Born:
July 4, 1955
Rented Mule is a high energy jazz-rock band with players hailing from Phila. and New York. A group of
seasoned jazz players, (who haved performed with Rashid Ali, Sun Ra, David Amram, Billy Bang and
Badal Roy,) have come together to create “jazz that funks”. Rented Mule is currently #27 on CMJ.
Don Jones studied under Phil Lightfoot, Darryl Brown and Gerry Brown. He has
performed with Sun Ra, Sonny Stitt, Pharoah Sanders, Monette Sudler, Gloria Gaynor, The Orlons, Danny
and the Jrs, The Drifters, Tymes, Bo Diddley, David Amram, Bonnie Raitt and has also played with
Eastern Standard Time, Forecast and White Elephant.
Pete McRae has recorded and performed with many artists including: Gina Ferrera,
Connie Stevens, Eddie Jobson (Roxy Music; Zappa), Mr. Mister, Peter Kingsbery (Cock Robin), David
Baerwald, The Rembrandts and Stan Ridgway. He studied guitar and composition at USC in LA (taking
composition privately with Robert Moore while at USC) as well as studying guitar privately with Jerry
Hahn, Dave Creamer, Barry Finnerty, Ted Greene, Bill Kanengiser.
Napoleon Black has performed and recorded with Denise King, Jamaaladeen
Tacuma and many others.
Todd Horton is a trumpeter, flugelhornist, composer and producer who has
produced albums for many artists in various genres as well as his own boutique label Soulsearch Music.
Todd led his own groups in New York City for thirteen years, was first lieutenant to famed altoist Arnie
Lawrence for eight years, performing with greats such as Herman Foster, Winston Grennan, Hiram
Bullock, David Tronzo, Vernon Reed, Billy Bang, Rashid Ali, Maceo Parker, Joan Osborne, Blues Traveler,
Richard Bona, African Blue Note, Badal Roy and Bernard Purdie among many others. He was also a
member of The Spin Doctors, Buddy Miles Experience, The Neville Family Affair, Winston Grennan and
Ska Rocks, Phoebe Legere, Richie Cole's Alto Madness Orchestra, Atilla Engin's New World Orchestra,
African Blue Note, Richard Bona and Ani Difranco's traveling circus and freakshow. Educated at Ithaca
Community School of Music and Art, Berklee College of Music, Ithaca College of Music and The New
School Jazz Program in New York City.
A Philadelphia native, Jason Omara performs and teaches throughout the
Philadelphia area. He keeps a busy schedule working as a freelance saxophonist, clarinetist, flautist,
oboist, composer, arranger, recording-engineer, and producer. Jason has performed with Natalie Cole,
James Moody, Randy Brecker, John Swana, Jon Faddis, The Temptations and many others.
Philadelphia percussionist Frank “Squirrel” Williams has played in literally
thousands of Jazz and Funk settings, he also teaches West African, Cuban and Brazilian music to local
drummers and percussionists.
Jason Mescia has an extensive background in jazz and classical and has studied
with James Houlik, Mike Tomaro, Steve Pollock, Kenny Werner, Niel Wetzel, David Cutler and others.
Joel Kunreuther has played with a plethora of musicians in almost every style
imaginable from Reggae to Rock to Blues to Jazz to Latin to Swing to Dance to Disco and to Klezmer;
Joel has experienced music in it’s true form and function. Upon graduating from Temple University
School of Music Cum Laude, Joel Kunreuther played in an original funk band entitled Wabi Sabi, while at
the same time playing in the Joe Dawson Band, a corporate/ wedding outfit. While keeping his hands
full, Joel has pursued original composition, and arrangements for big bands. Joel has recorded two CDs
as a leader, not to mention having numerous dates on other peoples records. Joel also teaches
privately. Having studied with such guitar sages as Chuck Anderson, Ed Flanagan, Tom Giacobetti, and
New York Jazz Guitarist Peter Bernstein, Joel believes that to be an excellent musician one must stay
busy, be constantly vigilant, and always challenge oneself.
Bassist Dan Greenberg studied with Al Stauffer, performed with The Doug Markley
Band, The Incurables, Bo Diddley, Mary Wells, The Orlons, Brenda Smith, Dominant Curve, Zen Cons,
Robert Bell's Guitar Army, Helium Toad vs. Sound Efx, Krunch, Steve Brown's Slant Six, Peter “Stone”
Brown and many others.
Press Quotes
”Rented Mule is an attractive Jazz/Fusion group which no doubt will be well received by my younger listers
and create an interest in jazz in general” --Peter Kuller, Radio Adelaide-Australia
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