Mezzanine Dreams

Mezzanine Dreams is a Reggae, Rock, Neo-Soul band based out of the Washington, DC metro area. They were formed from 3 original members of the band FTP, and rounded out by PSCRIPT on keyboards, and veteran reggae drummer, David McDevitt. Their sound is derived from the DC roots as well as everyone’s own twists on what they bring. From power ballads, to soulful slow jams, to face melting riffs, they bring a passion and delight wherever they play.

RAYNITA J (VOCALS)

Ciera Johnson best known in music as Raynitaj and she is a singer /song writer from the DMV. Her love for music began at the young age of 7 and she has self-trained and professionally trained over the last 18 years. Her vocal inspiration has been influenced by legends like Sarah Vaughn, Billie Holiday, and stylish sounds like Mary J Blidge, Phyllis Hyman and her all time inspiration Whitney Houston. Raynita has taken her sultry and mixed it with a little rock and roll and reggae, forming a fusion band called Mezzanine Dreams .In 2005 Raynitaj and JStavo of Brooklyn NY performed at the famous Apollo theater along with the Sugar Shake and world renowned Cotton Club. In more recent years she and her guitarist Sugi opened for the Platinum Artist Lyfe Jennings in July 2016 at the Sound stage in Baltimore Maryland. She and Sugi also were also a part of a band called For the People where they did an array of shows across the DMV. Raynitaj is an artist looking to bring conscious thinking and love to the world of music. Along with Mezzanine Dreams Raynitaj works with A neo-soul and jazz trio called Soundproof Genie, this trio includes Paul (PScript) of Arlington VA, and Balah of Washington DC. This trio never lets Raynita forget those blues and jazz routes; they are currently scheduled to release a album called Remote Control in early August 2016. When trying to get a feel for the Raynitaj sound all genres are considered but the soul is where it starts.

SUGI (GUITARS)

Jamie “Sugi” Sugiyama, a native Washingtonian, is a muti-guitar instrumentalist and songwriter. His love for music began at a very young age, and has since been trained since a very young age in most styles of guitar playing. His main influences include Zakk Wylde, Buckethead, Slash, Vernon Reid, Jimi Hendrix, and Steve Vai. Having grown up in the DC metropolitan area, Sugi has obviously been immersed in the cultural music of his hometown, listening, and playing mostly metal, reggae, and go-go. An eclectic clashing of sounds, indeed. A former member of the band For the People, Sugi played many shows, and festivals until his departure in late 2015. In recent times Sugi, and singer/songwriter Raynita J have opened up for Platinum Recording artist Lyfe Jennings at the Sound Stage in Baltimore, Md . By himself has featured on many hip-hop mixtapes as an instrumentalist, pairing with artists like Bucky Dolla and Michael Haze. His roots are molded with in the fabrics of reggae, and his riffs on fire like some of the greats, but his heart and soul is where the music comes from. The journey is just beginning.




PSCRIPT (Keyboards, Pianos, Synth)

Paul Crimi is a versatile musical artist and has been playing music professionally around the DMV for all of his adult life. Starting on guitar, then taking on piano and studying jazz he has explored blues, jazz, reggae and neo-soul. He has performed professionally with well known talents in the area including Herb Smith (jazz), Englishman (reggae), and Nea Posey (neo-soul).










Jamal “Seven” Wilson (BASS)

Jamal is a young musician from Greensboro NC. Currently residing in Woodbridge va, he was introduced to the music scene with full force at the age of 20 yrs old. Growing up on RnB, Soul, and classic rock he implements a unique style within his playing. Only being on the scene for a short time he is not scared to jump out there and be the crowd pleasure the people wants him to be. His charm and charisma bestows happiness for the audience. Playing everything from hard rock , Metal, to Rnb he has learned that to stand out you must be able to expendable. Staying true to his nature, while playing with such authentic musicians, he utilizes his resources to hopefully be considered of the best musicians of his time.

Influences Include: Daft Punk, Scott Devine, Flea, James Jamerson, Victor Wooten, Jaco Pistorius

DAVE MCDAVITT (DRUMS)

Since first punching through the fragile paper heads of a toy drum kit at age seven, drums have been David's madness.   David studied ethnomusicology at UVa and with Asante Okyerema (Ashanti royal drummer /Paul Simon).  Specializing in Reggae & West African music, David has performed at venues including The 9:30 Club, The Kennedy Center, Congo Square (New Orleans), Bottom Line, Blues Alley, Reggae on the River, and HBO.  He has performed with such eminent acts as Big Village, Jamal Millner (Corey Harris/Rainmaker), Chopteeth, King Mensah, Junior Marvin, & Fanton MoJah.       www.rootsriddim.com





www.rootsriddim.com
www.sonicbids.com/mezzanine-dreams
www.facebook.com/mezzdreams
www.soundcloud.com/soogz
www.reverbnation/raynitaj
www.facebook.com/sugi31.music -