Drive by Objects in the Mirror

We want to wake up the jaded listener and give them something to get excited about.”

With moods ranging from reflective to rowdy, their sound also rewards the enthusiastic listener, leading one reviewer to describe the band as “musician’s musicians.” “That label is double-edged,” says keyboardist Bob Villwock. “But in an important sense, every listener is a musician and artist of some kind. If we can connect to and inspire that sense of beauty, everyone is elevated.”

The debut recording "Drive" (2004) has been praised for its creative originals seething with improvisation and spontaneity set in a grooving background. Now in its third printing, it is available at iTunes and www.cdbaby.com. Their next highly anticipated release is scheduled for 2007 and promises even more groove, vocals, connection, and beauty.

Objects in the Mirror — Artist biographies

Mark McCartney - drums, vocals

Watching Mark play drums has been described by some as witnessing "a musical monster that has been unchained." Playing many styles from jazz to African to heavy metal to Celtic for the past 35 years, Mark has also studied with prominent L.A. recording artists. In addition to touring with Shana Morrison (Van's daughter), he's played with Claddagh featuring Kevin Brennan from Belfast, Bill Spooner of The Tubes, Ivan Najera, Saul Rayo, and with Greenthings, an alternative band signed to MCA records. Mark and Perry founded Objects in the Mirror in 2002.

Perry Mills – guitar, lead vocals

Originally from Milwaukee, guitarist Perry Mills moved to L.A. early in his career. His playing grew from the influences of soul, R&B, and favorites like Jimi Hendrix, Joe Satriani, and Steely Dan. As a touring musician, he played for Mark Lindsay of Paul Revere & the Raiders, J.J. LaCrosse, The Road Crew, Jeff Ross, and Terry Mansfield. Perry is a prolific songwriter and composer, and has penned some of the band's most dramatic and high-energy favorites, such as "Minor Motion" and "Funkle."

Kit Bailey - percussion

A student of drumming and percussion since 1966, Kit Bailey has performed with symphony orchestras, wind ensembles, big bands, R&B/funk/rock bands, jazz combos, African-style drum and dance troupes, and even Scottish bagpipe bands. He has led drummers of the Funk and Fusion dance group in Nevada City's annual Mardi Gras Parades. Kit continues to pursue a deeper understanding of global rhythms, particularly the wonderful syncopations of the Brazilian, Celtic, Afro-Cuban and West African traditions.

Pat Jacobsen - bass (on this recording)

Born in the San Francisco East Bay area, Pat has been performing for over 30 years with groups including Pacific Brass & Electric, the Buzztones, Holly Penfield, the Mojo Hanna Soul Review, David Ladd & KEZR Jazz All-Stars, Ivan Najera, and Saul Rayo. He is also co-founder of extremeaudio.com and the Auburn JazzFest. He founded PatCo records in 1997. Pat is a lead singer and multi-instrumentalist. He played with and co-produced Objects in the Mirror on this record, and managed and booked the band extensively. Pat left the band in 2005.

Alan Kuehne - bass (presently playing live with the band)

Sacramento's own Alan Kuehne has spent the majority of his musical career in Los Angeles as a studio musician, bassist, and singer. As a jazz bassist he has worked all over Southern California, and his live playing experience is as varied as working with the Righteous Brothers, The Platters, Little Anthony and the Imperials, at Disneyland, and with many others in the studio and on the road. Through Alan's own recording studio in Van Nuys, he worked with Chick Corea, Tower of Power, and Sheila E and has since recorded an album at Corea's Madhatter Studios.

Bob Villwock – keyboards, lead vocals

Bob comes from a family of musicians, which is why he began studying music theory from the age of six. He studied jazz piano with Marshall Griffith at the Cleveland Institute of Music and with Ray Santisi at Berklee College of Music. Central to his many musical influences along the way to finding his own compositional voice, he traces the spine from the progressive rock of Rush, to art-rock of Bruford, to the fusion of the Chick Corea Elektric Band, then everything else. He has played with Bay Area alt-rock band Simon, and more recently with Lorraine Gervais, Bill Douglass, Ivan Najera, and Steelin’ Dan.

Raves and Reviews

"Objects in the Mirror is a world class band with sophistication and class. Their gigs are a guaranteed good time!"

— Michael Manring (world famous bassist and composer)

"From the first fiery guitar entrance on "Funkle" to the CD closing rhythmic 6/8 groove on "Drive," OBJECTS IN THE MIRROR reflect their passion for creativity and commitment to their musical journey as a band. Pat Jacobsen, Perry Mills, Bob Villwock, Kit Bailey & Mark McCartney are a quintet of wonderful musicians having way too much fun!!!"

— Frank Martin (band leader/keyboardist)

"Guitarist Perry Mills has the kind of pinched metallic tone that made Larry Carlton's solos on such [Steely] Dan staples as Green Earrings a delight, and the rest of the quintet has a good feel for what made the Dan's weird, jazzy chord progressions work."

— Jackson Griffith (Sacramento News and Review)

"Solid musicianship."

— Christian Kiefer (Sacramento News and Review)

"I have the good fortune to be able to bring a lot of very talented bands to Nevada City at Cooper's Saloon and I have to say that Objects In The Mirror can hold their own and then some with any of those acts. In fact their recent Steely Dan Tribute put a major big smile on my face. I hadn't heard many of those songs in way too long and with the additional full horn section and backup singer treatments, well trust me these guys would have made Fagen and Becker damn proud. If you saw their last sold out show then you obviously know what I mean, if you happened to miss it, make a point to go see the next one, you won't be disappointed!"

— Mikail Graham (Entertainment Manager Cooper's Saloon & Radio Host)

"Great stuff!"

— Bob Mills (founder, aTTeNTioN sPaN raDiO)

"My sincere congratulations for such an impressive piece of work!!"

— Ovidiu Dumitrescu (European radio host, For The Love of Guitar)

"This show was Great, Fun, and I was thrilled to be there. It was the best time I've had in a long, long time. If you like Steely Dan, you should catch this show. Be there or be square."

— Mike Thornton (Nevada County Radio Personality)

"'Cerebral energy, precise rhythms, a reality which hangs like an aura around your stereo.' This has been said of Steely Dan. These are the same words I would use to describe the band Objects in the Mirror whose chordal voicings and facility of harmonies brought delight to the sold out crowd at the recent concert at the Center for the Arts. What a beautiful interpretation of Steely Dan's music."

— Keith West (Radio Host, Fusion Intrusion show)

"Three years ago five gifted musicians forged their musical talents. The result is a breathtaking jazz fusion band that's perhaps the hottest sound up this way. Guitarist Perry Mills and bassist Pat Jacobsen, both prolific writers, have amassed a stable of creative originals seething with improvisation and spontaneity set in a grooving background cast by drummer Mark McCartney. Add provocative percussion by Kit Bailey and the impeccable keyboards of Bob Villwock and you have a formidable wicked blend of magical jazz."

— Vance Sauter (Auburn JazzFest)

A few excerpts from emails sent after our recent show at the Center for the Arts in Grass Valley...

• "Can't say enough about how much we enjoyed ourselves. Congratulations!"

• "From the outset it was clear that you are all very seasoned players. Nice job on the originals and I truly enjoyed the Steely Dan material..."

• "Wow, what a show! Loved every minute of it. What an awesome collection of musicians!"

• "Ultra tasty..."

• "Awesome music!"

• "I definitely heard Chick Corea's influence. I thought I was back in time listening to Return to Forever for a brief moment..."

Selected Past Live Performances in California

Concerts

• Crocker Art Museum – KSSJ Third Thursday Jazz Series

• Truckee Amphitheatre

• Auburn Library Amphitheatre

• The Center for the Arts (Grass Valley)

• Radisson Hotel Ballroom (Sacramento)

• The Village at Squaw Valley

• Kentucky Mine Amphitheatre (Sierra City)

• Sluchak Park Amphitheatre (Tahoe City/Tahoma)

• Iron Mountain Winery (Penn Valley)

Festivals

• Auburn Jazz Fest

• Jazz Trax Festival at Squaw Valley

• Grape Escape Wine Festival (Sacramento)

• Mandarin Festival (Auburn)

• Empire Mine Jazz Festival

• California Marathon finish line (Sacramento)

• Earth Day at Loma Rica Ranch (Grass Valley)

• Nevada County Fair, KVMR stage

• July Fourth at the Nevada County Fairgrounds

• Alpen WineFest (Squaw Valley)

• Motherlode Reunion (Nevada City)

• Nevada City Summer Nights

• Grass Valley Friday Market

• Auburn Market Night

Tribute Shows at The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley

• Thousands of Fingers: A Tribute to Steely Dan

• Women of Heart and Mind: A Tribute to Joni Mitchell

• The History of Paul Simon tribute

• Concert for Jake (Beatles tribute)

Corporate Events and Parties

• Best of Sacramento Party at the Sacramento Convention Center

• Sacramento Magazine Singles Party

• A Taste of Gold Country (Grass Valley)

• A Matter of Taste (Nevada City)

• Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting

• Lucchesi Winery

Clubs and Restaurants

• Cooper’s (Nevada City)

• Constable Jack’s (Newcastle)

• Powerhouse Pub (Folsom)

• Pistol Pete’s (Auburn)

and more…

Name Dropping

Objects has appeared alongside…

Hip Service, Pablo Cruise, Jeff Kashiwa, Kim Waters, Marion Meadows, Bobby Caldwell, Rick Kelly, Norman Brown, Peabo Bryson, Brenda Russell, Everette Harp, Eric Darius, Lalah Hathaway, Kirk Whalum, Brian Culbertson, Paul Jackson Jr., Ray Obiedo, Pete Escovedo, Frank Martin, Rhiannon, Abe Laboriel, Marc Russo, William Kennedy, Incendio, Carol J. Toca, Paul Kamm and Eleanore Macdonald, Billy Bensing, Power of Twelve, Bodhi Busick.

Objects has shared the stage, performing with…

Michael Manring, Saul Rayo & Cocina del Mundo, Lorraine Gervais, Beth Moore-Haines, Mikail Graham, Grant Reeves, Jerry Grant, Lee Elderton, Walter Webb, Mike Bankston, Glenn Smith, Paul Trethewey, Earth Rhythm Dancers, Elena Powell, Kate Fingerson.

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Thanks for reading this far! For more info email us or visit our website using the links at the left or at www.objectsinthemirror.org.

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