We're a Grownup Band
Translation...we've been around since the '70s.
About Us
In 1978, Lise Uyanik, a gifted singer of Turkish descent and the daughter of an NC State University structural engineer, brought together the Mobile City Band -- a group mostly comprised of recent Duke University graduates who had just elected to make Durham their permanent home. They have since made significant contributions to the area over the years.
Today the band is...
§ Lead guitar
Charlie Ebel, a founding employee of Africa News Service, is now a writer and development officer for American Social Health Association, in Research Triangle Park.
§ Drums
Rodger Tygard, who came to Duke as a student in 1970 and became co-founder of the Salaam Cultural Center.
§ Bass
Lew Wardell, assistant director of public safety for Duke University for a number of years, now a planner with the Durham Police Department.
§ Back-up singer
Mary Rocap, a founder of Durham's first natural foods restaurant, Somethyme, and the recent recipient of an NC Arts Council Songwriting Fellowship.
§ Keyboard and sax
player Jay Miller, founder of the Music Loft in Durham, now a chain of instrument stores across the Triangle and Triad.
Also in the Band
§ Percussionist Sue Sneddon, a painter and illustrator who worked for the NC Museum of Life and Science and now regularly shows her work in galleries across North and South Carolina.
§ Back-up singers Ann Alexander, co-founder with her husband, Lex, of Wellspring Grocery. And Donna Giles, a communications training specialist at Duke.