A Cut Above
... Live music for all occasions
Joe Demaio
Musical Director/ Guitarist/ Vocals: Joe has been playing the guitar since the age of 11 years old. He is considered by his peers to be a gifted guitarist and truly one of the most respected musicians in the New York area. As one of the co-owners of, "A Cut Above," Joe takes enormous pride in making sure the music is "just right." Joe has worked with a vast array of immortal artists such as, The Drifters, Donald Fagan, and members of Pat Benatar, Steely Dan, James Taylor, David Bowie, Tower of Power , The David Letterman Band, Spyro Gyra, and Pat Metheny. From 2003 to 2006 Joe was the guitarist for the Grammy Award winning artist, Ashanti. He has played in many of New York’s Finest Venues, including Madison Square Garden, The Westbury Music Fair, The Meadowlands, Nassau Coliseum, Saint Lucia Jazz Festival, as well as numerous society and wedding gigs at such places as, Tavern on the Green, The Waldorf Astoria, The Plaza, and The Rainbow Room, just to name a few. As musical Director of, "A Cut Above", he has the privilege of working with some of New York ’s top flight musical talent and leading the way with his decades of musical experience. When you hire Joe DeMaio and A Cut Above, your affair will truly be an event to remember.
Sonia Montanez
Lead Vocals:
Sonia has been singing since the age of 4 and has not stopped since.she is a classically trained singer, but she is a true soul singer at heart.She has done reference work at the "hit factory "studio in NYC for "Blu Cantrell" and is also a featured artist on the album" love affair" by independent artist "Drea". As the front and lead vocalist for A Cut Above, Sonia Montanez has proven that big surprises do indeed come in small packages. With a vocal style that only exemplifies the true meaning of Soul and R&B, Sonia is one of the areas true gems. She fills the room with her ”big” voice while belting out a dance tune or subtly sways your eyes and ears to the stage with her passionate ballads. Her presence as the lead vocalist for A Cut Above will entertain your guests and please their senses.
Joe Torres
lead Vocals, percussion, sound:
Joe Torres has been singing since the age of 7. His talents are many and include imitating numerous artists and harmonizing with perfection. Joe has performed with Long Island bands of various Genres (Top 40s, Rock, Jazz, Country, Oldies, Heavy Metal, Disco, etc.). Joe is also skilled as a sound engineer. He has toured with the nations #1 dance band "Soul Solution ", and has engineered sound at the 2004 Republican National Convention Parties, Inauguration Parties for President George W. Bush, Tom Brokaw’s NBC Send-off Party, Joey Fatone of (N'Sync) wedding, and he has worked for Michael McDonald and Joan Rivers. In his current musical venture, A Cut Above, Joe is co-owner, lead and background vocalist, percussionist, and engineers sound for the band. His diverse talents keep him musically fulfilled. Joe is always the professional, making sure your party is the best, and always "A Cut Above".
Joe Martinez
Bass: Joe picked up his first Bass at the young age of 16, and has not put it down since. Playing with bands of all genres, his experience was acknowledged in the late 1980’s when he signed on with the infamous "Chubby Checker" and a few years later with “Irene Cara". Playing many venues across the nation and internationally from New York to Budokon in Japan, he also has held the honor of being on the legendary American Bandstand with Dick Clark, has played the Palomino club in L.A. with Chubby Checker, and with Willie Nelson and Mickey Gilles in Texas. Joe’s bass playing has also earned him a fine reputation by playing the top NYC clubs such as, The Peppermint Lounge, The China Club, Studio 54, The Bottom Line and many other premier venues across the United States. As the bassist for "A Cut Above", Joe keeps the bottom from falling out and his impeccable thumping bass keeps the feet moving on the dance floor. In the band he is always, "In the Pocket". His sense of humor helps to keep things alive on stage and his addition to “A Cut Above” is an asset..
Ben greenspan
Drums:
Born and raised in Long Island, New York, Ben Greenspan has spent most of his years playing the drums.As a teen, he studied with some of the top drum instructors including: Al Miller and Jim Chapin. He has also studied at the world famous Drummers Collective in NYC. His influences are firmly rooted in funk, Jazz, and soul music. Ben has had the opportunity to play alongside many of the top musicians in the tri-state music scene. From Jazz to southern rock to latin music and everything in between including many original projects, he is comfortable playing all styles of music. He is also a 4th year member of the Paper Bag Annual Event on long Island. As the drummer in "A Cut Above" the band depends highly on Ben's metronomic timing to keep things jumping and make all the musical transitions smooth and nice!!!
