Biographies

Bernie Sena

Founder, band leader and lead male vocalist of the Fabulous Ultratones, Bernie brings a multitude of experience and talent to the band. He has been playing, singing and entertaining audiences for well over thirty years. He is an established talent in San Diego and has performed with top bands and musicians every step of the way. His versatility as an entertainer and musician brings a lively and energetic spirit to the band. He plays rhythym guitar, harmonica and percussion, and is known for engaging the audience and bringing the crowds and fans to their feet. Bernie has a great voice and sings as well as the best of them.

Judy Malings

As lead vocalist for The Fabulous Ultratones Judy brings a lot of prior experience. Before arriving in San Diego in 1998, Judy was a familiar voice in the San Francisco Bay Area. A former cast member of America's longest running musical revue, Beach Blanket Babylon, her act was seen regularly in SF as well as The Rose Tattoo in Los Angeles and Rascals in Houston. Judy fronted and wrote for the 8-piece band Shake City that for years appeared at Bay Area clubs and festivals. More recently Judy was the lead vocalist for the popular dance band In Disguise, and was the featured artist at the Air Force Sergeants convention. Two of her original songs have been published by Excursion Music in Nashville, and two more were selected for the CD Stand Proud, a compilation by San Diego musicians to benefit the victims of the World Trade Center. Judy’s  original songs can be heard on the peer-review site Broadjam.com, where her songs are often listed in the ‘top ten’.

Jeff Barbani

A guitarist since age 14, Jeff began his professional music career at 17. After finishing college Jeff toured nationally and internationally, appearing with numerous artists including Arlo Guthrie, Kris Kristofferson, Don Henley, Michael McDonald, Marshall Tucker, The Outlaws, Willie Nelson, and Leon Russell. Jeff also has two albums and two video soundtracks to his credit.

Chris Brackenbury

With 25 years experience playing drums and singing in Colorado and California, Chris is laying down the beat for the Fabulous Ultratones. During his career he has opened for Pure Prairie League and the Ventures. Chris also played in the big-screen feature film "Mr. Wrong", and at Aaron Spelling's Christmas party at the Beverly Wilshire.

Bob Mathes

Skilled at playing all styles of music on the saxophone and flute, Bob "Mad Dog" Mathes has been a popular side man on the southern California music scene for many years. He has toured and recorded with Cande Kayne, Big Joe Turner, Jimmy Witherspoon, Pee Wee Craton, and Bo Diddly. He is also a veteran of multiple European tours with The Bob Long Band, and has spent time as a member of the American Hawaii cruise line crew band.

Jack Houghton

Jack is a San Diego native and started playing trumpet at the age of 8. He has experience in a wide variety of venues: Orchestral (San Diego Chamber Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, Orchestra of Baja California), Broadway Shows (Civic Theater, Starlight Opera, La Jolla Playhouse, Lawrence Welk Theater), Big Band (Benny Hollman, Tony Benade, Bill Green), Jazz and Rock. He has backed up numerous artists, most recently Barry Manilow, Frankie Valle, Johnny Mathis, and The Temptations. He is delighted to be a part of the Fabulous Ultratones.

Tracey Larvenz

Having grown up in South Florida, Tracey has been fortunate enough to have been surrounded by a multitude of musical genres - including rock, jazz, Latin and classical - during his formative years. Playing piano with such diverse acts as Branford Marsalis, The Count Basie Big Band, singer/actor Chayanne, Louis Bellson (from the Duke Ellington Orchestra), The Shirelles, Enuff Z'nuff, Tracey's built up a strong music knowledge in a variety of disciplines. Tracey spends his days creating scores and sound design for some of the heaviest hitters in broadcast, such as Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Mtv, Nickelodeon and many others.

Glen Fisher