Bio | Mari Mack & Livin' Like Kings:
Mari Mack & Livin' Like Kings is a soulful blues band from Northern California formed by Mari (Mari Mack) Tamburo (vocals) Arne Frager (bass.)The pair met in 2000 when she arrived at the legendary Plant Studios in Sausalito to record an album with Gregg's Eggs, an offshoot of local jamband favorites Zero. Rounding out the first iteration of the band were Pat Duffey (guitar) and Eric Levy on keys (Garaj Mahal, Night Ranger.) We auditioned many drummers and Rob RJ Franco took that spot for a good bit.
Over the years, we have been honored to welcome many talented players into the band and continue to evolve our own sound.
Our most current lineup consists of:
Mari on Vocals (of course)
Arne on Bass
David Powell on Guitar
Richard Wood on Keys
with a revolving drum throne of Roy Blumenfeld and Martin Cunningham (in alphabetical order)
MMLLK draws influence from artists ranging from Albert King, Freddie King, BB King, Carole King, Aretha Franklin, Led Zeppelin, Traffic and many more, mixed with originals penned by Mari and various collaborators, ranging from Eric Levy (Garaj Mahal, NIghtranger) to youth pastor Fred Thomas.
About Mari:
Mari started singing as a toddler, indoctrinated with love for jazz and big band by her father; blues, rock, gospel and r&b from her older siblings. Before the age of 18, she was paying her dues, singing rock, r&b and blues in clubs all over the NY area.
After a post-gig auto accident that totaled her car but left her without a scratch, she thanked her lucky stars and took it as a sign to make a change in her lifestyle, which meant giving up the late night gigs. "I was very lonely, my family was fractured and my mom lived out in San Francisco, so I packed my bags and headed out west. I figured that I would just stay there for a few weeks and then head down to LA to make films, but that never happened, because I met Johnny Nitro in North Beach at The Saloon!"
She has been singing regularly at The Saloon ever since (except for when it was closed during the Covid-19 pandemic) During that time, Mari chose to work at an organic grocery store in Fairfax, until the music came calling once again.
In addition to the oldest bar in San Francisco, Mari Mack and Livin' Like Kings has performed all over the Bay Area and beyond. In 2007.she founded a socially conscious communications project, The Artsboretum/A Vehicle for Change, volunteers a large portion of her time to various non-proft endeavors that align with her core values, arts education, civic and environmental advocacy, and more.
“Can't Go Back” features a stellar cast of excellent musicians and is available on Bandcamp, iTunes, all major online music retailers, and of course, Spotify.
The title track was featured on "Made in Mill Valley," a benefit CD for the Richard DeLone Special Housing project.
More music to follow!
Reviews
"Mari Mack brought her band to The Saloon ... and kept the place crowded from start to finish. It was so crowded most of my attempts to capture a moment or two were interrupted by folks blocking the view or bumping into me...the music is well worth checking out." Jack Cohen, Jack's Blues Clues
"...an absolutely stellar singer..."
Sheila Groves, Notable Talent
"...a huge talent..."
Atma Anur
"Mari Mack Tamburo is stellar !!"
Jeffrey Halford ( Jeffrey Halford and the Healers}
"You can SANG... Mari Very Mackish indeed..."
Narada Michael Walden
" I feel as if we've discovered a treasure..."
Angela Strehli
"You're the real deal..."
Tom Corwin (Mostly Dylan)
"An incredible singer..."
Pat Campbell
"...a great, great singer..."
Noah Evans
(recording engineer, son of Gil Evans)
"One of the most beautiful voices..."
Linda Imperial
"Get up there, you belong on that stage..."
Joe Louis Walker
"And OMG, Mari Mack torched the paint off the walls. Soooooo good."
Deborah Grabien, (The Sound Field)
"Great show..."
Dan Hicks (after a show when Mari sang with Big Brother and the Holding Company)
"I grabbed your CD, Can't Go Back, to listen on my drive to work last week. What a wonderful voice and superb music on that CD. Gotta get out and see you soon and get the new one. You rock, woman!" Maureen Parton
"Mari... thank you and "livin' like kings" for all the heart you brought to the men last night at the Father Alfred Center for Bread & Roses through your powerful and authentic songs."
Marian Hubler, Bread and Roses
"I dug it..."
Mighty Mike Schermer
Sheila Groves, Notable Talent
"...a huge talent..."
Atma Anur
"Mari Mack Tamburo is stellar !!"
Jeffrey Halford ( Jeffrey Halford and the Healers}
"....the band's best asset...a sensual powerhouse..."
Mick Skidmore, Relix magazine "...considerable vocal chops..."
Paul Liberatore, Marin IJ
Narada Michael Walden
" I feel as if we've discovered a treasure..."
Angela Strehli
"You're the real deal..."
Tom Corwin (Mostly Dylan)
"An incredible singer..."
Pat Campbell
"...a great, great singer..."
Noah Evans
(recording engineer, son of Gil Evans)
"One of the most beautiful voices..."
Linda Imperial
"Get up there, you belong on that stage..."
Joe Louis Walker
"And OMG, Mari Mack torched the paint off the walls. Soooooo good."
Deborah Grabien, (The Sound Field)
"Great show..."
Dan Hicks (after a show when Mari sang with Big Brother and the Holding Company)
"I grabbed your CD, Can't Go Back, to listen on my drive to work last week. What a wonderful voice and superb music on that CD. Gotta get out and see you soon and get the new one. You rock, woman!" Maureen Parton
"Mari... thank you and "livin' like kings" for all the heart you brought to the men last night at the Father Alfred Center for Bread & Roses through your powerful and authentic songs."
Marian Hubler, Bread and Roses
"I dug it..."
Mighty Mike Schermer
Mari in Gregg's Eggs : 2001
