Meet The Band
2nd Planet, discovered in the year 2000, is a diverse music experience specializing in the styles of contemporary jazz, rock, r&b and funk. The San Francisco Bay area based band consist of 4 musicians who will utilize their creative gifts to electrify music listeners with their original brand of music as displayed in the band’s first CD release “Beyond the Surface” and their second release titled “The Next Level”. 2nd Planet can be found performing in San Francisco Bay area concert venues and also had performed as co-head liner for internationally recognized artists such as guitarist Paul Jackson Jr of American Idol and Jay Leno’s Tonight Show, bass guitar extraordinaire Michael Manring and latin jazz artist Ray Obiedo.
Clarence Williams – Guitar
The guitarist of Northern California’s 2nd Planet band. Clarence has also worked as a writer for Bass Frontiers Magazine and wrote stories as well as conducted interviews on bass guitar pioneer and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee LARRY GRAHAM (formerly of Sly and the Family Stone and presently with Graham Central Station) who now performs with mega/platinum artist PRINCE. Clarence also interviewed bassist CHRIS SQUIRE of the legendary rock band YES.
Clarence’s past accomplishments include a CD release titled “The Upside Down Xperience” featuring the smooth jazz title “Ocean Breeze” which was aired on Sacramento California radio stations.
You can hear Clarence’s compositions on 2ND PLANET’S debut release, “Beyond the Surface & and the band’s current release “The Next Level”, which is available on itunes at secondplanetband.com
Darrell Brogdon – Keyboards
Darrell has been playing professionally for more than 20 years and had played at a number of popular venues in the South and Central Texas area as well as overseas. Darrell was the resident piano player at the Tower of Americas in San Antonio Texas as well as several of the major hotels and restaurants in central Texas. Darrell had also performed with opening acts for artist such as Tom Brown, Roy Ayers, The Sax Pack, Kirk Whalum, Pieces of a Dream, Joe McBride, Steve Cole and Mindi Abair among others as well as having the privilege of touring in Southeast Asia with The Second Nature Band out of San Antonio Texas for the US military.
George Franklin – Bass Guitar & Lead Vocal
Bay Area bassist/vocalist George Franklin brings many years of performing and recording experience to the band. As leader of the jazz group GTF, George, along with his wife Tracy Franklin, wrote and produced a CD project entitled “Always” and “Cross Paths”, which features a blend of contemporary jazz and R&B. World renowned and Grammy award winning keyboardist Bob James is a guest artist on the project.
Through the years, George has performed/recorded with numerous artists including the San Diego based band Balance, guitarist Rob Thornburn, jazz pianist Curtis Clark, pianist Bill Marx (the son of Harpo Marx), former Ray Charles guitarist Ralph Byrd, and Motown recording artist Switch. You can hear George’s compositions on GTF’s current release, “Always” and “Cross Paths”, which is available at www.gtfjazz.com
Michael Hester – Drums
Originally from Southern California, Mike has been playing drums since the age of 13. He trained with a drum instructor who was proficient in Jazz drumming thus seeding Mike’s passion for Jazz drumming. His early influences include Art Blakey, Max Roach, Philly Jo Jones, Billy Cobham, Lenny White and many others.
In 1990, Mike played with a local East Bay Area smooth jazz group Schedule II. After playing with them for most of the 90’s, Mike married and he and his family relocated to Solano County. Mike has most recently played with several local churches in Solano County where he developed his Gospel drumming in addition to forming his own band E-Ternity. Mike has had a passion for drums for many years and he loves playing both smooth and traditional jazz.