Follow the Zodiac
After only rehearsing for just one month, the all-new jazz trio Zodiac hit the stage for music-lovers everywhere, starting last week at Charley’s Lounge, within the Sanibel Harbor Resort.
Zodiac, a three-piece trio consisting of Samantha Maltezos on lead vocals, Jennifer Mazziotti on sax and piano, and Mark Fox on guitar, will wow the crowd every Friday and Saturday night at the resort’s lounge.
Lead girl Samantha Maltezos, an avid musician and professional model, is eager to get back on the stage.
“I’m so happy to be back in my musical element,” she said. “It’s been almost a full year since I’ve entertained musically and I can’t wait to get back out there.”
Mark, a musician all his life, is eager about the new endeavors as well.
“I feel good about this new venture,” he said. “I’ve been caught up in our last band for 10 years, so I’m looking forward to a change something different to reinvent myself again.”
Zodiac will touch base on a variety of hits and genres from other decades, performing anything from blues and jazz to rock and pop, including Etta James, Duffy, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Lil Walter, Tracy Chapman, John Lennon, Norah Jones, Aretha Franklin and more.
“As time goes on, we’re going to learn new songs and keep changing our musical line-up,” Samantha said.
Jennifer, an avid and lifelong musician and piano instructor, was a student at the University of Texas, studying side-by-side with Norah Jones and rehearsing on her sax at least eight hours a day (it definitely paid off).
Mark later hit the road with the very talented George Benson, among other jazz/funk/pop greats.
“I really can’t wait for our first show,” Jennifer said. “We’ve been working really hard for this and eager for the new challenge.”
Jennifer and Mark previously performed together as Duo Sofisticado (MySpace.com/DuoSofisticado) regularly entertaining guests of the Ritz Carlton in Sarasota, a talent so great, Fort Myers locals would actually stay at the hotel just to catch their show.
“I’m so thankful to have this opportunity to work with such talented musicians,” Samantha said. “I’m really excited to get back into it.”
The lead girl, who’s also a professional model, working for such clients as Victoria’s Secret, Vogue Magazine, Versace and Armani, currently working for Chicos, Saks Fifth Avenue and the Belltower Shops, explains how the band came up with its new name.
“A friend of mine came up with the band name Zodiac, and I think it’s cool because it’s classy but it’s a little edgy. It’s not too much, but its got class and sophistication, like us.”
Zodiac will begin their shows at Charley’s Lounge within the Sanibel Harbor Resort Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2 and 3, from 8 to 11 p.m., performing every Friday and Saturday after that.
To book Zodiac, Duo Sofisticado or private piano lessons, call 574-3960, visit JazzyMazzy.com or email Jennifer@JazzyMazzy.com.