BAND BIOS
Jim Santoro is the highly accredited guitarist/songwriter from the 70’s hard rock band Ram Jam (of “Black Betty” fame). “Portrait of the Artist as a Young Ram” is listed as one of the top 100 heavy metal albums of the 1970’s on various charts. After Ram Jam, Jim went on to play with such acts as RPM (Diana Ross' management) and Happy Daze. Happy Daze was the house band for the “Royal Doo-Wop” shows at Radio City as well as the back-up band for The Dick Clark Show (Montreal). After playing back-up to such acts as Bo Diddley, The Jive Five, The Shirelles and The Coasters (among others), Jim began teaching elementary music in East Islip. Today he not only plays with Ovation, but plays at St. Brigid’s church in Westbury with his two boys at a weekly rock mass.
Elissa Hanson has been singing with Ovation for the past eight years. Prior to her involvement, she studied classical voice since the age of seven. Years of vocal training gave her the opportunity to perform in numerous operas, including “La Boheme”, “Hansel and Gretal”, and “Carmina Burana”, to name a few. Singing regularly with DiCapo Opera Co. in NYC, she also was the lead in such musicals as “Oliver” and “The Wizard of Oz.” Elissa won numerous vocal competitions at a young age as well. Classical training has made Elissa capable of singing anything from standards to r&b to rock with ease. For the past eight years she has been a private singing teacher in all areas of music. Today, she also sings at the St Brigid’s rock mass, alongside Jim, and cantors at weddings there as well.
Jonathan Ross has been playing in wedding bands for 30 years, and in Ovation for 13. Outside of the wedding industry, Jonathan was the co-founder of the Long Island Doo-Wop group Risky Business and has shared the stage with such acts as Larry Chance and the Earls and The Excellents. Today Jonathan also is the musical director for Stage Theatre in Merrick as well as teaches music in a local public school.
Mike Tuzzola is a veteran of the wedding band scene. He has been in different reincarnations of Ovation alongside Jim for the past 18 years. He is a gifted singer as well as provides a solid backbone with his drum skills. When hiring a larger band, Mike happily takes to the front of the band as a singer and percussionist.
Billy Santoro, Jim's youngest son, is an amazingly talented musician. With an ear bassists twice his age long for, Billy has stepped up to the plate and far exceeded the expectations of his veteran bandmates. Billy has been playing bass since it was almost as big as he was, and alongside his family in bands for years.
Jason Martinoff is a former client of the band. Jason was added after wowing the group at his own wedding. In November of 2007, Jason joined Ovation on stage to serenade his new bride with the beautiful song "God Only Knows." Due to a tremendous response from guests, he remained up singing challenging songs like "Your Love" and "Livin' On a Prayer." Since that date, Ovation has worked his incredible range and persona into their act. Jason holds a degree in music, but has become known as the singing cop in recent years. He was just given the immense honor of singing backing on "Goodnight Saigon" at Billy Joel's last Shea Stadium concerts.
Bryanna Mazzella has recently been welcomed into Ovation for those clients who want a larger wedding band. An extra female voice adds not only perfect harmonies, but high energy to the event. At a young age, she already has plenty of experience in a band, as she has been singing with Jim and Elissa in their church rock band for five years. She has been one of Elissa's star vocal students since the age of nine.
Dave Turinsky- saxophone
John Anderson- trumpet
Steve Barbieri- trombone
