Outside the Box is a blues-based Americana rock band from the Jersey Shore. The group consists of Jeff Cafone (Guitar, Vocals), Mark Masefield (Hammond B3 Organ, Keyboards), Ryan Wheeler (Bass Guitar), and Francis Valentino (Drums, Percussion). The band is embraced by “new school” and “old school” forces alike. Their ability to blend classic elements of rock with a modern flare and a driving blues-inspired pop edge, have quickly developed OTB into one of New Jersey's most dynamic bands.
The ...
Outside the Box is a blues-based Americana rock band from the Jersey Shore. The group consists of Jeff Cafone (Guitar, Vocals), Mark Masefield (Hammond B3 Organ, Keyboards), Ryan Wheeler (Bass Guitar), and Francis Valentino (Drums, Percussion). The band is embraced by “new school” and “old school” forces alike. Their ability to blend classic elements of rock with a modern flare and a driving blues-inspired pop edge, have quickly developed OTB into one of New Jersey's most dynamic bands.
The band was formed in October 2004, and quickly worked their way into many of the popular venues throughout New Jersey. In 2007, they were nominated in two categories (Top Young Band and Top Blues Band) at the Asbury Music Awards. After releasing their first EP in 2008, they were honored to be selected as the Stone Pony House Band. This continued through 2009. During this period, the band shared the bill with the national acts such as, Govt. Mule, Johnny Winter, The Fab Faux, and The Smithereens. In 2008, the band won the Asbury Music Award categories for Top Young and Top Blues Bands, and received nominations for Top Keyboard Player and Top Male Vocalist. The band retained the title “Top Blues Band” at the 2009 awards, and was nominated for Top Live Performance, and Top Male Vocalist. Mark Masefield won the award for Top Keyboard Player.
The band has been exposed to the NYC audience through regular airplay on 101.9 WRXP’s “Anything Anything” show, and playing at various venues throughout the city hosted by Rich Russo, the shows DJ. You can also hear the OTB’s songs played on New Jersey’s 90.5 WBJB.
The band established a relationship with New Jersey’s legendary Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, and shared the bill with them several times at new venues such as the Wellmont Theatre and the Count Basie Theatre. Jukes guitar player Bobby Bandiera (Asbury Jukes, Bon Jovi) offered to work with OTB and produced their second EP, which featured the Jukes horn section, including Mark Pender (The Tonight Show Band, Springsteen’s Super Bowl horns) on trumpet.
Other bands that Outside the Box and its members have had the opportunity to share the stage or bill with include Blues Traveler, James Otto, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Jimmy Vivino (The Tonight Show Band), Richie “La Bamba” Rosenberg (The Tonight Show Band, Springsteen’s Super Bowl horns), Jerry Gaskill (Kings X), RAQ, and John Eddie.
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