Intro

A balance of composition and improvisation. Fletch Towell Band seeks to traverse the frontier of creation drifting between influences of Americana, progressive rock, blues, and jazz-fusion. Somewhere along the way we connect with our fans that are both local and worldwide.

The current members began a three-pronged quest: 1) create original music, 2) craft into meaningful recordings, and 3) bring it to the world both live and online. Now in our third year exciting things are happening on all three fronts.

We compose diversely. Sometimes disciplined, but usually building around an impromptu concept developed during a jam in hopes to further develop. Fluid and natural, it all comes together.

Band Summary

In 2013, Mark Martinelli and Jim Dodis were ready for the opportunity. Be part of an original band based on multi-genre composition and performance. The initial spark was immediately recognized as something special. Fletch pulled it together with a soulful and sophisticated voice, guided the process and vision and encouraged the band to explore breadth and freedom.

Fletch’s inherent talent and experience as both a musician and producer paid off and leveraged the band into a unique perspective to the music-making process. Fletch had finally found a drummer with finesse, interpolation, and skill; a dynamic flexibility that would lay the foundation for all compositions and performances. Mark is indeed a young rising star and performer with broad yet subtle influences across all genres.

Jim's gritty yet crafted approach to lead guitar playing is one of the main driving forces behind FTB's distinctive sound in the early recordings and our jam prowess. Jim’s sound is matched by selfless creative exploration, seeking those precious moments of jam band inspiration and exuberance.

Phil Chester joined the band shortly thereafter and things really became compelling. The synergy of performers became solidified. Rooted in concept but free to explore the fringe of improvisational boundaries. His knowledge of theory keeps the band grounded when necessary, but is prepared to venture into the chaos and felicity of the unknown.

The diversity within the band brings a rare, widespread range of genres. Our soul drives us toward Blues, Progressive Rock, Roots Americana, Jazz Fusion, and New Age in the broadest of definitions.

Band Description:

The band is truly collaborative in nature, hence the broad diversity of genres and styles. All members' influences overlap, and each has the opportunity to make their signature on any given song.

Jim, extremely versatile and driving, has a strong background in blues-rock and jam band scenes. His unique style is prevalent on tunes such as "Long Ride Home," "Preacher's Son," and "Dover." He is as comfortable on electric (usually his black Strat, but will venture to many) as he is with acoustic. His acoustic style is markedly different from electric as he changes roles in such songs as "Its Just the Same" and "Sunny Day in July."

Phil is an active bass player who can complement many styles of music. He is an appreciator and also enjoys unusual approaches and occasionally aims to escape relational reasoning and thinking.

In this role he is well paired with Mark on drums. They have been playing together for over ten years now. This relationship allows for their ability to intuitively and instinctively bring a song's energy and structure. While Phil contributes to all arrangements, some unique approaches can be found on songs like "Jangala," "Hide and Seek," and "Pocket Inventory," to name a few.

Mark picked up drums in middle school after having learned a few other band instruments. Right out of the gate his talent, natural feel, and sense of time were realized by all. He rapidly learned to play across a wide range of genres and played with a lot of bands. He is particularly well fitting with jazz/fusion influences but can play all styles effectively.

Discography

Where Are You (single) [2015]

Preachers Son (single) ) [2015]

Jangala (single) [2015]

Heaven Said It All-Live (single) [2014]

The Jams (EP) (2014)

Its Just the Same (single) [2014]

Over Cold Moon (single) [2014]

Wide Open Spaces (single) [2014]

The Jams 14 (EP) [2014]

No String Attached (EP) [2006]

Continuum [2003]

Upcoming:

Feed Your Soul [Fall 2017]

Come On Now Baby – Live (single)

Mind’s Eye – Live (single)

Tell me, Love me (single)

Placements

War of Existence (Independent Documentary)

 (Soundtrack - When the Sun Comes Up)

Venue and Booking Agent info

FTB provides a uplifting show experience with tunes ranging from upbeat to relaxed. Our set list, predominantly original material but with occasional covers, can provide quality performances of up to three hours. Our shows are typically focused on our more energetic material in the category of Blues-Progressive Rock / Roots Americana / Jazz Fusion.

• Organized and professional.
• Reliable and easy to work with.
• Good generic cover draw.
• We have a dedicated Sound man, either standalone or supporting in-house sound folks.
• Full sound system available for up to medium sized venues if required.

Typical event description:

Experience the sights and sounds of humankind's most dynamic and venturesome musical group live at venue.

Original music & covers by Marcus King Band, Weather Report, Grateful Dead, and The Doors.

FletchTowellBand is known for its rootsy yet eclectic style. Philosophical lyrics fuse elements of blues, rock, pop, psychedelia, country, and jazz. Embodying the elemental powers of nature, FTB plays with unification in both groove and improvisation.

"Omnia Est Unum"

Fletch Towell

Stylish, contemporary, and fresh, with a broad range of influences and genres. Fletch is one of the new breed of musicians breaking ground as the new millennium begins. With uninhibited exploration of technology and dedication to perfection and originality, he creates music with a unique combination of blues, jazz, pop and fusion. From ballads to high energy fusion, Fletch remains unencumbered by conventions and tradition.

Fletch has been making music for most all his life. By age ten, Fletch was hooked up with childhood friends and playing live both solo and in bands that performed pop/rock tunes in public venues, churches, and schools.

At age 14 Fletch bought his first Fender Rhodes electric piano, used for $300 bucks. At 130 Lbs, the lovable luggable combined with an echoplex, wah-wah pedal and phaser, allowed him to jam with more local musicians and create more expressive sounds. His music started to take on a jazz flavor more and more, and improvisation became a more and more compelling creative necessity. His hard hitting jazz/blues sound was evolving.

Continuing to play through high school in north New Jersey, he ultimately headed to Berklee and majored in jazz composition and arranging. Comfortable both live and in the studio, works include a wide range of genres from high energy jazz fusion to pop ballads.

Previous Bands & Collaborations:

Blind Eye Willy (Chicagoland blues/funk band)

Velez Brothers (Keyboard select tracks on album European Seduction)

Mark Martinelli

Mark plays drums with passion and breadth, with rock solid timing and a flair for improvisational fluid creation and collaborations. Comfortable in all genres, he thrives in up-tempo energy driven tunes, but also can fall nicely into the pocket at a moment’s notice.

From as long as he can remember, Mark always wanted to be a drummer. At a very early age he began tapping out rhythmic patterns on anything he can get a hold of. It came naturally once he sat down at the kit for the first time.

Initially a trumpet player when young, Mark finally jumped into drums at age 14, when his parents bought him his first kit. His early influences were broad and varied, from Rush to Steely Dan. Mark started out self-taught and then picked up lessons for a couple years. Moving on to studying Jazz drums at Harper College. Often attending drum clinics hosted by a nearby drum shop, he was exposed to many world-renown masters from an early age, including Steve Gadd, Gavin Harrison, Dave Weckl, Omar Hakim, and Russ Miller among others. He rapidly evolved and moved into his first professional gig touring with The 17th Floor at age 19.

Mark frequently provides studio drum tracking for Third Fire Records and Fox River Recording. First album recorded was with "Luminara" in 2011, and continues to collaborate with many local artists.

Influences: Steve Gadd, Pete Ray Biggin, Keith Carlock, George “Spanky” McCurdy, Chris “Daddy” Dave, Bernard “Pretty” Purdie, Chris Coleman, Aaron Spears, Teddy Campbell and Vinnie Colaiuta, John Blackwell, and Rick Marotta

Phil Chester

Phil began playing trombone in 4th grade in 1999 and received his first bass guitar from his parents in 2004. He was first drawn to the instrument by John Entwistle and Chris Squire. In high school he was inspired by Jaco Pastorius, Stanley Clarke, and Paul Jackson and was introduced to the upright bass through the school's jazz combo and pit orchestra. He graduated in 2012 from DePaul University with a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Studies. He continues to be inspired by players of all instruments and artists of all mediums.

Most recently he is influenced by Phil Lesh, Bootsy Collins, Les Claypool, Oteil Burbridge, and Stephen "Thundercat" Bruner.

Phil also provides studio bass tracking for Third Fire Records and Fox River Recording and has contributed and collaborated with many local artists.

Phil and Mark are both active members of the following as well:

Eye & i (Electro-Funk/Reggae)

Buried In Yellow (Dark Folkwave)

On The One (R&B/Soul covers)

The Davenport Project (Rock/Country/Blues covers)

Jim Dodis

Jim started in Detroit and has been playing for over 40 years. He began with bass guitar in high school and cut his teeth on Motown and classic rock. He switched to guitar during college years and never looking back. Jim has developed a deep and grinding blues/rock lead guitar style with a natural instinct with killer leads and solos.

Obsessed with tone and groove, Jim is without doubt the band's lead influence in the jam  compositions and improv sessions. An Engineer by education, Jim maintains a large collection of vintage guitars of all flavors but tends to stay close to his favorite “Black Strat” most of the time.

Previous Bands & Collaborations:

        Blind Eye Willy (Chicagoland blues/funk band)