Live Band Members

Biography

P.J. OLSSON is a successful solo artist who is signed to Columbia, and has released three albums: Beautifully Insane (TBA); Words For Living (2000); and PJ Olsson (1998.)PJ's full bio


MANNY FOCARAZZO has been playing keyboards for 35 years, and played a set of his own material at Carnegie Hall at the age of 15! Manny has played in the Eric Clapton Tribute band (w/ Godfrey Townsend). He has also played with Carly Simon, Ben Taylor, and country artist Lisa Miller. Manny currently lives in Brooklyn, NY. Manny's full bio


ALASTAIR GREENE. Lead Guitar/Vocals

Guitarist, singer, and songwriter Alastair Greene was born April 18th, 1971 in Santa Barbara, CA and has been a mainstay of the Southern California music scene for over two decades. He discovered music through his mother's piano playing at home and whose record collection included classics by The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, and Elton John, while his father's tastes at the time leaned toward Bach and Beethoven. Alastair was inspired to pursue music as a career by his grandfather, the late Chico Alvarez, who played trumpet as a member of the Stan Kenton Band in the '40s and '50s. Growing up, Alastair took piano lessons and played the saxophone before discovering the guitar in High School. He received a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he studied for two years before returning to southern California to begin playing with Blues and Rock bands in the early ‘90s. Alastair is best known for his blues-based, soulful, and melodic guitar playing and is one of the rare-breed to play slide guitar. He can be heard on CDs by Alan Parsons (2004 release ‘A Valid Path'); Aynsley Dunbar (2008 release ‘Mutiny'); and Blues harmonica legend and member of WAR, Mitch Kashmar (2005 release 'Wake Up and Worry'). Alastair has put out five of his own CDs and is working on his sixth. He has also appeared on countless independent CD releases ranging from Blues and Folk to Southern Rock and Heavy Metal. Alastair continues to record and perform with his own band, as well as with the Alan Parsons Live Project. has been playing keyboards for 35 years, and played a set of his own material at Carnegie Hall at the age of 15! Manny has played in the Eric Clapton Tribute band (w/ Godfrey Townsend). He has also played with Carly Simon, Ben Taylor, and country artist Lisa Miller. Manny currently lives in Brooklyn, NY. Find out more atwww.agsongs.com


DANNY THOMPSON : Drums

Danny joined the Alan Parsons Live Project in March 2010 for their tour of Eastern Europe and The Middle East.

Danny grew up in Marin County California and was fortunate enough to be mentored at a young age by Creek Hart son of Mickey Hart (The Grateful Dead). Dan studied under some of the greats like, Chuck Brown, Terry Bozzio, Dana Miller.

2008: Danny joined the Scott Weiland solo band (Velvet Revolver & Stone Temple Pilots front man) and performed on tracks for Scott's new release, Happy in Galoshes. The band also got the chance to play Jay Leno, Jimmie Kimmel, Carson Daly and toured throughout U.S. and abroad.

2004-07: Danny was a member of The Mother Truckers (Texas based country rockabilly band) on Funzalo Records.

He also worked with Sara Betten (K's choice) and appeared in a number of videos and live performances. Through the years Dan has played with some real pros like Les Claypool (Primus), Mark Rivera (Billie Joel), Vince Neil, Jacob Dylan and Doug Grean.

1998-2003: Protein: a band signed to Sony's W.O.R.K. Group, released 2 full length albums and toured the U.S. with Sugar Ray, No Doubt, Limp Bizkit, Primus and Sublime. Also the band had an MTV Asia Buzz clip.


GUY EREZ: Bass

Born and raised in Israel, music became Guy's life passion at an early age.

In his early twenties, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music. He started performing and recording and was asked to join the teaching staff of LAMA (Los Angeles Music Academy) alongside Alphonso Johnson, Ralph Humphrey and Frank Gambale.

Guy soon built his first studio and became active as a songwriter and producer. His songwriting talent drew the attention of Chrysalis Music Publishing who signed him to a publishing deal.

Among the different artists Guy has worked with are, Sarah Bettens (K's Choice), Gypsy Kings, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ben Taylor, Sara Bareilles, Meredith Brooks, Billy Miles, John-5, Fefe Dobson, Karmina, P.J. Olsson , Will Daily, and Keaton Simon. Guy produced the song “Hey God” by Randy Coleman which was featured on the Oscar winning movie “Crash” soundtrack.

Guy's writing skills have now branched out to writing theme music for TV shows such as The Tom Green show and The Andy Dick show for MTV, I'm With Busy for Comedy Central , The Whitest Kids You Know for IFC and the themes for Marvel/Disney shows like the” Avengers” and ”The Astonishing X Man”.


TODD COOPER: Saxophone/Vocals

TODD COOPER has spent the past 25 years as an accomplished Singer, Songwriter, and Saxophonist. His career has unfolded into a versatile journey through the New York and Nashville music scene. Todd has toured extensively, singing background vocals, playing saxophone and composing for various artists, from Pop to Rock, Folk to Country, and everything in between. He spends much of his time in the studio, working with producers and artists on vocal arrangements for master sessions. Todd is the newest addition to the Alan Parsons Live Project and resides in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife Emma, and daughter, Carli Blue. Todd has also worked with David Foster, Jack Ingram, Radney Foster, Big and Rich, Michael W. Smith, Randy Rogers, Billy Falcon, The Judds, Tinmen, Nathan Lee, Michael English, Kim Boyce, Roger Kreiger, Carman, Fleming & John and many more.


Past Members

GODFREY TOWNSEND has appeared with Alan Parsons during both "Walk Down Abbey Road" tours. Godfrey was a member of The John Entwistle Band and was on both the "Left for Live" (1999) and "Music From Van-Pires" (2000) albums. Godfrey also played guitar on Joe Lynn Turner's "Under Cover, Vol. 2" (1999). Godfrey's full bio

STEVE MURPHY has played drums since he was very young. He's worked with Godfrey Townsend in the past, and played drums on the 2002 "Walk Down Abbey Road" tour. Steve is married with two children and lives outside New York City. Steve's full bio

JOHN MONTAGNA is an accomplished bass player who has recorded solo albums, and has worked with other artists including Francis Dunnery. John's full bio.



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