Jack Sonni
Encyclopedia
Jack Sonni is a writer, musician, marketing executive with an emerging web presence as a cultural commentator and best known as "the other guitarist" in Dire Straits
during the band's "Brothers In Arms" era.
In the late 1970s Jack's band The Leisure Classhad become a Monday night fixture at Kenny's Castaways on Bleecker Street
in Greenwich Village
, 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
.
, 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.
The "Brothers In Arms" album sold over 23 million copies worldwide. Sonni played guitar synth on "The Man's Too Strong" and is listed in the "special thanks" for his other contributions to the album.
The record-breaking worldwide tour lasted 12 months with the band doing 247 shows in over 100 different cities which included Strait's Live Aid Wembley Stadium appearance and Royal Command performance for Prince Charles and Lady Diana.
During this time, Jack played with Pete Townshend, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Sting, Nils Lofgren, Branford Marsalis and Hank Marvin.
On stage, Sonni was renowned for high energy presence and unique 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.
Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits appeared as the headline act at the Nelson Madela Concert in Wembley Stadium with "last minute stand in" as Jack had just become a father to the twin girls. Mark Knopfler congratulated Jack and introduced Eric Clapton as the last minute stand in.
primarily overseeing the company's advertising, promotions and public relations, a position he left in 2006.
, to work on a memoir book project and attempt 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.
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.
After living in Baja Sur for 18 months, he has moved to Healdsburg, California
.
Jack spent a couple of weeks in May 2011 in Lower Village Kennebunkport, Maine
, visiting old college friend and fellow musician John K. During that time he sat in on several gigs with local favorites "The Lower Village People".
Dire Straits
Dire Straits were a British rock band active from 1977 to 1995, composed of Mark Knopfler , his younger brother David Knopfler , John Illsley , and Pick Withers .Dire Straits' sound drew from a variety of musical influences, including jazz, folk, blues, and came closest...
during the band's "Brothers In Arms" era.
In the late 1970s Jack's band The Leisure Classhad become a Monday night fixture at Kenny's Castaways on Bleecker Street
Bleecker Street
Bleecker Street is a street in New York City's Manhattan borough. It is perhaps most famous today as a Greenwich Village nightclub district. The street is a spine that connects a neighborhood today popular for music venues and comedy, but which was once a major center for American bohemia.Bleecker...
in Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village, , , , .in New York often simply called "the Village", is a largely residential neighborhood on the west side of Lower Manhattan in New York City. A large majority of the district is home to upper middle class families...
, the place for up and coming acts. A revolving door of members included "John K"—bassist for Cyndy Lauper, Madonna, David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
and Serge Gainsbourg—Carlos Alomar
Carlos Alomar
Carlos Alomar is an American guitarist, composer and arranger best known for his work with David Bowie, having played on more Bowie albums than any other musician...
, 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
Pensa Custom Guitars
Pensa Custom Guitars is an American company that manufactures electric guitars and basses in handmade fashion. The company is based in New York City. Pensa Custom Guitars was founded by argentinian luthier Rudy Pensa. Pensa strives to make extremely high quality guitars. They are therefore among...
, where he met members of Dire Straits, first David
David Knopfler
David Knopfler is a British singer-songwriter, rhythm guitarist, pianist and cofounder of the critically acclaimed rock band Dire Straits....
and then Mark Knopfler
Mark Knopfler
Mark Freuder Knopfler, OBE is a Scottish-born British guitarist, singer, songwriter, record producer and film score composer. He is best known as the lead guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for the British rock band Dire Straits, which he co-founded in 1977...
.
Dire Straits
His friendship with the Knopflers had grown to the extent that he was asked to visit them in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, which he eventually did. When David left the band, Hal Lindes
Hal Lindes
Hal Andrew Lindes is an English-American guitarist and film score composer.In 1980 he began recording a solo album with producer Al Kooper, along with Herbie Flowers on bass and John Bradbury on drums...
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
Brothers in Arms (Dire Straits album)
- Original LP track listing :- 2005 Re-Issue 2 LP track listing :The 2005 Limited Edition Deluxe 180 gram High Performance Vinyl reissue contained the full-length versions of all songs by spreading out the songs over two half speed mastered LPs....
were approaching, and Mark Knopfler asked Jack to join the band for that recording and the subsequent tour. Jack accepted promptly.
The "Brothers In Arms" album sold over 23 million copies worldwide. Sonni played guitar synth on "The Man's Too Strong" and is listed in the "special thanks" for his other contributions to the album.
The record-breaking worldwide tour lasted 12 months with the band doing 247 shows in over 100 different cities which included Strait's Live Aid Wembley Stadium appearance and Royal Command performance for Prince Charles and Lady Diana.
During this time, Jack played with Pete Townshend, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Sting, Nils Lofgren, Branford Marsalis and Hank Marvin.
On stage, Sonni was renowned for high energy presence and unique 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.
Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits appeared as the headline act at the Nelson Madela Concert in Wembley Stadium with "last minute stand in" as Jack had just become a father to the twin girls. Mark Knopfler congratulated Jack and introduced Eric Clapton as the last minute stand in.
Discography
- Brothers in ArmsBrothers in Arms (Dire Straits album)- Original LP track listing :- 2005 Re-Issue 2 LP track listing :The 2005 Limited Edition Deluxe 180 gram High Performance Vinyl reissue contained the full-length versions of all songs by spreading out the songs over two half speed mastered LPs....
(1985) - Money for NothingMoney for Nothing (album)Money for Nothing is a greatest hits album by Dire Straits released in 1988. It features highlights from the band's first five albums. The vinyl edition omits "Telegraph Road" and has a different running order, with "Tunnel of Love" placed between "Money for Nothing", the title track, and "Brothers...
(compilation) (1988) - Sultans of Swing: The Very Best of Dire Straits (compilation) (1998)
- The Best of Dire Straits & Mark Knopfler: Private InvestigationsThe Best of Dire Straits & Mark Knopfler: Private InvestigationsThe Best of Dire Straits & Mark Knopfler: Private Investigations is a 2005 best of album. Named after their 1982 hit single, it consists of material by Dire Straits, with songs selected from the majority of the group's six studio albums from 1978 up to the group's dissolution in 1995...
(compilation) (2005)
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 CenterGuitar Center
Guitar Center is the largest chain of musical instrument retailers in the world with 223 locations throughout the United States. Its headquarters is in Westlake Village, California....
primarily overseeing the company's advertising, promotions and public relations, a position he left in 2006.
Today
In 2007, moved to Baja Sur, MexicoMexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, to work on a memoir book project and attempt 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.
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.
After living in Baja Sur for 18 months, he has moved to Healdsburg, California
Healdsburg, California
Healdsburg is a city located in Sonoma County, California, in the United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a population of 11,254...
.
Jack spent a couple of weeks in May 2011 in Lower Village Kennebunkport, Maine
Kennebunkport, Maine
Kennebunkport is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 3,720 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford metropolitan statistical area....
, visiting old college friend and fellow musician John K. During that time he sat in on several gigs with local favorites "The Lower Village People".