M&M Group Entertainment Artist

SUGARAY & THE BROTHERS FUNK: BIO

Sugaray - Lead Vocals

Sugaray & The Brothers Funk are a high energy soul, funk and R&B band. They are the ultimate party band for any occasion, from corporate to private functions. Sugaray has shared the stage with many prestigious acts, such as The Average White Band, Super Diamond & Dennis Quaid to name a few. Sugaray & The Brothers Funk can help make your function an overwhelming success.

Texas born Sugaray began his musical career at the age of 7, singing gospel songs in church. He has performed with many notable artists, including Alex Ligertwood (Santana), Slash (Guns N Roses) & Joe Luis Walker to name a few. When Sugaray belts out a song, you not only hear it you feel it. With his dynamic voice, you hear echoes of Otis Redding and Teddy Pendergrass. His fluid dance steps will remind you of the Legendary James Brown. When he performs you will find it hard to stay in your seat, and before you know it you will find yourself on your feet, having a great time dancing the night away.

Dwane Hathorn - Drums

Dwane grew up in Compton, CA. He was raised on blues, jazz, big band, & R&B. This diverse background gives Dwane a broad prospective when it comes to music. He has performed/collaborated with Marshall Hawkins (Miles Davis), Chubby Jackson, Harold Land, Bob Boss, Bill McGee, Greg Crockett (Motown), Stan Smith (Bernie Mack Show), and many others.

Bastos Moenho - Percussion

Born in Angola-Africa, a self taught percussionist and singer, Bastos sings in his native Portuguese and in English. He relocated to Portugal in 1975 where he performed with African, Brazilian and European artists throughout Western Europe. In 1991 he moved to Southern California and has played a wide range of musical genres such as Reggae, Rock, Funk, Jazz and Latin Jazz with groups in San Diego and Los Angeles areas. Moe now resides in Southern California, and continues to play the blues with Aunt Kizzy'z Boyz.

Paul "Paulie" Cougill - Keyboards

Paulie started playing guitar at the age of 12 and a short time later went on to study piano. Besides playing piano, organ and guitar he also plays harmonica and is working on the banjo. Born and raised in Oregon, Paul came to San Diego by way of Texas. It was in Texas where he first started playing in bands. His musical influences stem from all types of music but he feels a very strong connection with funk and southern blues from his exposure to what he was listening to in the 70's which shows in his style of playing. Paul's credits include time spent playing with The Eve Selis band, The Siers Brothers, Hot Monkey Love & The Glenn Jeffry band to name a few.

Chet Smith - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Guitar,Vocals

Born and raised in Fontana, CA, Chet began playing professionally at the age of18. He has performed at countless musical shows, civic light operas, circus bands, club dates, recording sessions and concerts, playing all styles of music. He signed with Arista Records in an original band in early nineties. He taught at the University of California, Riverside for eight years, teaching the jazz combo and the rhythm section for the big band and private students. He taught private students at the University of La Verne for five years. He also played with premier Los Angeles jazz guitarist Rick Zunigar for two years. He is also a songwriter and has written over one hundred songs.

Charles "Sugar Bear" Walker - Tenor, Alto & Soprano Saxophone

Sugar Bear was born in Huntsville, Texas. He started playing professionally at twenty-one. He has played with blues legends such as Slim Harpo, Bobby Blue Bland, Jackie Lee & Johnny Taylor. He led own group "Cool Heat" for eight years playing throughout Texas. He currently plays clubs throughout Southern California.

Martin Tramil - Bass

MarTmar began playing guitar at age ten, picked up his first bass at eleven and started playing drums and percussion in the school band at twelve. Martin also was fortunate enough to learn from his father, who is a second generation blues guitarist. By age thirteen Martin had played his first "professional" gig and formed his own band at fifteen.

Moving to San Diego at the tender age of eighteen, Martin kicked around the local scene for six years before hooking up with Wille Jaye The Texas Hurricane at twenty-four. Martin has opened shows for the likes of Billy Preston, EEK-A-MOUSE, Joe Louis Walker, Thin Lizzy and many famous Chicago Bluesmen.

Over the last 15 years, over 2700 shows, from the smallest dives to the Starlight Bowl, Street Scene and MTV's Spring Break, have made MarTmar a captivating live performer as well as an accomplished studio musician.

Jim King - Guitar

Jim King's soulful sounds have been burning up So. CA for over 25 years. A native Californian, Jim was born in Lake Arrowhead and raised in coastal LA area. Jim has played in numerous blues bands including Maxx, Tonnage, Holy Smoke, R.M.B.P., and King James and the Blues Testament. King's solo debut album garnered rave reviews. He has performed with Alex Ligertwood (Santana), Chuck Kavooras (The Slide God), Gary Malliber (Steve Miller), Tommy Ere (Joe Cocker) and many other notable artists.

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