Troy Sandow

I have been playing music since 1996 and have been performing live in Southern California since 2000. I got my start with the talented singer/guitarist Mr. Nathan James, who I played with as a duo before joining the Fremonts in May of 2001. I have continued to play Harmonica and Bass with the Fremonts, along with having a side project with Ben Hernandez called The Nashboro Canecutters. I also currently play with Nathan James as a duo and in his band, and the Olivia Pierson Band.I specialize in the Post-War blues harmonica styles. My approach on the instrument has been to focus on tone, timing, phrasing and subtleties. Over the years I have tried to weed out the fluff and filler working to obtain big fat greasy tone. Some may call it the less is more approach. My biggest influences have been Big Walter Horton, George "Harmonica" Smith, Arthur "Oscar Lee" Williams, all of the Excello harp players, and of course countless others.I have taken the same approach on Bass, keeping it simple and solid. My biggest influence on electric bass has been the Excello bass sound. I have also spent time listening and learning from some of the great Upright Bass players like Ransom Knowling ,Willie Dixon and Bob Moore. Along with the great Blues players that have influenced me I have also found inspiration from some of the legendary Soul, R&B and Country players such as Donald "Duck" Dunn, David Hood, Tommy Cogbill, Carol Kaye, Harold Bradley and James Jamerson.