MIKIO MOUNTAIN CASTLE BAND
ABOUT THE BAND
Mountain Castle Band had its genesis in late 2017 and was formed by Mikio Sankey, leader and composer of all music and lyrics. Mikio started playing in clubs while in high school on Okinawa, Japan. Later he was the original lead guitarist with the Los Angeles jazz band Hiroshima in the 1970’s, but quit before they became well known. Mikio later formed his own band called Shizen and played hundreds of bar and club gigs in the Los Angeles area and throughout the southern states during a 10-year period into the early 1980’s. The recording industry controlled the music and decided who they thought could be stars in the industry.
Mikio decided to take a hiatus from music and eventually went to acupuncture medical school where he received both a Master’s Degree and a doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. Mikio Sankey has seven published acupuncture books in the Esoteric Acupuncture Series and is currently working on his 8th Esoteric Acupuncture book.
Mikio’s hiatus from music lasted over 30 years. He had not even touched a guitar for a 20-year period, until purchasing a used Les Paul guitar in 2017. Much to his surprise, his chops and knowledge of music and chords came back within 2 to 3 days of playing the guitar. Since 2018, Mikio Mountain Castle Band has recorded 8 complete CD’s and 3 EP’s of over 50 original songs written by Mikio. A 9th CD is scheduled to be released in the summer of 2023. Mikio Mountain Castle Music covers a broad spectrum of music ranging from soft rock, jazz, country rock, rhythm & blues, folk and some fusion and is called Vintage American Music.
Mikio Mountain Castle Band is currently promoting the idea of a Tip the Scale Movement to change our planet from one of fear, war and hate to a planet of love, peace and happiness. Please join our Tip the Scale Movement.
CHRIS WONZER
I’ve been fortunate enough to be professionally involved in the music business for over 17 years. In this time I’ve worked in various capacities on over 70 major label releases (19 certified platinum) and about 25 indie records. I’ve had the good fortune of working with over 30 platinum level producers which has been a valuable part of rounding out my experience level. In the recent past I spent 4 years as a recording engineer for Linda Perry(Christina Aguilera, Pink, 4nonblondes) working on numerous world renown artists . Rounding out the last couple of years…. I’ve been working exclusively as a producer and writer for many talented artists out on the scene today.
GRETJE ANGELL
Mom & Musician: Gretje captivates with her honey-velvet tones and brings the audience along on a journey with her throughout all of her performances. She is a classically trained, multi-faceted vocalist who moves seamlessly from session work to live performances of jazz, classical, opera, choral, folk, and rock ‘n roll. In addition to having the privilege of singing in the Mountain Castle Band, she is a highly sought-after jazz artist who performs nationally and internationally, a trained opera singer performing many roles with the Los Angeles Metropolitan Opera Company, and an extensively experienced classical choralist. Whether she’s wrangling her two energetic and adorable boys, performing with Mikio, singing jazz, or using her beautiful lyric soprano voice in an opera, Gretje brings energy and light to each performance she gives.
MIKIO SANKEY
Mikio Sankey is the leader, songwriter and plays guitar in the Mikio Mountain Castle Band. His initial venture into professional paying gigs were playing cover songs (while still in high school) at the weekend matinees on the military bases on Okinawa, Japan. Later he was the original lead guitarist for the Los Angeles based band Hiroshima, before they started recording and added the koto to their sound. Mikio then formed his own group Shizen playing cover songs at night clubs and bars throughout California, the south states and to the southern east coast.
The grueling one-nighters started taking a toll and Mikio decided to take a hiatus from music which lasted over 30 years. He had not even touched a guitar for a 20-year period, until purchasing a used Les Paul guitar in 2017. Much to his surprise, his chops and knowledge of music and chords came back within 2 to 3 days of playing the guitar. Since 2018, Mikio Mountain Castle Band has recorded 8 complete CD’s and 3 EP’s of over 50 original songs written by Mikio. A 9th CD is scheduled to be released in the summer of 2023.
MIKE ALBERT
Mike Albert started playing the guitar at 9 yrs old. At 18 years old, was teaching professionally at Johnny Thompson Music in Monterey Park Ca. A few years later he was asked to join Frank Zappas’ “Ruben and the Jets project”. That was the start to a career that got Mike playing and performing with “Megadeth,” Eric Claptons’ Band, Cheech and Chong, El Chicano, Santana, L. Shankar (Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, George Harrison) and many more. He also has been a session guitarist with Sony and Warner Warner Brothers writing and performing on major TV and Motion Picture Soundtracks.
PAUL ILL
Musician/Songwriter, Higher-Powered citizen of the Loving Universe, 1/4 of UNCLE DUANE’S BAMD, songwriter, recording artist, so truly blessed! As a bassist, I believe first and foremost in the groove and nothing but the groove, so help me groove. I’ve worked with other bands and artists including Mick Taylor (x Rolling Stones), Wayne Kramer (x MC5), Earl Slick (x David Bowie), and Julian Lennon.
Ronnie Ciago
Ronnie Ciago plays drum set and percussion. He’s performed and recorded drum set/percussion with: Bill Ward (Black Sabbath), Rickie Lee Jones, Brand X, Patrick Moraz (Yes, The Moody Blues), Tony Kaye (Circa/Yes/Badfinger – Billy Sherwood (Circa/Yes/Producer), Michael Sambello, Hiram Bullock, Tony Newton TNT Xtreme (Funk Brothers/Tony Williams “Lifetime”), Mick Taylor (The Rolling Stones), Graham Bonnet, Jeff Berlin, Earl Slick (David Bowie), Circa, Leo Nocentelli & The Meters Experience, Riverdogs, Reeves Gabrels (David Bowie & Tin Machine), David Hentschel (Producer – Genesis, Elton John), Jack Douglas (Producer – John Lennon/Aerosmith, etc.), Brian Auger.
PETER ASSING
I did not have direct contact with music until age 16; After seeing a Jazz group in High School with some real teenage prodigies, I started playing the Flute and the saxophone came afterward; I was into Charlie Parker, John Coltrane and Klaus Dolginger; I studied Saxophone and flute with Diverse teachers including Dr Althea Holdcroft, , Dr Norma Butcher and Don Hawkins formerly from Stan Kenton, Tommy Dorsey and Woody Herman; I played at age 19 with the Stan Tracey Jazz Quartet Live and it was an incredible experience; Stan Tracey was a Jazz pianist with the London based Ronnie Scott jazz group; Later played with Saxophonist Riney Bryson a Roland Kirk Alumni and a woodwind player with the Los Angeles Philarmonic; Also played with Johnny Echols a former Sideman to Miles Davis, played wit Guitarist Ike Willis formerly with Frank Zappa and substitute for Allan Holdswoth in the Frank Zappa organization after Holdsworth Death.
