Colin Dawson - Guitars
Colin Dawson began playing guitar at the age of 14. His first influences came from US blues and British blues scene players in 1960s.
He played in various blues, soul and rock bands, and eventually co-formed progressive rock band Fusion Orchestra, turning professional and touring extensively with the band for around five years.
During this time, Fusion Orchestra signed to EMI and made one album (Skeleton In Armour) at Abbey Road Studios. The critically acclaimed album is still much sought after.
Col Dawson has played in several bands since but thanks to the tremendous interest that remains in the band, was persuaded to co-form Fusion Orchestra 2 with keyboard player Ben Bell, to play music from the album Skeleton In Armour plus new material in the same vein.
Col Dawson describes his musical influences as "almost everything I've ever heard, one way or another, and too numerous to mention".
He plays a Gibson Firebird V, Fender Texas Special Fat Stratocaster, Fender Fat Telecaster and Fernandes Ravelle Elite Sustainer guitars. Amplification comprises a Marshall 602 TSL with 2x12 extension cabinet and a Vox AC30 given to him by Bryan Adams.
Ben Bell - Keyboards
Ben Bell has been playing keyboards of one form or another since he could clamber onto a piano stool but can trace the moment he no longer wished he'd been a guitarist or drummer back to the day he was woken by a neighbour playing Deep Purple at full volume in the early hours of the morning.
Having moved to Surrey in 2001 he placed an advert for a bassist and drummer to form a three piece prog/blues/rock band and the only reply was from Colin, asking what he had against guitarists! They have played together, in several different bands, ever since.
On stage Ben plays a Hammond XK3c, Yamaha P80 and Clavia Nord Stage through Motion Sound amplification.
Jo Hollands - Vocals
Jo Hollands first started performing on stage at the age of two and has been involved in music, dance and drama ever since. She joined the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts at the age of twenty.
The band knew Jo was the right person for the job before she'd finished singing the first verse of Sonata In Z during her audition and as well as doing the original songs justice her lyrics and melodies have breathed life into the new material.
Mark Eckersley - Drums
Mark, one of the finest drummers around, plays rock and prog with feel and groove. He is meticulous about working with the bass player and tireless in honing the rhythm section parts. On stage, Mark plays a Pearl kit with Sabian cymbals. He has no need for amplification in all but the largest venues.
