Rio-band
... was formed about three years ago by Ken Marshall and Charles Taylor-Stoakes, better known as Tizzy. (We don't know why!) They play acoustic instruments and use influences of latin and world music crossed with popular songs to create Rio.
Recently being joined by Lottie Taylor-Stoakes on vocals and percussion, the band now is even more versatile and appeals across all age groups.
Ken
...was the engineer at Mungo Jerry's recording studio doing albums with Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac and Vincent Crane of Atomic Rooster as well as being a touring member of the band. Before this he was musical director for Tommy Hunt, a Northern Soul singer with hits in the mid seventies. Ken writes and plays many styles of music, guitar being his first instrument with additional keyboards and harmonica.
Tizzy
...had been the major writer in 'more projects than I care to remember' including Tomorrows Party, The Bike Thieves, and Men of Straw. Tizzy mainly plays bass, but sometimes adds 6 string acoustic or dobro for variety, he has the ability to make almost anything swing, which is a great bonus in Rio.
Lottie
...brings female vocals to the party, and along with percussion instruments, is opening new horizons for Rio. She has a great voice and fronts up many of the band's more current songs. With experience in running restaurants and bars, she has a true understanding of what's required from the venue's point of view.
Pete
...is an exceptional drummer. Having worked in bands supporting acts such as Free and Slade and later joining Mungo Jerry with Ken. Recently working more in his studio in film production he now has picked up the sticks again to deliver invention and rhythms that keeps the dance floor full.
Guest musicians
... usually Rio work either as a guitar, bass, and vocal/percussionist trio or a four piece adding drums. However for specified gigs extra players maybe added. This could be extra percussion, piano, sax, in fact almost anything! All our guest musicians are top performers and they always add a new twist to the set.