Dow Bowman

Sax, Keys, Vocals

Don is the lead vocalist and well as wind instrumentalist for the band who has a very emotive style and delivery. Influenced by George Michael and the harmonies of Manhattan Transfer, Don's vocals are showcased several Hemisphere albums.

Born in San Diego, Don lived in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Paris by the time he was in his teens.  Don began playing the saxophone during his sophomore year in high school. Already an accomplished player on the flute and piccolo, he pursued the sax eagerly, joining his high school stage band. After graduating from Berklee College of Music, he returned to San Diego and worked for many years in various bands of different styles, from Rock, Jazz, R'n'B, Pop, Be-bop.

Don has performed with the SD Opera Chorus and various vocal ensembles though out California. As one of Rob's best friends, he contributed his sax and keyboard skills and co-wrote a number of the songs on the albums "Blue Planet Dreams". "Destinations," "American Dreams" and "Unity".

Don Bowman on Facebook

Max Zape - Rest in peace

Keys, Vocals - Click image for playlist

Max could always be counted on for a smile and his ability to always find the  appropriate chord qualities to play, the right voicing or inversion, and the harmonic implication of the melody of the song.

Max Zape was one of the busiest keyboardists in San Diego with over 30 years [starting at age 12] of gigging under his belt.  His musicality comes naturally from his parents who sang to him as a child, as well as their friends who are singers and musicians [including trombonist Frank Rosolino, and singer Mavis Rivers]. A multi-instrumentalist, keyboards are just one facet of Max's music and he credits his childhood music teachers [Fredericka Pedersen, Agnes Ockert, Gary Withem, Delbert Bangle and Michael Luzak] for encouraging his musical pursuits. But most of all, he credits his late father for instilling the musical dream and telling him that there are only two kinds of music: good and bad ; )  

Performing with such a dizzying array of artists  and styles that encompass everything from acid jazz to rock, country, punk to world, show tunes to jingles, Max truly has become a world musician.  Max was a major force on Hemisphere's Destinations album and we were sad for his passing in 2026.  a link to his playlist is below.

Maz Zape - Originals playlist

Mitch Michelle

Guitars, Keys, Mixing, Production

Hailing from Rob's home state of Michigan, Mitch has had  which has had well over 2 million views on YouTube.  Mitch Michelle became known for cult classics like “People In The News” and “Offering”.  He is working on a new vocal project, which he hopes you will be able to hear by 2026, should you choose to do so!  He continues to collaborate with Rob on the DEA albums and other projects. 

Mitch Michelle on Facebook

Mike McQuilken

Drums, Percussion

Mike holds down the creative rhythmic structures for the band with a passion for feel and adaptability.  His open and warm personality puts everyone he meets at ease.

Michael McQuilken was born in San Diego, California. He began studying privately when he was 11 years old. His heroes in his youth were Ginger Baker, Bill Bruford, and Carl Palmer. He performed with all the school bands and orchestras and was a member of the San Diego Youth Symphony.  His private teacher had him begin teaching his beginning students at age 14.  From high school until 1984, he performed with various top-40 bands, blues bands, and jazz combos. 

Michael met Rob Shinno in 1984. This partnership created Thurston's Adventure in 1984 with Viki Tama, which evolved into Return to Zero bringing in Jef Kmak. In 1985 Rob and Michael formed Uncommon Ground with Guitarist Ken Oyer and bassist Michael Moore and released Structures. In 1987, Michael met a Senegalese drummer named Ibou M'Baye and studied African music with him.  In 1988 Rob and Michael formed New Continent and released World One World followed by the 1990 release Information Age.

In 1991, Michael met Ginger Baker and enjoyed the opportunity of studying with him.  He took some master classes with Terry Bozzio and worked on ostinato interdependence techniques and integrating African music and other music from around the world into drum set arrangements. Michael then met Robert Sherwood (aka bob) and formed Fiction Damage with guitarist George Sanchez. This resulted in the 1995 release Heathen Stuff. In 1996 the band changed its name to Fiction and had TJ Brinjak on guitar.  That same year Michael also formed the straight-ahead jazz ensemble So What with guitarist Doug Reese and bassist Ralph Schatz.

In 1998 Fiction released This is Fiction, which experienced the song I Could Cry climbing to #38 on the Adult Contemporary charts. The band fell apart within a year of this success, and Michael returned to playing straight-ahead jazz and was performing weekly in the San Diego Gaslamp district.  He also was studying Indian classical music and tabla with Miles Shrewsbery. 

During this time, he reconnected with Rob Shinno and realized how much he had missed producing music with him.  This led to performing with Rob and Don in 2018 and he will be writing, recording, and performing with Hemisphere in 2020 and beyond.

Nathan Brown

Bass

Nate has always been noted for his sense of 'groove and attitude' as well as delivering the 'killer' bass tone both live and in the studio.  He also rocks a mean cup of java.

As a result, Nathan Brown is one of San Diego's most expressive bass guitarists (not to mention his smile). Originally from Detroit, MI., now based in Southern California. He currently tours and performs with blues rock artist Coco Montoya, is a long time member of the Scott Wilkie Band and serves as a bass player for The Rock Church in San Diego. He is working with Hemisphere on the American Dreams album and live shows planned for release in 2020, as well as a solo project in the works! 

He has performed and/or recorded with Alexander Zonjic, The Boneshakers, Patrick Yandall, Brian Simpson, Kamau Kenyatta, Darryl Williams, Debora Galan, Burt Brion, Under The Lake, Hemisphere and many others. 

Nathan Brown on Facebook

Peter Sprague

Guitars, Arrangements, Mixes

Peter Sprague is a San Diego based jazz guitarist, composer, arranger, recording engineer, producer, and life-long surfer, and a great friend who has guided Rob in Hemisphere, the DEA and other projects.  An amazing guitarist with an ear for arrangements, Peter continues to work with Rob on arranging, recording (at Spragueland Studios).

Peter Sprague Homepage

Leonard Patton, Peter Sprague, Pat Metheny

3 of A perfect pair...

I've been lucky enough to be able to have Leonard Patton record and perform on several albusm and shows.  He is an amazing talent, now on tour with Pat Metheny!  Amazing!

Leonard Patton is a versatile jazz vocalist and performer with over two decades of professional experience, known for his warm tenor voice, expressive improvisation, and instrumental approach to singing. He holds a master’s degree in Jazz Studies from San Diego State University and is respected for his deep musical knowledge and collaborative artistry. Patton has released two acclaimed recordings, including Love, Life, and Song, nominated for Best Jazz Album at the San Diego Music Awards, and Expressions, a duo project with Grammy-nominated pianist Geoffrey Keezer. In addition to his jazz career, he has performed extensively in musical theater with leading San Diego companies. He is also the owner and artistic force behind The Jazz Lounge, an intimate San Diego venue dedicated to live music and creative collaboration.

Leonard Patton homepage

Rob has been lucky enough to have been surrounded by so much great talent over the years, so a special thanks to Janet Hammer, Allison Adams Tucker, Whitney Shay, Tommy Aros, Jon Harford, Chirs Klich, Paul Seaforth, James Abbuhl, and so many more!