About
Starsign is a 10-piece progressive jazz-funk-fusion group from San Diego, California. They have taken influence from Snarky Puppy, Steely Dan, FORQ, and Rush, and blended it into a multi-genre, multi-regional, and multicultural blend that can only be described as “Starsign.” With an award-winning funk guitarist, a pianist straight from the Miami Latin and techno music scene, a drummer steeped in metal tradition, and a whole section of horns who have studied all jazz from Miles Davis to Herbie Hancock, Starsign effortlessly blends genres from every corner of the country into a unique and incredible vibe that can’t be heard anywhere else.
Joel McCullough
Keys, Composer, Bandleader
Joel McCullough, the bandleader and lead composer for Starsign, brings his exceptional skills on keys, piano, and synthesizer to the band. Hailing from Miami, Florida, Joel's musical journey began at the age of five when he wrote his first song. With a strong foundation in classical piano training, he has masterfully crafted his own distinct style of playing on keys. Joel's compositions and arrangements serve as the backbone of Starsign's captivating jazz fusion sound, blending intricate melodies with vibrant, modern harmonies. His innovative approach to music and his ability to seamlessly incorporate diverse influences make him an invaluable asset to the unique musical landscape that defines Starsign.
Nolan Fewell
Drums
Angelica Pruitt
Bass Guitar
Angelica Pruitt, one of San Diego’s natives , has been studying upright bass for 13 years and electric bass for 8 years. For quite some time, Angelica was involved in many organizations and workshops such as the San Diego Youth Symphony, the International Academy of Jazz, the Young Lions organization with Renown trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos and many more. At Mission Bay High School, Angelica has studied New Orleans Style jazz and Latin jazz with her instructor clarinetist JP Balmat from Euphoria Brass Band, Rob Thorsen, a San Diego bassist, Tito Puente, and Irving Flores. With her school jazz group, the Preservationists, she begin gigging at a young age and traveled to Japan and New Orleans various times to play and study jazz. During her summers, she would study at multiple jam sessions all over San Diego, Francis Parker Jazz workshops and UCSD jazz camps before graduating from Mission Bay High School.
Angelica continued her studies at Grossmont Community college with highly intelligent instructors Derek Cannon, Farhad Bahrami and Melonie Grinnell during the day while gigging at night at jazz clubs and musicals. In 2018, Angelica began studying Middle Eastern musics and culture, with her instructor Farhad Bahrami where she learned more about odd time signatures, and notes such as quarter tones used outside of western notation. During her time at Grossmont College, Angelica also heavily studied Afro Cuban Latin jazz with multi-instrumentalist and award winning composer Manny Cepeda. Cepeda has been a huge influence for her on how to keep time and the different bass lines in Afro Cuban music. In 2022, Angelica graduated with an Associate’s degree in classical studies and a University Studies Degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Angelica now studies jazz at UCSD with Mark Dresser and Kamau Kenyatta, while continuing to freelance at night with amazing musicians such as Craig Dawson, Allan Phillips, the Mad Hat Hucksters, and more. She later joined Starsign in November as a permanent bassist, making her a unique individual with her insurmountable experience in the music industry and music business background.
Jonah Esser
Guitar
GIno Calgaro
Trumpet, Synthesizer, Bass Guitar
Max Moore
Trumpet
Ben Sachs
Soprano Sax, Tenor Sax, Flute, Clarinets
Ben Sachs has been performing professionally as a multi-instrumentalist for almost a decade now. In this time, he has a honed a unique sound on the saxophones as well as flute, clarinet, and bass clarinet. He has performed in a huge range of genres from traditional jazz to electronic, and recorded on over a dozen projects. His versatility on multiple instruments makes him an essential part of the Starsign sound.
Connor Stratman
Alto Saxophone
Christian Gaytan
Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone
Christian Gaytan, Starsign’s tenor and baritone saxophonist, brings a dynamic energy and a wide range of influences to the band. Influenced by renowned saxophonists such as Michael Brecker, Bob Reynolds, and especially Chris Potter, Christian has developed a distinctivley big and bright voice on the saxophone that captivates audiences.
During his senior year of high school, Christian joined forces with the funk band Ambassadors of Soul, collaborating with fellow bandmate Gino Calgaro. This experience helped shape his musical prowess and deepened his understanding of groove and rhythm. Throughout his time at UCSD, Christian played with the campus’s jazz ensemble, where he further refined his skills under the guidance of Grammy-winning saxophonist Kamau Kenyatta.
Lori Shen
Trombone
JR GALINDEZ
Photographer and Videographer
JR Galindez, a San Diego-based videographer and photographer, brings his creative vision and technical expertise to Starsign as the director of video and social media content. A graduate of SF State Cinema, JR's passion for capturing captivating visuals and telling stories through his lens is evident in his work. With his skills in videography and photography, JR Galindez adds an artistic touch to Starsign's visual presence, ensuring their music is complemented by stunning visuals that resonate with audiences. Connect with JR on Instagram @jrvidio to explore his portfolio.