Founded and led by MORTY OKIN in the summer of 2012, The Purple Ones are a 10-piece PRINCE Tribute band taking the Bay Area by storm.

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Fronted by Kazam Ali (bass and vox) and Pamela Fields (vox), TPO take us back to the funky sexy 80s.  Playing both the hits as well as classic b-sides and lesser-known gems, TPO also pays homage to THE TIME and SHEILA E.

 

Our versions mix studio with live, taking the best of both worlds. I wrote all the horn arrangements and did chart prep as well, with occasional genius inspiration by Morty and Roger.  

 

Playing alongside (well, a bit in front of) my wife Karla, TPO's badass drummer, is a delight.  Loading drums in and out sucks though. 

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Photo L to R: Morgan Day, gtr; Mara Fox, Trombone; KARLA DOWNEY, drums; Chris Barnes, Tpt; Kazam Ali, bass and vox; Morty Okin, tpt and leader; Pamela Fields, vox; JAMISON SMELTZ, saxes; Al Conde, Keys; Roger Rocha, gtr.

 

PHOTO COURTESY OF VICTOR SALDANHA AND VSP MEDIA.  Same for the one of me on the home page.  Go Victor!  He and I worked toghether at Odwalla in the early 90s!