Robert “Sully” Sullivan
SULLY began his music career at the age of 9 at his first paying gig for the San Diego Women’s Club in 1975 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 National Television personality and Keynote Speaker. His shows are available in over 100 Million US Broadcast homes weekdays on Bloomberg Media Affiliates, Biz Television, FOX, CBS Radio Affiliates, BizTalk Radio Network and Armed Forces Network,“...In 175 countries and all the ships at sea.”
James East
James East is a seasoned musician, songwriter, and producer whose career has been shaped by a lifelong connection to music. Raised in a family of musicians, James was inspired early on by his brother, renowned bassist Nathan East, setting the stage for a dynamic and wide-reaching career.
Over the years, James has performed with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Lionel Richie, Toni Braxton, Patti LaBelle, James Ingram, David Foster, Clint Black, and Sir Elton John. His ability to move effortlessly across genres has made him a sought-after collaborator, working with legendary artists and bands such as Eric Clapton, Tommy Sims, Patti Austin, Dire Straits Legacy, Sergio Mendes, and Band of Brothers.
Beyond the stage, James is a Grammy- and Emmy-nominated songwriter and producer, recognized for his work in both radio and television. He currently serves as the Musical Director for sullvn, where he continues to innovate, inspire, and elevate the musical experience.
With a career defined by passion, versatility, and excellence, James East brings a unique voice and vision to every project he touches.
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 Sullvn, 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 Sobers
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 Manzarek (The Doors), Chris Frantz (Talking Heads), Buddy Miles, George Porter, Jr., Ivan Neville and many more. In addition, Brian works as session guitarist, bassist and producer. Former projects include guitarist for the high-energy funk/jazz band, “Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe” (1999 - 2011); A stint as guitarist in the house band for the NBC TV show, “Last Call with Carson Daly (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). Brian has also toured with The B-Side Players, as well as performed acoustic duos with the band’s frontman, Karlos Paez. And, as leader of the “Brian Jordan Band”, Brian brings a unique and heavily charged sound to live audiences across the U.S.
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 sullvn, 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