Biographies

Bernie Sena

Founder, band leader and lead male vocalist of the Fabulous Ultratones, Bernie brings a multitude of experience and talent to the band. He has been playing, singing and entertaining audiences for well over thirty years. He is an established talent in San Diego and has performed with top bands and musicians every step of the way. His versatility as an entertainer and musician brings a lively and energetic spirit to the band. He plays rhythym guitar, harmonica and percussion, and is known for engaging the audience and bringing the crowds and fans to their feet. Bernie has a great voice and sings as well as the best of them.

Valerie Pierce

The vocal stylings of singing diva sensation, Valerie Pierce. Valerie’s phenomenal stage presence together with her extraordinary sound enhances the listening experience of her audiences, enabling them to not only hear but feel the emotion in the music, whether it be R&B, Jazz, Soul, Rock, Swing, Blues or Gospel.

Kevyn Lettau

Kevyn grew up in Berlin, Germany and in the age of 14 moved to San Diego California. By age 17 she'd caught the singing bug and began working with guitarist Peter Sprague singing jazz, R & Band Brazilian music in and around the San Diego area.
Kevyn got her big break when the legendary Brazilian pianist and bandleader, Sergio Mendes, discovered her (Al Jarreau was a mentor, too). She toured and recorded with Mendes for eight years, developing her own vocal style along the way.
Kevyn's first two solo releases were Kevyn Lettau and Braziljazz. They led to critical acclaim and a loyal following both in the U.S. and abroad, particularly in Japan and the Philippines, where she achieved near-superstar status (Kevyn was a spokesmodel for a soft drink company, featured in multiple television commercials and print ads which ran for years). She is currently the spokesmodel for Philippine Airlines and Sunlife Insurance.

Jeff Barbani

A guitarist since age 14, Jeff began his professional music career at 17. After finishing college Jeff toured nationally and internationally, appearing with numerous artists including Arlo Guthrie, Kris Kristofferson, Don Henley, Michael McDonald, Marshall Tucker, The Outlaws, Willie Nelson, and Leon Russell. Jeff also has two albums and two video soundtracks to his credit.

Chris Brackenbury

With 25 years experience playing drums and singing in Colorado and California, Chris is laying down the beat for the Fabulous Ultratones. During his career he has opened for Pure Prairie League and the Ventures. Chris also played in the big-screen feature film "Mr. Wrong", and at Aaron Spelling's Christmas party at the Beverly Wilshire.

Bob Mathes

Skilled at playing all styles of music on the saxophone and flute, Bob "Mad Dog" Mathes has been a popular side man on the southern California music scene for many years. He has toured and recorded with Cande Kayne, Big Joe Turner, Jimmy Witherspoon, Pee Wee Craton, and Bo Diddly. He is also a veteran of multiple European tours with The Bob Long Band, and has spent time as a member of the American Hawaii cruise line crew band.

Steve Ebner

Steve first picked up a trumpet in the fourth grade and was playing professionally in a dance band by his second year of High School. He continues to play professionally to this day.
Trained at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, he now splits his time between playing and teaching music.
Proficient in many styles of music, he has played with such legendary musicians as Sammy Davis, Jr., Kenny Rogers, Lou Rawls, Patty Page, Bobby Shew, and Poncho Sanchez, as well as many favorite local groups and musicians. As well as The Ultratones, Steve has played with The Big Time Operator and The Soul Persuaders, as well as various local Salsa and Jazz Bands.
Currently, Steve is the leader of The Jazz 88 All-Stars; a group organized to provide an outreach for the non-profit radio station, KSDS.
His film and television credits include: Pearl Harbor and Manhattan, Az.
For the last eight years, he has been the Musical Director for NAMM (North American Musical Manufacture’s Association) which is headquartered in Carlsbad, California.
He is a brass coach for Digueno and Oak Crest Middle in Encinitas as well as the Artistry in Music Program, which includes all 9 Elementary Schools in Encinitas, CA. He also serves as the Band Director for Jefferson Elementary School in Carlsbad.
As a studio musician in Los Angeles working for Bizarre/Planet Records he has recorded with many global and local artists.

Larry White

Singer-songwriter Larry White has long been recognized as one of the top talents in the music business, arranging conducting and performing for Film, TV, Broadway and the Recording Industry.

Larry attended the famous High School of Performing Arts in New York City and attended college at U.C.L.A. After college he toured world-wide, performing with the vocal group "The Sandpipers" whose many hits included "Guantanamera" and "Come Saturday Morning."

After a few years on the road Larry looked for an opportunity to use more of his musical skills. In addition to being on staff as a songwriter with Motown, he then began a long and successful career in musical direction, first in television, and then arranging and conducting for some of the biggest stars in the industry including Kenny Rogers, Dionne Warwick, The Carpenters, Johnny Mathis, Randy Travis, Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdink, Oscar Peterson, Chet Atkins and many more. He also had a special long-time relationship as Musical Director for Dusty Springfield, who in addition to being a dear friend, was Larry's favorite artist. Among the songs he orchestrated for her: “The Look Of Love,” “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me,” and “Son of a Preacher Man.”

Larry has also conducted almost every major symphony orchestra throughout the United States and Canada.

Looking for new challenges, in 1999 Larry returned to his first love... singing and playing his own music... contemporary jazz.

A music critic wrote, "finally, an artist appears that crosses the barrier of contemporary music with a prolific melodic line and chords and changes reminiscent of Bill Evans, Horace Silver, Chuck Mangione & Henry Mancini. Listen to him sing! There's a quality that's unique and beautiful, with exceptional intonation and phrasing... something yet to be discovered by most contemporary singers."

Called "the best musician in Las Vegas" by jazz great Buddy Grecco on a live radio broadcast, Larry decided in 2000 to devote his time exclusively to performing. He became the first choice of the top jazz venues in Las Vegas, as well as performing a one year engagement at San Francisco's famous Fairmont Hotel. He performed the prestigious grand opening engagements for the jazz rooms at both the Venetian and Paris Hotels, as well as being the first jazz artist to open the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas. Other ongoing engagements included the House of Blues and the Blue Note.

Larry has been compared vocally to Al Jarreau, Boz Scaggs and Michael Franks, although his style is uniquely his own. The songs he writes along with co-writer Margaret White (his wife) are a unique blend of Jazz and R&B, with wonderful chord changes and interesting melodies. Their catalog of original material has grown to over 200 songs.

With Grammy recognition for his "Unsolicited Material" CD, as well as increased airplay, Larry is set to record 2 more albums this year, while going out to perform at various jazz festivals and corporate events.

He topped the jazz charts at Amazon.com for an unprecedented two months last year, and in '05-'06 has the continued to top the charts in three separate categories: Smooth Jazz, Jazz Fusion and Jazz Vocals, with the number one most downloaded jazz vocal of '05.

Glen Fisher