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Jon Svetkey

Who Are The Loomers?

Who Are The Loomers

The Loomers have been passionate about making music an integral part of our hectic, full-time lives since 1994. Our songbook is a trip through the American musical landscape –– infused with the classic sounds of driving rock, heartland folk, rock & soul, and retro-1980s pop –– filled with the joys, hopes, sorrows and wonders of growing older.

Our musical family has expanded over the years. These days it's comprised of JON SVETKEY (acoustic guitar, lead vocals, songs), EVERETT PENDLETON (electric guitar, harmony vocals), JACK CAVALIER (bass guitar, harmony vocals), MICHAEL CAHILL (drums), ROB LAURENS (keyboards), HEATHER QUAY (harmony vocals), TOM SIMONS (electric guitar), and JEFF ISEN (guitar, mandolin, trombone, kitchen sink, vocals).

Some cool things we've been lucky enough to do over the years: we backed John Mellencamp at a party at the 2004 Democratic National Convention; performed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Fenway Park, The House of Blues, The Somerville Theatre, and CBGBs, among many venues; sold out Club Passim, the legendary acoustic music Mecca in Cambridge, Massachusetts; and, we won Berklee College Of Music's "Battle Of The Executive Bands" twice. We've released five albums -- Reeling Down A Road (2010), Tomorrow Today (2006), SHINE (2004), Simple As That (1998) and escalation (1997) -- and our songs have been played on CBS, Cinemax, MTV, NBC, & PBS, as well as internationally online and on cable. We have been immensely humbled and honored to have performed at events that have raised tens of thousands of dollars for charities like The Somerville Coalition For The Homeless and The Home For Little Wanderers.

We also perform as a backing band and cover band. For over 20 years we goofed off with the amazing Don White, accompanied acclaimed songwriter Ellis Paul during his "Carnival Of Voices" tour and hosted many sold out 70s & 80s & One-Hit Wonders Tribute Nights at the Club Passim. We were the house band at the MITX Interactive Advertising Awards show for many years. Our cover song list runs from the 1950s through the 1990s and includes everything from Elvis and Sam Cooke to The Beatles and The Monkees to The Spinners and The Commodores to Bruce Springsteen and U2.

The highest compliment we've been paid throughout the years is: “You look like you’re having so much fun up there.” Truer words were never spoken. We hope to keep having fun playing our songs for a long time -- and we hope you come along for the ride with us.

Who Are The Loomers

Jon Svetkey

Jon has spent the past 20 years as a stay-at-home dad. But back in the 1990s, he headlined at dozens of folk clubs, colleges and coffeehouses throughout the Northeast and Midwest. Club Passim, The Bluebird Cafe, Eddie's Attic, Caffe Lena, Canal Street Tavern, Cafe Carpe, The Blue Moon   more»

Who Are The Loomers

Everett Pendleton

Everett is a musician's musician. Not only does he play guitar with great chops and exquisite taste, he is also one of the most amazing singers you'll ever hear. His distinct guitar playing and soaring harmonies are key elements in The Loomers' sound. Plus, he has a   more»

Who Are The Loomers

Jack Cavalier

From the moment Jack joined The Loomers in 1997 it was obvious he was the perfect guy for the job. He holds down the bottom with understated taste, wears cool shoes, and is the undisputed king of the elusive "George Harrison harmony. " On top of that, he's also   more»

Who Are The Loomers

Michael Cahill

Michael has been a student of all things percussive for over 30 years. Among his major influences are Buddy Rich, Max Roach, Frank Zappa and John Coltrane. He has received recognition in several regional drum contests, appeared in Modern Drummer and Drum! Magazine, and has studied at   more»

Who Are The Loomers

Tom Simons

Tom debuted with The Loomers in 1999 at the PARTNERS simons holiday party -- playing guitar and singing Slim Harpo's "Scratch My Back. " Although he continues to play regularly with the band, he has not been allowed to sing since. With the easy and enviable assignment to make   more»

Who Are The Loomers

Rob Laurens

An accomplished songwriter in his own right, Rob won the New Folk Award for Songwriting at both the Kerrville and Columbia River Folk Festivals, and returned to play the main stage at these and many other festivals. Rob has lived and traveled throughout the United States, learning folk music   more»

Who Are The Loomers

Heather Quay

Heather is an accomplished performer and singer/songwriter who has been on the stage for many years. As one half of the folk duo Quay & O’Conor, she performed at colleges and clubs, including Columbia University, CBGBs and Club Passim, and released an album of original music (now available digitally)!   more»

Who Are The Loomers

Jeff Isen

Jeff Isen is our newest member but what he lacks in band longevity he more than makes up for in sheer amount of instruments played. He's the ultimate swing man/secret weapon. Jeff plays mandolin, harmonica, percussion, guitar and -- wait for it -- trombone and sings harmony too!   more»