Mixed Company

Mixed Company was formed in 1980 after Jersey City, New Jersey, USA-based a cappella group the Street-Tones ground to a halt. Joseph Santora (first tenor), Jimmy Woods (second tenor), John ‘Bull’ Zielinski (baritone) and John Romano (bass) were the original members of that unit, who played regularly on street corners in the vicinity. They became Patty And The Street-Tones in 1979 when Patty Zielinski, wife of John, joined them. Their first single was a version of ‘Rendezvous With You’ (originally cut by the Desires) and they recorded another Desires’ number, ‘Let It Please Be You’, for their next release, the first of four singles they subsequently released for Clifton Records. These were later compiled on an album by the label shared with recordings by the Ribitones. Jeff Chambers (ex-Bayonne) had replaced Santora by this time, with David Willis taking over from John Romano. The Street-Tones eventually went their separate ways in 1981 and Mixed Company came about as an immediate aftershock. This coalition saw Charles ‘Cada’ Brooks (bass) join the existing Street-Tones line-up of the Zielinskis, Chambers and Woods. As a more professional and motivated group they set about establishing the new name on dates within New York and New Jersey, culminating in a contract struck with Stan Krause of Catamount Records. ‘Are You Ready’ was released in 1986, followed by an album, Buzzin’ With Mixed Company. It received a good reaction for an out-of-time a cappella release, particularly in England where the group toured.