blake Eberhard (b), Rande Sanderbeck (dr), Frank Abrami (dr), Andrew Chalaire (g)


	Upcoming Gigs
	T.B.A.

Band Story

Mission Statement: The goal is to provide Sarasota with a healthy dose of fusion music! Fusion is a multi-genre style that encompasses Jazz, Blues, Funk, Latin, Rock and Gospel. Its complexity is technically challenging, but a lot of fun to play and listen to.

This band started as a study group of the music of Jeff Lorber.
Founding members Robert Nissim and Cameron Kayne set about learning tunes from Jeff's iconic albums Water Sign (1979) and Wizard Island (1980) in July 2022, and were ready to bring in drummer Tony Diecidue in November 2022. Multi-reed player Peter BarenBregge joined the band 4 weeks later.

Sarasota Fusion occasionally play concerts with a mix of fusion and sophisticated pop songs by artists like Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau and Steely Dan, with guest vocalist Kelly Broadway.

The band has different configurations, according to the venue:

Sarasota Fusion Duo	Sarasota Fusion Trio	Sarasota Fusion Quartet

A duo playing mostly smooth jazz.	A dynamic trio playing reductions of Jeff Lorber Fusion, Peter Horvath, Spyro Gyra, etc.	This is the core band of Sarasota Fusion

A quintet. Budget permitting, we like to add a guitar to the quartet.

Sarasota Fusion has also occasionally added a vocalist, allowing them to play classics by Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Al Jarreau and Steely Dan. This is Sarasota Fusion Plus Vocals;

On March 19, 2024, we had the honor of being included in the Sarasota Jazz Festival Trolley Tour, where we played at LQ On Main in downtown Sarasota.

The band is currently working on developing its own unique identity and sound by writing original material and creating unique arrangements. However, we greatly value the interest and excitement of playing covers of some of the most iconic fusion bands.

Past Gigs

Raffurty's Bar and Grill, 1888 Main St, Sarasota

We're back with a groovy, high energy, double set of classic jazz fusion by iconic composers Jeff Lorber and Peter Horvath.

Friday November 22, 2024 - 6 - 9 PM

Sarasota Fusion (quintet version)
with Robert Nissim (kb), Pete BarenBregge (saxes and flute), Andrew Chalaire (g), Cameron Kayne (el. bass), Frank Abrami (dr)

Jazz On The Water (cruise), Marina Jack II, 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota

Get tickets here

Sunday November 17, 2024 - 2 - 4 PM

Sarasota Fusion (trio + guitar)
with Robert Nissim (kb), Cameron Kayne (el. bass), Frank Abrami (dr), Andrew Chalaire (g)

boat

Raffurty's Bar and Grill, 1888 Main St, Sarasota

Friday October 18, 2024 - 6 - 9 PM

Sarasota Fusion (quartet version)
with Robert Nissim (kb), Pete BarenBregge (saxes and flute), Blake Eberhard (el. bass), Rande Sanderbeck (dr)

First Set

Second Set

Raffurty's Bar and Grill, 1888 Main St, Sarasota

Friday May 10, 2024 - 5:30 - 8:30 PM

Sarasota Fusion (quartet version)
with Robert Nissim (kb), Pete BarenBregge (saxes and flute), Blake Eberhard (el. bass), James Varnado (dr)

Full Concert

Fusion Juice

Raffurty's Bar and Grill, 1888 Main St, Sarasota

Friday March 29, 2024 - 5:30 - 8:30 PM

Sarasota Fusion (quartet + vocals)
with Robert Nissim (kb), Pete BarenBregge (saxes and flute), Rex Bruce (dr), Kirk Reyes (el. bass), Kelly Broadway (voc.)

Sarasota Jazz Festival - Trolley Tour, LQ On Main, 1526 Main St, Sarasota

Tuesday March 19, 2024 - 5:30 - 9:30 PM

Sarasota Fusion (quartet version)
with Robert Nissim (kb), Bob Miner (sax and flute), Ray Williams (dr), Geoff Neuman (el. bass).

Raffurty's, Friday February 2, 2024
CANCELLED BECAUSE OF COLD WEATHER

Sarasota Fusion (quartet + vocals)
with Robert Nissim (kb), Bob Miner (sax and flute), Rande Sanderbeck (dr), Kirk Reyes (el. bass), and special guest Kelly Broadway (voc)

Raffurty's, Friday December 29, 2023

Sarasota Fusion Plays Standards (quartet version)
with Robert Nissim, Peter Barenbregge, Johnny Barker & James Varnado

James Varnado brings his unique funk feel to the band, alongside Johnnie Barker on bass, and Peter Barenbregge on tenor sax for a set of music in which well know jazz standards are reinterpreted in a jazz-funk idiom.

flyer

Robert Nissim, James Varnado, Johnnie Barker, Peter Barenbregge

Full Concert

Raffurty's, Friday November 24th, 2023

Sarasota Fusion (quartet + vocals)
with Robert Nissim, Cameron Kayne, Tony Diecidue, Steve Martinucci & Kelly Broadway

Full Concert

Raffurty's, Friday September 29th, 2023

Sarasota Fusion (trio version)
with Robert Nissim, Cameron Kayne & James Varnado

Full Concert

Wizard Island

Raffurty's, Friday June 9th, 2023

Sarasota Fusion Plays Pop Classics (quartet version)
with Robert Nissim, Cameron Kayne, Tony Diecidue & Peter Barenbregge

flyer

Full Concert