Straight Up & Mario Jose December 10, 2010

Straight Up is an R&B/Hip Hop band that covers old school covers from the 70’s to the early 2000’s and original music and has been together for roughly two years. Members of the band are Doneil Curwen, Matthew Hines, Paul Jefferson, Andy Merrill, Evan DiGiambattista, Massimo Buonnano and front man, Brandon H. Allen. The group loves the messages and the “soul” of older music before the industry became too much like the fast food industry. They excel at taking the audience through the past with their repertoire and making the audience dance and reminisce on younger days. Most members of Straight Up have already been playing music with each other previously in the student led Prince Tribute Ensemble and because of this, there is a great chemistry between the band members. Straight Up wants to keep the old school music ever present in the consciousness of the people because they know they wouldn’t be the musicians they are and current music couldn’t be what it is without the old school jams.

San Francisco Bay Area native, Mario Jose has been singing and performing since he was just a little guy. Mario is 21 years old and is currently studying at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. His first paying gig was at the young age of seven! Mario also has had the honor to perform in some of Berklee's biggest shows the school produces, and has shared the stage with Music Legends! He has performed in The African American Composer’s Concert with Patrice Rushen, The American Idol Vocal Clinic with Dorian Holley, Shining Stars: The Music of Earth, Wind and Fire with special guest Philip Bailey, The Great American Songbook: The Music of Motown, Berklee's Encore Gala, Berklee Meets Don Was featuring Don Was and the Singer's Showcase (Spring '09 & Fall '09, Spring '10) where he shared the stage with Paula Cole, Darcel Wilson and Lalah Hathaway!

Official Website: http://www.cafe939.com/