The Band
Adrienne Nails
Lead Vocalist
Adrienne Nails
Adrienne is the beautiful and talented lead vocalist of The Shaded Soul Band. Adrienne writes and creates her own music. This rising talent is a well-known performer in her hometown of Hartford, CT. Adrienne was gifted with a special talent to sing. She started singing at a very early age in her church choir. Adrienne graduated from Hartford Public High School where she was involved in the School Choir and Musical Theater. She’s done volunteer work for the School of Performing Arts. She graduated from John Casablanca Modeling Agency. She also graduated from the Soap Set Acting School.
Adrienne has been featured in the international movie “Enormity”, with stars Van Vicker and Sana Kanu. She has achieved a Master’s of Management Degree and an Information Technology certification from Cambridge College. She also has a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Saint Joseph’s University.
Adrienne has performed with such performers as Jerry Butler, The Platters and Shirley Murdock. She’s opened up for Gladys Knight at the Oakdale Theater, The Stylistics,The Shy-lites, Delfonics, Main Ingredient, and Cuba Gooding, Sr. at the Palace Theater and Jagged Edge at Bushnell Park.
Adrienne has toured and performed in Africa as well as several European countries such as England, Germany, Holland and Switzerland.She also enjoys doing voiceovers where she’s had the opportunity to have her voice displayed by Hasbro for the game “Trouble” which was named game of the year in 2005. She’s currently featured on a television commercial for CEA (Connecticut Education Association). Adrienne landed a writer’s deal for Ashro Records. Adrienne has performed for Community Auditions at Foxwoods and played the role of Nell Carter in “Ain’t Misbehavin’ in The Fats Waller Musical. She has released a cd titled “Transitions”, and a Gospel cd titled “It’s Time to Pray”. Adrienne truly loves performing it’s an integral part of her inner soul and spirit.
Joey (JJ) Martin
Lead Vocalist
Joey (JJ) Martin
J.J. Martin is the newest member of the shaded Soul Band , and was born and raised in Naugatuck , Ct J.J has performed with Grammy award winning recording artists including Kenny Rogers , Kenny Loggins and Andy Williams , and recently fulfilled a lifelong dream and performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City . His influences include Donny Hathaway , Billy Joel , George Benson , Bill Withers, Tower Of Power , and the Great Stevie Wonder just to name a few ,and he remains busy performing with other projects including ,” Rubber City” , “Pocket Full of Soul” , “On the Serious Side” and Parkway Diner . While J.J. has truly been blessed with many opportunites music has brought to him over the years , he credits his current band mates and friends of Rubber City for all of the musical fortunes that have come his way . J.J. writes , “All of the musical endeavors I’m a part of today are a direct result of the opportunity I was first given by Rubber City over 7 years ago , and for that, I am eternally grateful “
Christina Billings
Lead Vocalist
Christina Billings
Born into a family of musicians, Christina Billings began her musical studies at the age of three, taking Suzuki violin and piano lessons. All throughout her school years, Christina participated in all types of band and choral groups. Since graduating from Hartford Conservatory of Music, Christina starred in and directed numerous community musical theater productions, had a private teaching practice and performed with many famous musicians such as Barry Manilow and Sarah Brightman.
Christina Billings has sung all her life and is very happy to be singing with the Shaded Soul Band.
Anthony Masi
Tenor Sax, Alto Sax, Soprano Sax, Flute & Vocals
Anthony Masi
Anthony started play at 8 years old. Started playing in clubs at 14 years old. Anthony studied as a CW Post College undergrad, as well as Manhattan Ville as a post grad. He went on to study Jazz Improv with Jazz Master Sal Mosca. Anthony has played with many well know acts. The latest The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Four Seasons and The Marshall Tucker Band to name a few. Anthony has done studio work for numerous acts and commercials. He has been an active voting member of The Grammy’s since 1988. To add further to his resume, he has been teaching privately for over 30 years and teaching for the Port Chester High School Band and Jazz Band for 24 years. Anthony is in the studio recording a CD of original material with the band Off The Grid (OTG).
Anthony is presently playing with The Shaded Soul Band.
Renee Prescott
Keyboards, Vocals & Band Leader
Renee Prescott
Renee Prescott is the Leader and Founder of The Shaded Soul Band. Renee started playing the keyboards at the age of 8. During high school she learned to play the trumpet. Renee continued her journey of music playing with the Charter Oak Conference Orchestra where she found great pleasure in working with various talented musicians. Renee attended The University of Connecticut where she continued studying music and worked on her songwriting skills.
Renee established the Shaded Soul Band in 1985. The band has opened up for such groups as “The Four Tops”, “Sister Sledge”, Three Dog Night”, “Alicia Bridges”, and “Mario”. They also opened up for comedians “Howie Mandel”, “Karen Williamson” and “Susan Westenhoffer”. Renee’s professionalism and experience continues to gain great recognition for the Shaded Soul Band. They have been voted #1 Wedding Band in CT by Hartford Magazine Reader’s Choice, Reverie Galleries most coveted professionals Readers Choice Awards and The Best of the Knot, Wedding Wires Couple’s Choice Award.
Renee has a love for Oldies but Goodies. She loves helping and teaching others how to get started in music. You can also find Renee mixing and turning the tables as a “DJ” during a gig or private party. Renee tailors to everyone needs and is sure to give you exactly what you need.
Tom Perrone
Guitar & Vocals
Tom Perrone
Tom started playing the guitar at 12 years old. He studied music at Hartt School of music and Central CT State College. Tom was taught by the premier jazz guitarist Jim Hall. Tom has had the honor of being one of the highly ranked professionals to teach at The National Guitar Workshop Clinics. During his career Tom has been with bands that have opened for The SOS Band and The Gap Band.
Sarra Cardile
Drums & Percussion
Sarra Cardile
Sarra has been playing drums for 12 years. She started attending drum clinics every chance she could and this took her journey to another level. Sarra has studied with drummers, Rich Redmond (Jason Aldean), Jim Riley (Rascal Flatts), Sean Fuller (Florida Georgia Line), Ray Luzier (Korn), Gregg Bissonette (Ringo Star All Star), Brian Frasier Moore (Justin Timberlake and Madonna) to name a few. Sarra has been invited onstage to play with Big and Rich and has played soundcheck for Jason Aldean. Sarra also competed in the online international female drumming competition called “Hit Like A Girl” and won the first annual Joe Hibbs Memorial Scholarship the first year. The second year Sarra competed she took 4th in the world and was the most popular video entry.
Robert Turek
Bass Guitar-Vocals
Robert Turek
Bob (“BT”) Turek has been the bass player and vocalist for the Shaded Soul Band since January 2017. A full time musician for over 50 years, he attended the Hartford Conservatory where he studied music theory, ear training, composition, and string bass, and taught bass privately for decades. He also studied voice with the legendary Marty Lawrence from New York City. Affiliations with the following musician’s unions include: Local #449, #186, #285, and NYC #802.
Groups like the Young Rascals, Chicago, Blood Sweat & Tears, Steely Dan, Pat Metheny and many others formed his early influences.
BT has played behind Vic Damone and Tony Bennett. Throughout the years he also played in bands that opened for: Janis Joplin, The Beach Boys and Steppenwolf to name a few. He worked for many New York agencies including Hank Lane Music, and many other ethnic groups in the tri-state area; some of whom travelled the world on cruise ships.
BT continues to write and record his own original compositions with other local musicians. His knowledge, experience, attitude and personality has enabled him to be a valuable and integral part of any live or recorded musical situation.
His motto: “It’s all about the music.”
Bill Rood
Tenor Sax, Alto Sax, Flute & Keyboards
Bill Rood
Bill has been performing professionally throughout the New England area since the age of sixteen. He is a graduate of the Hartt School of Music where he studied saxophone and earned a degree in Music Education. While teaching music in the public schools for the past eighteen years, Bill has devoted his life to musical and creative pursuits and continues to perform at events all around CT.