mia fanali- lead vocals
Mia has been singing/performing since she was 9 years old. Mia, singer/songwriter and Live It Loud Records recording artist, released her debut original album, Let Me Introduce Myself, in 2011. You will mostly find her out at local venues doing a nice mix of Funk, Soul , Rock-n-Roll, R&B, Disco, Top 40 and more. Mia’s performances are soulful, energetic and engaging. You have to come to a show to see the Riff’s live version of Proud Mary. She does a mean Tina Turner! She loves to share the gift of her voice with the world!
carl gent- vocals and RHYTHM guitar
At the age of 9, Gent saw his sister's recital and was blown away by all the dancing girls in tights. After weeks of pestering his parents to let him "find himself" by becoming a performer, they finally gave in and let him join. Soon he was crooning on stage to all the same girls, but there was more - an audience. He was addicted. At the age of 13 crooning just wasn't doing it anymore. Carl heard a new sound coming from his brothers bedroom ....Rock-n-Roll! Now in high school Carl met other musicians, formed a band and started playing the circuit . At the turn of the century Carl met Mia at an open mic he was running and they hit it off so well that she invited Carl to join her band, the Riff, and they have been singing in harmony ever since!
Steven Capozzi- Lead Guitar/backing vocals
After graduating the University of Miami’s Music School, Steve-o has taken both his songwriting skills and his signature guitar sound and style out on the road. He has become an integral part of many local original bands throughout New England , including sharing the stage with acts such as Whitesnake, Puddle of Mudd, Fuel, Hinder, Tantric, White Lion, Queesnsryche Saving Able and more. Always up for a challenge, this rocker has a funky and soulful side.
Joe sanchez- Bass Guitar/backing vocals
Joe Sanchez was born in Manati, Puerto Rico and relocated with his family to the United States when he was 3 years old. Joe's love for music began at an early age when he experienced Elvis Presley for the first time. He started playing the electric bass guitar at the age of 15. Over the years he has played and recorded across many genres of music, including Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, Rock, Top 40, Afro-Cuban and Latin Jazz. Joe has been a freelance musician for almost 40 years performing at National Festivals, Theaters, Club Circuits, Private Events, Session Work, and clinics. In addition Joe has been teaching privately for over 20 years. He is also featured on 5 time Grammy winner Victor Wooten’s Groove Workshop DVD. True to his belief that learning should be an ongoing endeavor, Joe has studied extensively with Matthew Garrison, and also studied with John Patitucci and Lincoln Goines and also is an alumnus of Victor Wooten's Center for Music And Nature. (Joe endorses Fodera Basses and Strings and Trickfish Amplification)
mike marble- drums
Mike has played drums in more bands than he can remember, not to mention all the recording sessions! Currently he is a member of The Mars Project along with John “Ratso” Gerardi and Angel Rissoff. He can also be seen playing the role of Stewart Copeland in The Police Files, a Police tribute band, along with NYC studio guitar legend Ira Siegel and JimKeneally.Here is just a sampling of other bands and/or musicians that Mike has performed or recorded with: Arlen Roth; Nick Moroch;Porter Carroll, Jr.; Bobby Brooks Hamilton (Jackie Wilson’s son); “New York Blues Queen” Roxy Perry “In My Sweet Time”; The Long Shadows Band (out of NYC and North Carolina) “Angels in a Battlezone”; Tracey Marble (his most excellent wife!); The Heroes; Otis and The Hurricanes; MargaretMcGlinn; Bill Kirchen; Steve Johnson; Dan Hovey; Scott Spray; Johnny “Boots” Giannicchi; Paul Opalach; Bar Scott “Silence is Broken”; Doug Wahlberg; Shimmy Maki; Lincoln Schleifer; Marvin Stamm; Matt Rae “High Strung”; Kathryn Davies; Tony Ferrigno; Jesse Terry, Andy Abel; Dave Webster (Chris Webby’s dad!)“Dance on the Moon”; Susan Piper “The Truth Comes Out”; Bill Foley “Trials, Tribulations, and Sordid Details”; Artie Tobia; Of “Two Versions”… Mike is known for his rock-solid groove, enthusiasm, love of performing, and seriously high jumps off his drum seat at the end of certain songs!
Darren J. stec- Keyboards/backing vocals
Darren has been playing live since the age of 15 where he played jazz standards at a speakeasy-style bar in Worcester, MA. Since then, he has played jazz, blues, metal, funk, grunge, polka, country, punk, and classical music in about every type of setting. Live performance highlights include being the opening acts for Maceo Parker, Bernie Worrell, Galactica, July 4 th performances in NY Harbor, and Boomer Esiason’s “Run For a Cause” benefit in Central Park. In addition to keyboards, he also plays saxophone, flute, clarinet, guitar and harmonica. Darren is also a music education graduate of Manhattanville College, and has taught instrumental music in public school to 4 th and 5 th graders for over 15 years. Always ready with a joke and a song, Darren is ready to make you smile and dance!
Jon saxon- Saxophone
Jon Saxon grew up in Fairfield County, earned a Music Education degree at the University of Bridgeport, and has been performing in the New York tri-state area for over 35 years. Some of the more well-known artists Jon has performed with include The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Rascals, The Belmonts, and Larry Chance and the Earls. Jon maintains a busy schedule on the local music scene playing with groups covering a wide range of styles, including rock, funk, blues, jazz, big band, and Broadway show music. However, he found a home with Mia & the Riff and has been a band member for over 10 years now. You can learn more about Jon and his music at jonnysax.com.
Gene Skowronski Jr.- Sound/lights/dj
Gene, Mia's husband, started playing piano at a very young age and always had a love for music. Later in life, he took up the drums. When he's not building homes or playing his drums, he's running the sound board and light show for Mia & the Riff! He is also the band's resident DJ! He tirelessly sets up the band and breaks it all down at the end of the night! He says, "I love every minute of it"!