Hot Frittatas     

Meet the Band

Gus Garelick

(violino e mandolino)

Gus began studying classical violin as a child in Detroit, Michigan. But he soon discovered the beauty of the mandolin, listening to his relatives from Eastern Europe, and visiting Italian and Greek cafes in Detroit, New York, and finally San Francisco. Since the early 70s, he has been playing Bluegrass, Country Western, Cajun, and jazz violin with such diverse groups as Dan Hicks, Queen Ida, Jim Boggio, Hank Williams Jr, Tommy Thomsen, and many others. He was also a member of the Berkeley Mandolin Ensemble in the early 80s, where he revisited the joys of mandolin music and Italian Ballo Liscio. Gus works at KRCB Radio in Santa Rosa, an NPR affiliate station, where he produces programs about traditional fiddling, mandolin music, accordion music, and Americana.

Dennis Hadley

(fisarmonica)

As a child in San Leandro, California, Dennis’ two mentors were Frankie Yankovic and Hank Williams. But all that got swept away when Rock music drove the accordion and country music deep into the closet. Fortunately, Dennis discovered Cajun and Zydeco music and, before long, accordions were back with a vengeance! Dennis played with Soleil Zydeco in Sonoma and then joined the more traditional Cajun Coyotes in Santa Rosa, at the same time branching out into Italian and Gypsy and French styles of music. He plays a Bugari accordion and still likes Frankie Yankovic, but with a touch of Clifton Chenier and a dash of Italian flavors.

Don Coffin

(chittara e mandolino)

Don was raised in an Italian/Irish household in Petaluma, California. He has been performing music for international audiences for over 30 years. From 1971 to 1978, he recorded and toured with his wife, songwriter Kate Wolf. He traveled through Europe in the 80s with The Eclecticatz, an acoustic trio playing Celtic, Cowboy, Country, and Swing. Since then, he has organized many musical events, and handles bookings for several popular Sonoma County nightclubs. In addition to the Hot Frittatas, Don has explored his Irish roots in several visits to Ireland. Hopefully, the Frittatas will make it to Italy soon and Don will get reunited with his Italian famiglia. No telling what happens after that!