The rhythm and blues classic cover band hitting Sonoma’s Tuesday Night Market

The live entertainment for the May 30 Tuesday Night Market will be the New Hip Replacements. The nine-piece band will bring a rocking rhythm and blues note to the very popular community gathering.

For those of you scoring at home, the Hips are: Rick Brandon with the lead vocals and trumpet, Nick Cordellos on drums, Joni Maxx with lead and backup vocals, Josh Quittner playing rhythm guitar, Bea Sak on percussion, Ron Wynn playing lead guitar, Paul Zieff blowing the tenor sax, Ed Zingaro plays the bass and Bruce Zweig plays keyboards and alto sax.

While the players are all experienced musicians, several have interesting professional backgrounds that seems to run against the “musician” grain. Without naming names, because it is more fun to guess; there is a retired lawyer in the band. Also, a holder of a PhD who has written three books on the chosen specialty. There is a software designer from the nascent days of computerdom. One member is the CEO of a Crypto currency concern. One member is a plastic surgeon.

The band is heavily rooted in rhythm and blues classics. Ron Wynn, the lead guitar player, said, “We are a mix of the Commitments and the Blues Brothers.”

And the name? One of the members suggested the “Hip Replacements.” That had some resonance with the band; “hip” as in “cool” and “replacements” as a reference to their “covering” popular songs.

A search by the band lawyer, guess who that is, revealed about 15 bands across these United States working under that moniker. “New” was added and the problem was solved.

Look for dancing, singing along and general good times with the Hips. Speaking of body parts, the market remains in good hands.