After years of performing professionally and collaborating with musicians across the nation, locally renowned bassist Johnnie Barker returned to his roots with a singular vision: to create a musical experience as unpredictable as it was exhilarating. He didn't want to form a band; he wanted to build a "Project," a fluid collective where genre boundaries dissolved and creativity took center stage.
What resulted from this vision is not simply a jazz, funk, or rock band. It's what we affectionately call a "musical gumbo." With deep roots in Jazz, The Barker Project masterfully blends the rhythmic pulse of Funk, the soulful grit of Blues, the raw power of Rock, and the transcendent spirit of Gospel into a sound that defies easy categorization. As the Sarasota Herald-Tribune once noted, "The Barker Project is a sonic adventure; you never know what's coming next, but you know it's going to be a ride." We don't just play songs; we reinterpret them, giving well-known melodies a new life that is both fresh and thrilling for our audiences.
The Barker Project is a collective of seasoned professionals with a rotating cast of talented friends and colleagues. Each member, a master of their instrument, brings a unique voice and perspective to the stage. This fluid membership is the very heart of the "Project" name; it allows for a constant infusion of new ideas and a perpetual push to grow creatively with every performance. The defining characteristic of our music is the joy of performing together, celebrating the collaborative spirit that makes our sound truly unique.
The story of The Barker Project began after Johnnie's time at the esteemed Berklee College of Music. After years of immersive study and extensive work around the southeastern United States, a serendipitous reunion with friends and fellow musicians in the Sarasota and Tampa Bay area sparked the idea for a new kind of musical endeavor. It was in a dimly lit rehearsal space just outside of Sarasota where the vision for a fusion of their diverse musical backgrounds took hold. From that moment, The Barker Project was born, built on a shared passion for exploring the intersections of all the music they love.
To experience the joy and spontaneity of The Barker Project, check our schedule for upcoming performances or contact us for booking inquiries.
The Barker Project: A Musical Gumbo
Johnnie Barker
Johnnie Barker is the dynamic multi-instrumentalist who founded and leads the jazz fusion band, The Barker Project. A Sarasota, Florida native, his passion for music was ignited at age 15, inspired by his church's main bassist and youth pastor.
He quickly immersed himself in performance, honing his skills across multiple instruments in local music ensembles and high school band programs before formalizing his expertise at Berklee College of Music.
His extensive professional career includes performance and recording work across multiple genres, spanning the U.S. He has served in the backing band for major Gospel artists such as Wes Morgan, Le'Andria Johnson, and Beverly Crawford, and collaborated with figures like Charles Taylor, Johnny Rawls, and Michael Allman. He also performed with notable bands and ensembles, including Come Back Alice, Ari & the Alibis, NexX Level, James Varnado Funk Band, Dirty Byrd, and Juicy Purple.
Johnnie remains active in his creative endeavors as the founder of his jazz fusion band, The Barker Project, assembling talented friends and colleagues from around the nation. With roots in Jazz, The Barker Project blends Funk, Rock, Blues, and Gospel, creating a musical gumbo known for its creative interpretations and original music. Johnnie's dedication to his craft is evident in the band's mission to push the limits of music.
Beyond the stage, Johnnie’s hands-on experience in the entertainment industry led to the founding of TBP Productions in 2020. This multi-media company dedicated to technical excellence served as the core platform for the formation of TBP Media Group, LLC. As Founder and CEO, Johnnie guides this parent company, demonstrating how an artist’s commitment to craft can successfully be channeled into a thriving enterprise.
Bass & Bandleader
Dr. Rande Sanderbeck
Dr. Rande Sanderbeck has been a Professor of Percussion at East Tennessee State University since 1985. He retired in the spring of 2018. He received his B.M. and M.M. from West Virginia University and his DMA in Percussion Performance from the University of Kentucky.
His unaccompanied drum set solo “Homage to Max” is published by Studio 4 Music, and “Stylistic Modulations for 3” is published by JW3 Music. Another piece titled “Blue Blues” is included in “The Blue Book, Volume 2” and “Blue Samba” in “The Blue Book, Volume 3”, which are both collections of solo pieces by UK alumni.
Rande was also a contributing writer for “Jazz Player” magazine and has also released two masterclass CDs that have been included in “Jazz Player” and “Saxophone Journal” magazines.
Drums, Percussion
Eric Zabala
Eric is a jazz-focused multi-instrumentalist from Spokane, Washington, primarily playing the vibraphone, but also skilled in percussion, piano, bass, guitar, and trumpet.
He studied under masters like Dr. Miho Takekawa and Dr. Ben Thomas during college and participated in the 2020 and 2021 Steve Weiss Online Mallet Festivals, learning from renowned artists such as Tony Miceli and Stefon Harris.
A summa cum laude graduate from Pacific Lutheran University in 2020, Eric excelled as an orchestral percussionist, winning the Student Soloist competition and the PASIC Ludwig Industries Scholarship. He also studied jazz with Dr. Cassio Vianna, refining his skills in jazz harmony.
Since relocating to St. Petersburg, Florida, in 2021, Eric has performed with The Barker Project and participated in events like the Clearwater Jazz Holiday. He actively shares his music on YouTube and Instagram, playing various instruments and creating backing tracks.
In addition to performing, Eric has a strong background in music education. He offers in-person drum lessons, online guitar lessons, and teaches piano at Beretta Music Academy in Clearwater, FL. He has also served as a beginning band teacher and a substitute Percussion Teaching Artist.
Vibraphone, Percussion, Keyboards
Jayden Titus
Jayden Titus is a trumpet player and composer based in Sarasota, Florida, and serves as the co-bandleader of The Barker Project.
He is proficient in various genres, including jazz, fusion, R&B, soul, and contemporary free jazz.
Jayden is currently studying at the USF School of Music. He previously earned his Associate in Arts degree at SCF, where he studied jazz with Dr. Pete Carney.
Jayden can occasionally be seen playing in local areas across the Tampa Bay region, such as St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and Bradenton. He has played at numerous venues in the Sarasota area, ranging from hotels like the St. Regis to places like the Sarasota Art Museum.
Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Tristan Titus
Tristan Titus is excited to be the new addition to The Barker Project! Originally from Fort Lauderdale, FL, they've been all about music since they can remember, jamming out on saxophone, baritone, and tuba. With a vibe influenced by jazz, hip-hop, lo-fi, and funk, they can't wait to add their twist to the band’s sound.
Having played at fantastic venues and festivals, Tristan knows how to get a crowd hyped. They’re all about teamwork and creativity, which fits with The Barker Project's mission to keep pushing the limits of music.
Tristan is looking forward to collaborating with the incredible members of the band, diving into songwriting, and crafting tunes that stick with listeners. When not on stage, he loves working out at the gym and online gaming, which keeps their creativity flowing.
Tristan is ready to jump in and create some unforgettable music together as The Barker Project gears up for a new season!
Saxophone
Jonathon DeWitty
Jonathan Dewitty's journey as a musician has been filled with blessings and opportunities, where he strives to be as creative as his mind allows. This creative mindset led him to connect with Johnnie Barker after playing music around downtown Sarasota.
Born and raised in Bradenton, Florida, Jonathan was introduced to the violin at an early age and received classical training with the Sarasota Youth Orchestras. Upon completing the full program and sitting with professional string players, his paradigm shifted toward establishing his own unique sound.
The violin is his favorite instrument because he believes it is the only one with which he can express any emotion, while having a plethora of techniques to articulate his ideas. Becoming a member of The Barker Project will not only fuel his creativity but also allow him to grow and thrive with like-minded musicians on such a serendipitous journey.
Violin
Petra
Petra Barrow is a classically trained vocalist hailing from Brooklyn, New York, with family roots in Grenada. She moved to Sarasota, Florida, at age 10, where she began singing in her school choir and church, later winning the local competition, Sarasota High School Idol.
She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a Bachelor's in Music, focusing on Vocal Performance. While there, she led the band Petra and the Priorities, opening for acts such as Kids These Days and Gym Class Heroes.
Petra also aspires to improve children's health in her community and completed a Post-Baccalaureate in Pre-Dental, Pre-Medical, and Pre-Health studies at the University of Florida.
Now back in Sarasota, she is a vocalist for The Barker Project, a band that blends various musical styles, including Jazz, Blues, and Gospel, to create a unique sound. Petra particularly enjoys delivering soulful tunes and ballads.
Vocals
Joycelyn Corbert
Vocalist and Sarasota native Joycelyn S. Corbert has been involved in and giving the gift of music since the age of six.
She joined The Barker Project in October of 2022, and it was a match made in heaven.
Joycelyn sings with The Barker Project and can also be found on local live music calendars for venues such as Whitney’s Longboat Key, Floriday’s at Margaritaville (Manatee Ave), and Craftails Speakeasy in downtown Bradenton.
