Livewire Band Members

Band Members

Cote Reese is a hard rocking Texas blues keyboard player who has discovered a special talent and passion for the accordion. He has played in bands that have shared the stage with well-known artists such as Delbert McClinton and Doug Sahm. Playing with LiveWire allows Cote to explore his love for Brazilian music and American Standards and to make use of his skills in arranging music.

Cookie Reese is a veteran of two S.F. Bay Area R&B bands, and has opened for well-known artists such as Delbert McClinton and The Drifters. She has played baritone sax, alto sax, and flute in bands that run the gamut of musical styles, from Big Band and Jazz to Texas Blues.

Peter Herbert is a veteran S.F. Bay Area drummer known for his versatility and sensitive delivery. He began playing drums at the age of thirteen in San Francisco. Peter is an experienced big band jazz drummer who also has a special passion for Brazilian rhythms. He holds down the beat for the Escola de Samba in San Francisco’s annual carnival parade.

Dennis Fortin has been playing guitar since the age of seven. He loves playing pretty much any style of music from Jazz, Funk, R&B, Blues and Rock to Bluegrass and Country. Dennis also enjoys band leading, songwriting/arranging and teaching. Dennis is currently a band instructor at Bandworks and Cazadero Performing Arts Family Camp, and plays with other S.F. Bay Area groups and musicians such as Smooth, The Reed Cooper Jazz Quintet, DJ Hamouris and Brook Schoenfeld.

Mary Thornton, also known to many as “Miss Mary,” is an Oakland native whose musical roots include Gospel, Classical, R&B, and Jazz. As a young adult Mary was always drawn to Gospel music and spent much of her time singing in her local church choir. At the tender age of fifteen, she began working with a professional trainer in classical music. In an effort to expand her repertoire Miss Mary began performing R&B in the early 80s and 90s with Bay Area bands Nitelife, Orchid, and Exectrix.

Sean Silverman, bass guitarist and newest member of the group, is a long standing member of the S.F. Bay Area music scene. Sean's talent and knowledge of various playing styles provides a solid melodic and rhythmic foundation that keeps the band in the groove no matter which direction the music takes.