Parallel Universe

Parallel Universe Is a San Diego based modern Jazz trio that specializes in original progressive creative instrumental compositions as well as putting an unique spin on both Jazz Standards, Rock and Blues music.                                                        Ron Florentine began his early music career in the studios of Los Angeles after getting his degrees in guitar, composing, orchestral arranging and film scoring. This led to Ron being selected as one of the ten recipients of the prestigious BMI Young Composers Award. During this time Ron was fortunate to get the opportunity to study with great composers and arrangers including Lalo Schrifrin (Mission Impossible) , Henry Mancini (Pink Panther), Bill Conte (Rocky) and Nelson Riddle (Frank Sinatra,Ella Fitzgerald,Nat King Cole).                           Ron made the difficult decision to relocate from Los Angeles to San Diego in order to open his own recording studio- Soundswest Studio. Over the last twenty years he has loved his work in the studio as a producer, engineer, guitarist, composer and arranger helping musical artists bring their dreams to life. Now Ron Florentine is bringing all that education and experience to his new original jazz trio Parallel Universe. Ron is excited to co-create this project with long-time friends and great musicians Todd Bryson (drummer/ composer) and Mark Woodrum (upright and electric bass). This project brings together their love for composition and the collaborative nature of modern jazz with the rhythmic intensity and emotional power of of rock influences including Led Zeppelin, Nirvana and Radiohead.

As a young child Todd Bryson began banging on pots and pans and drumming has been a main passion in his life ever since. As a teenager, Todd started his music career with jazz guitarist Peter Sprague's group and also with the Civic Youth Orchestra. While attending college Todd had the wonderful opportunity to record and play with jazz great Clark Terry. While immersed in his studies of classical percussion with the faculty at UCSD, Todd wanted to expand his talents as a composer. He formed his own group called Todd Bryson and the Efernal Orchestra where the band performed his own eclectic original jazz compositions.                                                  Since then Todd Bryson has toured extensively throughout Europe including Germany, Poland, Greece, Belgium and the Netherlands.Todd also has had the opportunity to play with such notables as Charles MacPherson, Mark Dresser, Albert Kings Blues Band, Anthony Ortega, Bob Long as well as many others.

   After residing in his home town of San Diego, Ca Todd decided to expand his musical pallette and move to the creative musical environment of the Berkely-San Francisco area where he spent over ten years playing with many other great creative musical ensembles. After over a decade in the Bay area, Todd and his wife decided to move back to sunny San Diego where he reunited with long time friends and fellow musicians Ron Florentine (guitar) and Mark Windrum (bass) and formed the modern jazz trio Parallel Universe.

Mark Windrum is a man of many talents, as an in demand live and studio electric and upright bass player in southern California music scene  Mark has played with an array of different artist such as Clay Colton, Lou Shook, The Flounders, Grey Douglas and a host of others. Mark began his professional music  career after his music studies at San Diego State University. Anytime I hear a band playing somewhere in our area my big joke is "lets go say hi to Mark" because 9 out of 10 times he is playing with the band.