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Jack Sonni

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Jack Sonni

Jack Sonni (born December 9, 1954, Indiana, Pennsylvania, United States) is a guitarist and former member of Dire Straits.

In the late 1970s Jack had become a Monday night fixture at Kenny's Castaways on Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village, performing with his band, The Leisure Class[1] the place for up and coming acts. A revolving door of members included "John K"—bassist for Cyndy Lauper, Madonna, David Bowie and Serge Gainsbourg—Carlos Alomar, guitarist for David Bowie, Iggy Pop – Bobby Choiunard drummer for Billy Squier and Peter Wolf. In 1978 he started working at the newly opened Rudy's Music Stop, owned by renowned guitar builder Rudy Pensa, where he met members of Dire Straits, first David and then Mark Knopfler.

Dire Straits

His friendship with the Knopflers had grown to the extent that he was asked to visit them in London, which he eventually did. When David left the band, Hal Lindes replaced him on rhythm guitar. However, Hal left the band suddenly to work as a soundtrack composer. In 1984 recording sessions for the album Brothers in Arms were approaching, and Mark Knopfler asked Jack to join the band for that recording and the subsequent tour. Jack accepted promptly[2].

On stage Jack Sonni was renowned for his unusual look: white suit, bare feet, and long scarves on his head. After his collaboration with the band, Jack contributed to other musicians' works; however, he eventually left the music business to raise his twin daughters, Caitlin and Nadine, who were born in 1988.

Discography

Corporate career

For a while Jack was director of marketing communications at Line 6, a California-based manufacturer of digital technology products for musicians. His contributions included developing positioning and branding for the new company as well as naming and creating the shape of the breakthrough product, POD. In 2001 he moved on to become vice president of marketing communication for Guitar Center primarily overseeing the company's advertising, promotions and public relations, [3] a position he left in 2006.

Today

He is currently living in Baja Sur, Mexico, working on a memoir-based book project and attempting to become a world class surfer in hopes of some day being the oldest amateur surfer to win a professional surf tournament.

Jack Sonni still shows up at some of his old haunts and played a set back at Kenny's Castaways as recently as 6 October 2007.[4] Jack popped up again on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at the Havana Jazz Club, Los Cabos, Mexico with Todd Clouser and Los Perros del Amor.[5]

References

  1. ^ Tony Sarno History
  2. ^ Flanagan, Bill (1985) Musician. Available from: Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler, an inside look at the outside man
  3. ^ Guitar Center Appoints J. Sonni Vice President of Marketing Communications
  4. ^ Kenny's Castaways October Calendar
  5. ^ Todd Clouser - CALENDAR
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