I am a guitarist and singer from the New Jersey Shore.  I play in cover bands in addition to writing and performing my own original music.  I focus on Funk/Jazz and soul music, but am a filthy whore who will play anything for money!!!

Nadir - 1990 - 1996
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Basil Fortnight interviews The Soda

BF: It's been difficult getting an interview with The Soda and even today we could only get one of you. We appreciate that you're here but where are your bandmates?

TS: I don't have any bandmates, Basil. It's just me. I'm all The Soda there is.

BF: Play all the instruments by yourself, do you? at the same time?

TS: The Soda isn't a circus act, Basil. I record it one track at a time like all the other solo artists.

BF: Actually, Mr. The Soda, all the other solo artists hire a few musicians to help cut their albums. Don't you think you could benefit from collaborating with others?

TS: I do that too. I play bass in a few bands and I get a lot out of it but I like to keep one project all to myself.

BF: Okay, Greedy McSelfishpants. Now, why do you want to be called The Soda?

TS: I don't. I'm Shaun, The Soda is just what I call the band.

BF: But you don't have a band.

TS: I think you know what I mean.

BF: Okay. We have time for one more question; What do you hope to accomplish with your music?

TS: World peace... just kidding. That really is a dumb question though. I'm not trying to accomplish anything. Like, what are you trying to accomplish by doing this?

BF: Doing what?

TS: I don't know... this interview, I guess.

BF: And That's all the time we have. I'm Basil Fortnight and I've been talking with The Soda.



I write custom tailored music for people that want music for their project (whatever that might be). Send me an email & we can negotiate a price for the creation of music that is right for your project. 

Looking for beginner-intermediate virtual lessons on saxophone, flute, clarinet, trumpet, F horn, trombone, baritone horn, tuba, percussion, drum set, ukulele, recorder, harmonica, piano, etc. (winds mostly)? Music theory, music tech & song writing lessons too. Email me :)

Now on to the formal Bio: 

John E Brigante holds a B.A. in Music Education (primary instrument: baritone saxophone) from the John J. Cali School of Music (Montclair State University). He has studied classical, jazz and rock as well having experience arranging/composing music for various ensembles. He has extensive recording experience including 5 albums and several session gigs. He has over 20 years of experience teaching musicians of all ages and has a passion for bringing out the best in his students. He also has an avid interest in music education technology and uses many different programs in his music lessons and classes. He is currently the middle school band director in Rutherford, NJ.  

John E Brigante also sings and plays saxophone professionally. He is also highly skilled at playing flute, clarinet, trumpet, F horn, bass trumpet, harmonica, ukulele, drum set & various auxiliary wind & percussion instruments. Below is a breakdown of John E Brigante’s performance experience:    

Since 1997, he has sung and played in live bands performing various styles of music such as: 

•	Ska
•	Punk
•	Reggae
•	Rock
•	Funk
•	Jazz 
•	Salsa
•	Cumbia
•	Merengue

He has played in several bands such as: 

•	The Eastern Lights (Ska-Punk) 
•	Soft Shoes (Indie Rock) 
•	Professor Plum (3rd Wave Ska) 
•	Klax (Funk/Jazz/Eclectic) 
•	Boss Relief (Ska-Fusion/Eclectic) 
•	TropyBand Orquesta (Salsa, Cumbia, Merengue)
•	StankTank (Funk/Soul/Jam)

He has opened for notable acts such as: 

•	The Mighty Mighty Bosstones 
•	The English Beat 
•	Reel Big Fish 
•	Fishbone 
•	The Slackers 
•	The Rx Bandits 
•	Catch 22 
•	King Django 
•	The Pietasters 
•	The Toasters 
•	Badfish (Sublime tribute band). 

He has toured the east coast and has played on many distinguished stages such as: 

•	B.B. King's Blues Club (NYC) 
•	The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) 
•	The Birch Hill (Old Bridge, NJ) 
•	The Lion’s Den (NYC) 
•	The Tradewinds (South Jersey) 
•	Club Krome (Central Jersey) 
•	The Knitting Factory (NYC) 
•	Mexicali Blues (Teaneck, NJ) 
•	The Capital Theatre (Port Chester, NY)

*****John E Brigante is currently studying his masters degree in music technology. He is actively writing, recording & producing his original music in styles of Musique Concrète (Digital Sound Collage), Samba + other Latin styles, EDM/IDM, Found Object Music, Comedy Music, Ska, Reggae, Rock, Funk, Chamber Music (Sax Quartet, etc.) and potentially any other style that suits his fancy (or your fancy if the price is right ;). Eclecticism as a way of life*****

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