Steve Mehta – Lead Vocals & Bass Guitar
Steve’s musical career began when he was as a child, playing trombone, piano and guitar, and he eventually landed on bass guitar as his target for musical excellence.
Originally from Ohio, he moved to Arizona during his final year of education and has since played with many bands including Common Ground, Full Arrest, and Sylence.
Although playing the bass and singing in these primarily classic rock bands, he has always had a hunger and vision of telling a musical story and creating an even broader experience to the audience. Thus, in 2020 he founded Fooji Magoo with the concept of strategically connecting seemingly eclectic genres and eras of music to create a unique anthology of music from the 50s through today to give the audience an entertainment experience that will make them sing, dance and reminisce.
He has been fortunate to align himself with a versatile group of professional musicians that share his passion for excellence, and are able to legitimately deliver a variety of music that you will rarely hear performed by one band. The formula has worked well and Fooji Magoo consistently receives rave reviews from their audiences.
Jim Bader – Lead Guitar & Vocals
Jim picked up his first guitar, a well-worn Yamaha acoustic, at the age of eight and never looked back. During the 1970s he fell in love with rock music, drawn to bands like Led Zeppelin, Boston, ELO, Kansas, and many more. By fifteen he was forming bands with neighborhood friends, and by the late ’80s he was gigging regularly across the Phoenix area.
His early influences included the flash and fire of Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen, and Randy Rhoads. Over time, his style was further shaped by the brilliance of players such as Steve Morse, Paul Gilbert, Joe Bonamassa, and Eric Johnson - musicians whose technical mastery continues to expand his own playing. Jim also has a deep love for three-part harmonies and a knack for finding the “missing vocal line” that makes any arrangement sound complete.
A veteran of the Phoenix music scene since the 1980s, Jim has performed with bands including Vintage, Living the Dream, and most recently Taking Liberty. What makes him a great fit for Fooji is his relentless drive to keep improving and his ability to embrace the challenge of excelling across a wide variety of musical styles.
JimmyJamz Fernandez – Drums & Vocals
Jimmy knew at just five years old that he wanted to play drums. Inspired by a neighbor who played in a band and immersed in his parents’ extensive R&B, Funk, and Motown record collection, he developed an early passion for rhythm and groove that would shape his lifelong musicianship.
Through high school, Jimmy’s love of drumming became inseparable from his daily life. He played in the school band all four years, making music as essential as any academic subject and an integral part of who he is.
In 1980, Jimmy co-founded Hatrik, the first of many Chicago-area bands he would perform with over the decades. His playing style is best described as eclectic and versatile, drawing on metal, rock, blues, and southern rock. Influenced by legendary drummers such as John Bonham, Cozy Powell, Steve Jordan, Tony Thompson, and Abe Laboriel Jr., Jimmy is known as a hard-hitting, heavy-groove, deep-pocket drummer. For him, it’s always about the feel - dynamics and meter -while never losing sight of where “the one” is.
Over the years, Jimmy has opened for national acts including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Sammy Hagar, Blue Öyster Cult, Great White, Warrant, Ace Frehley, Firehouse, Enuff Z’ Nuff, and many others. His Chicago résumé includes stints with 2 Stone City (featuring Ministry/M.O.D./Mindfunk guitarist Louis Svitek), House of Holland (featuring Holland, Bzzz, and Steppenwolf vocalist Tommy Holland), and most recently Mr. Capone’s Bootlegger Band (featuring Chicago radio personalities Patrick Capone of 97.9 The Loop and 103.9 The Fox).
After a 31-year career with the U.S. Post Office, Jimmy relocated to Arizona in February 2019 for a fresh start and quickly became a fixture in the Valley music scene. He has performed with Sal & The Strayhounds, Poppy & The Usual Suspects, Sylence, Jaded Jukebox, and Bad June.
Jimmy appreciates the camaraderie and genuine chemistry of Arizona’s music community, finding it a welcome contrast to the more competitive Chicago vibe. He proudly calls Arizona his “forever music home,” where his passion for drumming and collaboration continues to thrive.