We're YuMi & The Other Guys
Hover over any band member's photo to learn more about them.
Joe Zapantis - Drums
Joe has been playing the drums since he was 10, although he was surrounded by music as his dad was a musician. One of his specialties is his ability to use double bass drum effectively. He demonstrates keen hand and foot articulation and coordination.
Drumming has taken Joe to Europe and across the United States. He also has professional recording and sound system experience. Most of his career has involved rock based music, although he has worked with Jazz ensembles, R&B groups, Reggae, Afro-Cuban and Fusion groups. He says that some of his musical role models include Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Beethoven and Leonard Bernstein.
Joe studied drum technique under Steve Vai's drummer Jeremy Colson, Peter Magadini and Santana's Gregg Bissonette. In addition to drums, Joe is proficient in hand percussion and can play piano, guitar and bass. Joe's drumming style will keep you moving with its energy, syncopation and "Pop"!
Robert Thrash - Guitar, Background Vocals
Robert plays electric and acoustic guitars for Yumi & the Other Guys and also sings harmonies. He has experience playing many styles of music, including Jazz, Rock, Funk, Blues, Pop and Country. He began to learn guitar on his own at the age of 11, studying from a beginner's book that came with his first acoustic guitar. He quickly picked up more chords and melodies from friends, throughout his school years.
Robert has studied rock and jazz guitar under various teachers, including the late, great Warren Nunes. Between high school and the present, he has played guitar, bass, vocals and drums in various musical situations. He has also written several songs.
Robert's love of music goes back as far as he can remember. On rainy days, he remembers going through his parent's record collection and listening to early Rock & Roll, Jazz, Country and Contemporary Symphony.
Tim Olson - Bass
Tim plays 4 and 5 string bass guitar for the band. His playing style switches from strong and punchy to subtle and melodic, as dictated by the music. Tim is a strong soloist and adds the right embellishments, without going out of the pocket. He likes to lock in with the drummer for that tight sound.
Tim has played bass and guitar with various bands over the past few decades and is adept in many styles, including Funk, R&B, Rock, Pop, Jazz and Country. Tim has written nice original songs in the past and has a keen ear for music. Tim is also somewhat of a techie and has experience designing nice websites. He does a lot of the technological/computer-based stuff for the band.
Tim is a fun guy and his enthusiasm for music is evident as he moves to the music on stage!
Ron Koci - Keyboard, Background Vocals
Ron is the keyboardist for Yumi & the Other Guys and also provides vocal harmony for the group. Ron's repertoire of songs and styles is huge! His technical prowess and ear for music are amazing! If he has heard a song before, he can play it on the spot - in any key!
Formally trained in classical music from the age of 7, Ron began to study and perform Jazz in his teens. Between that time and the present, Ron has performed with many bands of different genres, including Rock, R&B, Jazz and Country. In addition to keyboards, he has previous experience with brass instruments. He is also talented in running sound and recording music. Aside from music, he has many other talents, including animatronics and web design.
Ron is a songwriter and is one of the key players (no pun intended) in arranging songs and harmonies for the band. He keeps things fun and interesting in the band! Often during rehearsals, he will suddenly deviate from a song straight into a popular commercial jingle or cartoon theme song and say "Who can name that show?"
Allison Pearson - Vocals
Allison is a lead and harmony vocalist for Yumi & the Other Guys. Her rich alto voice conveys a smooth and often sultry sound when singing standards and ballads, but also has punch when she takes on a Rock, Pop or Country tune.
Allison grew up in a musical family and has been singing her whole life. Her father was a musician, as is her younger sister, but her whole family sang. She says that they would sing sentences to each other instead of speaking them. She describes herself as an original choir geek and was part of the Sacramento State performing Choir.
Although she sings a wide variety of styles, Allison's first loves in music are Jazz and R&B. Her role models are Etta James, Sade and Diana Krall. Allison is a kick - both on and off stage - and has a crazy sense of humor!
Brittany Marie Sellers - Vocals
Brittany is a soprano vocalist with the band, singing leads and harmonies. Her style is energetic and soulful and she is quite adept in a variety of musical genres.
Brittany says that she has been singing as far back as she can remember. She has performed with jazz and rock bands, a vocal jazz group and choirs. She is currently in a group called Vox Musica, a women's choral group in the Sacramento area, directed by Daniel Paulson. Brittany has received formal music training for Jazz Voice for the past 5 years and has been attending American River College working on a transfer with an AA in Jazz Studies.
Although Brittany tends to sing soulful music like R&B, she loves all kinds of music, including Alternative Rock, Progressive Metal, Country, Jazz, R&B, Pop, Punk, Reggae and everything in between. In the 90's and early 2000's, she was influenced by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston and says she enjoys the musical stylings of Bobby McFarrin, Teddy Wilson, Thelonious Monk and Sarah Vaughn, to name a few. Brittany's enthusiasm for music really shows when she performs!