The Exotic Surf Tones
January 2011 – Back: Ed Ellis, Ryan Tanner, Paul Tanner
Front: Sandy Rosado, Mike’s daughter, Mike Rosado
The Exotic Surf Tones is a diverse group performing surf/lounge, tiki, and exotica, including original instrumental tunes in the styles of surf, western, exotica, spy, lounge, and world beat. Originally known as The Acoustic Surf Tones from 2003-2018, guitars predominated, backed by percussion, with some flute, sax, and vocals for added color. Recently, the group has added even more percussion (to-ere log, vibraphone, guiro, cabasa, claves) and strayed into true exotica music (think Martin Denny). The exotica side includes classic tunes such as “Quiet Village” and “Similau”, as well as surf tunes done in exotica style and original tunes. Based in Storrs, CT, this group consists of Mike Rosado on lead guitar, Sandy Rosado on vibraphone, rhythm guitar, flute, alto flute, alto sax, and occasional vocals, and a rhythm section consisting of Ryan Tanner on African drums / bongos and other percussion, and Paul Tanner on bass guitar. Recently, Phred Rawles has also been adding percussion to the ensemble. (Ed Ellis and Mike’s daughter, in second photo, provide added percussion from time to time.) This group can perform a full set of surf music, a full set of exotica music, or BOTH!!
Mike has many years of experience fronting his original surf/rock band 9th Wave, a popular regional act with seven published recordings. Sandy is a classically trained composer and flutist as well as a singer/songwriter. She previously fronted her own original rock band, Not Too Shabby, and has been a member of 9th Wave since 2000. Phred Rawles is the drummer for 9th Wave and other local bands. Paul and Ryan Tanner are a father/son team who also play with another CT surf band, The Crustaceans.
The band has performed in numerous CT venues for such events as fundraisers, corporate promotions, dinner shows, etc., as well as at Otto’s Shrunken Head Tiki Bar, and The Cutting Room in New York City, where a live recording was made. EST is a proud member of the North East Surf Music Alliance, NESMA.
See more photos, interview, & info on the band on their NESMA member page.
Shows
5/10/24 – CliCK in Willimantic CT, Eats & Beats program 6-8 pm
3/16/24 – Tiki event at Gigantic Bar, 78 Cottage St., Easthampton MA
8/12/23 – Private party
8/6/23 – Cruisin’ on Main St., Manchester CT
7/4/23 – Private party
5/12/23 – CliCK in Willimantic CT, Eats & Beats program
8/20/22 Steeplechase Charity Event, Willimantic CT
8/7/22 – Cruisin’ on Main St., Manchester CT
7/4/22 – Private party
6/16/22 – Third Thursday Street Festival, Main St., Willimantic CT
6/10/22 – CliCK in Willimantic CT, Eats & Beats program
12/18/21 – Private party
12/11/21 – Private party
10/31/21 – Trick or Treat on Main St., Willimantic CT
8/1/21 – Cruisin’ on Main St., Manchester CT
7/16/21 – CliCK in Willimantic (rained out!)
7/4/21 – Private Party
8/15/19 – Third Thursday Street Festival, Main St., Willimantic CT
8/9/19 – Tiki / exotica night at Conspiracy, 350 Main St., 2nd fl, Middletown CT
8/4/19 – Cruisin’ on Main St., Manchester CT
7/4/19 – Private party
6/3/19 – Willi Whitewater River Blessing Ceremony in Willimantic CT
10/20/18 – Private Party
8/5/18 – Cruisin’ on Main St. Car Show in Manchester CT with The Clams and The Aquatudes!
8/2/18 – Beller’s Music Summer Concert Series at The Whiton Library, 100 N. Main St., Manchester CT
7/18/18 – Pratt & Whitney Summer Concert Series “Beach Night” in Manchester CT – at MARC Inc., 151 Sheldon St., Manchester CT
7/4/18 – Private party
6/20/18 – Whitewater Partnership event, 28 Bridge St., Willimantic CT
8/6/17 – Cruisin’ on Main St. Car Show in Manchester CT with The Clams and 9th Wave
5/28/17 – Private party
8/7/16 – Cruisin’ on Main St. Car Show in Manchester CT with The Clams and Aquatudes
4/24/16 – “CLICK” Earth Day event at 41 Club Rd., Windham CT
8/1/15 – Recreation Park, Jackson St., Willimantic CT
7/18/15 – Private event in Preston CT
6/20/15 – “CLICK” grand opening in Windham CT
8/3/14 – Cruisin’ on Main Street Car Show in Manchester CT
10/6/12 – Unsteady Freddie’s Surf Rock Shindig at Otto’s Shrunken Head Tiki Bar in New York City
9/22/12 – Private party
8/18/12 – Private party
12/29/11 – Benefit for Windham Harm Reduction Coalition at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 220 Valley St., Willimantic CT
10/1/11 – Private party
9/25/11 – The Annex at WindhamARTS, 480 Main St., Willimantic CT
8/20/11 – Private party
7/2/11 – Unsteady Freddie’s Surf Rock Shindig at Otto’s Shrunken Head Tiki Bar in New York City
6/9/11 – Manchester Stroll, Main St. (near Beller’s Music), Manchester CT
6/8/11 – Fred’s Brick House Pizza, 1681 W. Main St., Willimantic CT – MS fundraiser
3/6/11 – Sunday Brunch at The General Store, Route 195, Mansfield CT
1/30/11 – Stafford Arts Commission Coffee House, 221 East St., Staffordville CT
7/24/10 – Private party
9/12/09 – Private party
8/7/09 – Murphy’s Drive-in, 94 Route 66, Columbia CT
6/27/09 – Fred’s Brick House Pizza, 1681 W. Main St., Willimantic CT
10/14/07 – Private party
8/16/07 – Third Thursday street festival, Main St., Willimantic CT
6/23/07 – Wrench in the Works, Main St., Willimantic CT
5/5/07 – Private party
4/18/07 – Earth Day celebration at Eastern CT State University, Willimantic CT
11/17/06 – Benefit concert, Willimantic CT
10/21/06 – Farmer’s Market, East Hampton CT
9/29/06 – Oobah’s Deli, Main St., Willimantic CT with The Crustaceans
9/2/06 – Unsteady Freddie’s Surf Rock Shindig at Otto’s Shrunken Head Tiki Bar in New York City
7/1/06 – Private party
6/21/06 – Annie Vinton school fun day
4/29/06 – Old Oak Tavern, Granby CT with The Clams
4/19/06 – Earth Day celebration at Eastern CT State University, Willimantic CT
12/22/05 – Annie Vinton School, Mansfield CT
10/28/05 – Oobah’s Deli, Main St., Willimantic CT
10/22/05 – Private party
10/8/05 – Private fundraiser
10/1/05 – Schmedley’s Pub, Storrs CT with The Cavities
9/18/05 – Private party
7/2/05 – Satalla (the Temple of World Music), New York City
6/30/05 – Bank St. Cafe, New London CT with The Clams
5/22/05 – Wine tasting event for “Twin Fin” wines at Blue Sky Foods, New Hartford CT
5/20/05 – Schmedley’s Pub, Storrs CT with the Brothers Donovan
4/29/05 – Oobah’s Deli, Main St., Willimantic CT
3/18/05 – Schmedley’s Pub, Storrs CT with The Warehouse Band
1/28/05 – Schmedley’s Pub, Storrs CT with Dreamswell
11/27/04 – The Cutting Room, New York City (poster) with SPF-4
10/29/04 – Oobah’s Deli, Main St., Willimantic CT
8/29/04 – Windham Textile Museum fundraiser, Willimantic CT
8/26/04 – Bank St. Cafe, New London CT with The Clams
5/14/04 – Schmedley’s Pub, Storrs CT with 9th Wave
5/1/04 – Oobah’s Deli, Main St., Willimantic CT
4/10/04 – Private party
9/27/03 – Mixers Pub, Windsor CT
9/13/03 – Oobah’s Deli, Main St., Willimantic CT – Dinner with the Candidates
8/8/03 – Oobah’s Deli, Main St., Willimantic CT
4/26/03 – Gemini’s, Simsbury CT with The Clams
1/3/03 – Schmedley’s Pub, Storrs CT (as Duo Surf Tones)
11/7/02 – Oobah’s Deli, Main St., Willimantic CT – art opening (as Duo Surf Tones)