Robert “Sully” Sullivan
SULLY began his music career at the age of 9 at his first paying gig and securing his first recording contract at age 19 with Island Records. Since that time, music has been a central theme in his life.
In addition to being a working-musician, Sully is also a nationally syndicated radio/television talk-host, his shows broadcast weekdays via radio on Clearchannel Media Affiliates, CBS Radio Affiliates, BizTalk Radio Network and Armed Forces Radio network in 175 countries and all the ships at sea and simulcast on network television in over 65 million broadcast homes daily and is heard weekday afternoons on NEWSRADIO AM600 KOGO heard from San Diego to Santa Barbara.
James East
James East's musical journey began in the embrace of a family deeply rooted in music, with his older brother, the renowned bassist Nathan East, serving as a guiding influence. James has built an impressive repertoire, collaborating with a diverse array of artists, from chart-topping sensations like Lionel Richie and Toni Braxton to iconic figures such as Patti LaBelle and James Ingram. His musical versatility has seen him seamlessly navigate various genres and styles, earning him acclaim and admiration from peers and audiences alike. His collaborations extend beyond solo artists to esteemed musicians like Eric Clapton, Tommy Simms, and Patti Austin, as well as renowned bands like Dire Straits Legacy and Band of Brothers.
In addition to his achievements as a performer, James has also made significant contributions as a songwriter and producer, earning Grammy and Emmy award nominations for his work in radio and television. Currently, James serves as the Musical Director for sullvn, where he continues to push the boundaries of musical expression, enriching the world with his talent, passion, and unwavering dedication to his craft.
Bass/Vocals
Tripp Sprague
Tripp Sprague is a saxophonist based out of the San Diego area. He has performed extensively with the area’s top musicians including the band Sullyvn, his brother guitar player Peter Sprague, bassist Bob Magnusson, and pianist Geoffrey Keezer. Tripp‘s musical versatility has led to invitations to perform with international acts such as Kenny Loggins, Smokey Robinson, The Little River Band, Mose Allison, The Temptations and the Four Tops. Tripp has recorded on numerous recordings with such artists as Todd Rundgren and Kim Carnes and. Tripp also runs a recording studio from his home where he has produced and recorded CDs for numerous local artists, as well as producing horn arrangements for the band sullvn.
Sax/Flute/Harp
Tres Hodgens
Tres “Sojourn” Hodgens is a dynamic performer who defies convention by drumming for the band and rapping simultaneously. He has played with indie Hip Hop luminaries Haiku D ‘Etat, and recorded with Abstract Rude, Myka 9 of Freestyle Fellowship, Ras Kass, and KRS One.
As a drummer, he’s played with Nathan East, Billy Davis and Marilyn McCoo of The 5th Dimension, Lester Abrams (writer of Minute by Minute for the Doobie Brothers), Jason Scheff of Chicago, and the late great guitarist Dean Brown.
Drums
Mark Hattersley
sullvn Keyboardist Mark Charles Hattersley is a versatile performer, composer, producer and engineer with a rare combination of technical and creative abilities and experience. Founder of Raging Bohemian Music (BMI), he has worked with national and local artists including Pierce the Veil, The Miracles, Jason Scheff (Chicago), Sydney Sierota (Echosmith), Steve Ferrone (Tom Petty, Chaka Kahn, AWB), Makayla Phillips (American Idol), Kevin Cooper (Ike Turner, Anoushka Shankar), Rebecca Jade (EltonJohn, Sheila E.), Billy Thompson (Doobie Brothers, Bill Payne), Arnie Vilches (Grand Funk), David Van Such (Markus Van Such), Tod Howarth (Frehley’s Comet, Cheap Trick), Patrick Moraz (Yes), Chris Goldsmith (Blind Boys of Alabama), Karlos Paez (B*Side Players), Josquin des Pres, Monette Marino, Latimore, Sara Petite, Carlos Olmeda, Randi Driscol, Larry Groupé and, of course, his prestigious bandmates within sullvn.
Mark also served as President, Vice President and Advisor to the San Diego Songwriters Guild for over 10 years, but his chops extend beyond the creative and into the technical aspects of music production, including mixing, mastering and programming.
Keys/Vocals
Ignacio “NACHO” Sobers is a rumba quinto master and an Afro-Cuban Latin jazz percussionist. He is most famous for being one of the most sought after percussionists in Southern California. He is an integral figure in the fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms with R&B and soul.
Percussion/Vocals
Nacho Sobres
Steve Dillard
Steve Dillard’s first love has always been playing trumpet. He maintains a busy playing schedule and is enjoying a professional performance career spanning over 55 years. Here are the highlights of the artist, tours, and projects that Steve has had the pleasure with to be affiliated: Jimmy Buffett, Huey Lewis, Olivia Newton John, Doc Severinsen, Burt Bacharach, Kenny G, Dennis DeYoung (StyX) Lynyrd Skynyrd, Al Paris (Kool & The Gang), Jason Scheff (Chicago) and the San Diego Symphony and Opera just to name a few.
Steve has been the proprietor for a web based retail shop known to trumpeters around the world, HornTrader.Com, founded in 1998, and is also known as a “Horn Contractor” providing bands in and around San Diego with horn sections for their projects.
Trumpet/Flugelhorn
Brian Jordan
Brian Jordan has graced the stage and been featured with many legendary musicians, including James Brown, Dave Matthews, Bernie Worrell, The Allman Brothers Band, Ray Manzerik, Buddy Miles, George Porter, Jr., and many more. Brian currently plays guitar with The B-Side Players, as well as performs acoustic duo with Karlos Paez of The B-Side Players. In addition, Brian works as session guitarist, bassist and producer. As leader of the “Brian Jordan Band”, Brian brings a unique and heavily charged sound to live audiences across the U.S. Former projects include 12 years (1999 – 2011) as guitarist for the high-energy funk/jazz band, “Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe”; A stint as guitarist in the house band for the NBC TV show, “Last Call with Carson Daily (2006 – 2007); Guitarist with “Ms. Lauryn Hill” (2006), guitarist in the rotating lineup of the art-rock band “Banyan” with Stephen Perkins, the former drummer for Jane’s Addiction (2006 - present).
Guitar
April Leslie is a San Diego native. She received her Master in Music & has had the opportunity to travel the world performing with many different groups including the Tony & Emmy award-winning production Blast!, The San Diego Symphony & Michael Bolton. She is a multi-instrumentalist specializing in saxophones, clarinets & flute. She has performed in all the major venues in San Diego showcasing her broad range of musical talents from classical to afro-cuban styles. Recently she performed with Tito Puente Jr. & the Manny Cepeda Orchestra. April is very excited about the new music coming out with sullvn & Rome from Sublime as she loves how the horns are tastefully incorporated into the music!
Saxophone
April Leslie
Tomoka Nomura-Jarvis
Originally from Gifu, Japan, Tomoka Nomura-Jarvis started to play piano at age 6 and saxophone at age 17. She earned her master's degree in saxophone performance from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She has performed and toured with pop artist Andy Grammer, including appearances on a PBS special," A Capital Fourth," and television shows such as "The Talk.” Tomoka has appeared on NPR's “Tiny Desk” with Rod Wave, ABC’s "Jimmy Kimmel Live" with Fat Joe, Remy Ma and Ty Dalla $ign. She also appeared in a music video for renowned Armenian singer Arman Hovhannisyan and has toured Japan and the United states with legendary Japanese blues singer Kenichi Mikawa. Tomoka is presently a member of Sully band, Jazz in Pink and The Saxations. Tomoka has performed for numerous music festivals including the Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl (2019), Cancun Jazz Festival (2019), Seabreeze Jazz Festival (2019), and the Catalina Jazz Trax Festival (2017). As a performer for U.S. Armed Forces Entertainment (1999-2010), Tomoka performed in over 40 countries for soldiers, ambassadors and other diplomats at U.S. embassies and military bases. Among the countries visited were Kuwait, Kosovo, Ecuador, Germany, Mozambique, and many more. In classical settings, Tomoka performed with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (New York), Dortmund Symphony Orchestra (Germany), and Bemus Bay Pops Orchestra (New York).
Saxophone