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             GROUP 5
THE BAND

Mark Hatch/Trumpet, Flugelhorn, EVI (Electronic Valve Instrument): Mark is a native of Southern California, and has been active as a performer, composer, and arranger in the Los Angeles music scene for many years. Shortly after graduating from college, Mark started his career by touring and recording as a member of the Ray Charles Orchestra, and then went on to be musical director for Chaka Khan as well as performing and recording with Rufus, Aretha Franklin, Flora Purim, Jeff Richman, Louie Bellson, and many others. As a studio musician, Mark has also played on many motion picture and television scores. His musical activities also include having recorded and performed as a member of several original groups such as Another Language, Secret 9, and Wind & Wire.

Sam Riney/Saxophones, Flute, Bass Clarinet : Sam is originally from Ohio, and attended the prestigious jazz program at North Texas University.  He has had a successful career as a solo  artist recording six albums under his own name.  His "Talk To Me" was the 6th most played jazz album for 1992 as compiled by Radio and Records Magazine. He has recorded or toured as a sideman with Patti Austin, David Benoit, Ray Charles, Bobby Caldwell, Peter Frampton, Chaka Khan, Ricky Martin, Curtis Mayfield, Paul Jackson Jr., Grant Geissman, Larry Carlton, Alphonse Mouzon, Freddie Hubbard and Peter White. Since 1999 Sam has co-led the L.A. based jazz quintet Polychrome. 


Rich Ruttenberg/Piano/Keyboards: Rich was raised in the Chicago area, and after several years playing jazz clubs in Chicago, he moved to Los Angeles and began a 35-year career playing piano and electronic keyboards. He has performed with artists as diverse as Barbara Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, and Jeff Beck. Rich has played on hundreds of recording sessions for TV shows such as The Simpsons and the Star Trek series,  and performs live regularly on the Oscars and the Emmy awards. In the world of film music, he has worked with John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, Alan Silvestri, Mark Isham, Elmer Bernstein,  James Horner, David Newman, Danny Elfman, Randy Newman, and James Newton Howard on movies such as A Beautiful Mind, Toy Story 2, The Royal Tenenbaums, City Slickers, Minority Report, Seabiscuit, What Women Want, and A River Runs Through It. Rich has also released his own solo projects as well as appearing and recording with the Jerry Kalaf Trio.

Domenic Genova/Acoustic Bass: Domenic  is a native Southern Californian, and has been a fixture of the Los Angeles music scene for many years. His experience includes touring with a variety of pop acts including the 5th Dimension, Seals and Crofts, and Melissa Manchester. Domenic has also worked extensively in the TV industry with composer Earle Hagen, and has recorded for shows such as Eight Is Enough, Happy Days, Taxi, Star Trek Generations, Deep Space 9, Voyager, Roseanne, Malcolm In The Middle, King of The Hill,  and Secret Life of the American Teenager. His film score credits include Grease, Clueless, and Matrix Reloaded. Domenic has also played locally with Fred Tackett (from Little Feet), The Jim Cox Trio, The Jerry Kalaf Trio, The Jazz Tap Ensemble, The Tom Rotella Quartet, The Jeff Richman Group, The Louis Durra Trio, and World of Warcraft Blizzcon.

Group 5 is in the wonderful position of having a roster of some incredible drummers that all join us at various times. The musical skills that allow these guys to seamlessly merge into Group 5 also put them in high demand. They all travel and record regularly with the top names in the business. So depending on their availability you may see Group 5 with any one of these great players:

Kendall Kay/Drums: Born in Durban South Africa, Kendall eventually played and recorded with most of the major artists there, including Steve Kekana, Mike Makelemele, Johnny Fourie, Alan Kwela and Izzio Gross. In 1983 Kendall moved to Texas, and studied at North Texas State University, graduating with a degree in Jazz Studies. Kendall arrived in Los Angeles in 1987 and has been playing and recording there ever since with artist including, Rickie Lee Jones, Kenny Burrell, Bob Sheppard, Allan Broadbent, Cecilia Coleman, Phil Upchurch, Bobby Shew, Kyle Eastwood, Clare Fischer, Mary Wilson, Jack Jones, Jeff Beale, Mark Murphy, John Pisano, and Theo Saunders. 

Group 5 Alumni: During their time with the band, these great musicians have played a major part in the evolution of Group 5
Barry Coates/Guitar, Guitar Synth
Charles Frichtel/Bass
Joe Correro/Drums
Tom Brechtlein/Drums


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