about the band
Ecstatic audiences find themselves dancing, or delightedly tapping their feet, to LUCKY MARY's rock, r&b and alt-country-influenced dance music. Driving guitar, masterful sax, soulful bass and dynamic drums support vivid rock vocals and back up harmonies. LUCKY MARY's repertoire ranges from Motown to the Nashville sound. It's as if Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers crashed into Smash Mouth while listening to Dido covering Steppenwolf and Wilson Pickett...and a little Bonnie and Lucinda.
Sandra Koski - Lead Vocals, Guitar
At 12 years old Sandra's brother taught her some guitar chords, then she watched a series of lessons on Channel 11 (Yeah PBS!), and then she started performing. School talent shows, singing with her three sisters, and gigs at teen clubs led to playing solo at Portsmouth's premiere downtown coffee house -The New World - in the late 60's.
Joining her first rock band in high school, Sandra's adoration of singing and playing dance music, and getting people dancing, was born - and has only gotten stronger.
Sandra has fronted and performed in bands with Grammy Award winner Jeff Coffin (Bela Fleck and the Flecktones) and Ned Chase (Truffle), opened for Country Joe McDonald, and made a living busking in the subways of NYC - where Christopher Reeves (a/k/a Superman) shyly tossed a contribution while he waited for a train.
Born in South Carolina, Sandra's confident vocals are often infused with a subtle southern twang that adds a unique dimension to Lucky Mary's sound.
Jackie Thorpe - Sax, Rhythm Guitar
After picking up the sax in 7th grade, Jackie went on to play with the University of New Hampshire Jazz Band and toured with them through Europe. Following graduation she performed extensively around New England with a popular R&B group.
Jackie's imaginative sax solos are an integral feature with Lucky Mary - from scorching rockers to lyrical ballads her interpretations are rich and original. Occasionally she will step out of her saxophonist role and play guitar on a few numbers. Jackie also adds back up vocals when she's got a free moment from blowing swanky sax.
Lynne Robertson - Bass, Vocals
Lynne started playing guitar when she was 18, but didn't really get earnest about it until she moved to Nashville. She figured if she wasn't going to beat them, better join them, and proceeded to take lessons from a great guitar teacher in Nashville - Ellen Britton.
Back in New England Lynne studied with Kent Allyn and made the transition from acoustic guitar to electric bass so swiftly it could make your head spin. She plays with such inherent feeling you'd think she'd been playing bass all along.
Lynne's musical versatility is evident in her solid playing which adds color, texture and groove to Lucky Mary's driving rhythm section. In addition to playing bass, her resonant vocal harmonies enhance most of Lucky Mary's song list.
Sue Grattan - Drums, Percussion
Sue just naturally goes with drums, although she also plays a pretty mean guitar. Her nickname "Fire Kitty" perfectly describes her ability to complement Lucky Mary's rhythm section. Sue's energy, enthusiasm and instinctive curiosity spark infectious dance grooves.
She has studied with Jamie DeCato, and continues to learn and teach by giving drum lessons to an aspiring group of young musicians. Sue also contributes to backup harmonies.
