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Born in Anchorage, Alaska, Jétte Markstrom started getting into music around age 9. Growing up in Chehalis, she started teaching herself guitar after getting one as a gift from a "hippie cousin". In high school, Jette was overheard singing by a fellow classmate who encouraged her to join choir. Too shy to join, she started playing drums in a band, eventually making her singing debut a few years later at an Evergreen State College benefit. Jette made her way up to Seattle, singing piano bar, and doing some studio work for a local artist. After taking part in a Christian ministry music program in Florida, she returned to Seattle to join an '80's “hair band”. Jétte hosted karaoke through most of the '90's, and even had the honor of singing the National Anthem at some Northwest sporting events. In 2000 she became a member of The Encounters, now Magazine. To answer the most frequently asked of questions, "yes, that is indeed her real hair". |
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Seattle native Ricardo Valenzuela has been making music since getting his first guitar at the age of 4. After learning some basics from his father, he started lessons at age 9 and studied with various local instructors including the gifted Northwest favorite, Michael Powers. Adding the drums and trombone while still in grade school, Ricardo has been a fixture on the Northwest music scene for over 25 years, entertaining audiences throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Hawaii, Canada, and the Virgin Islands. Along with being a veteran of the Top-40 and casino circuit, Ricardo has performed and recorded with several local singer/songwriters, and shared the bill with artists such as The Guess Who, Christopher Cross, Crosby Stills & Nash, and Huey Lewis. With his strong voice and versatile playing style, Ricardo has been a member of area bands such as Athenz, 22/20, Chain Reaction, AquaVinyl, The Encounters, and now Magazine. When not playing with Magazine, Ricardo does his own solo act throughout the area. |
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Paul King comes from a very musical family. Born in Pennsylvania, he grew up in Louisville, Kentucky where his Dad played clarinet and harmonica, and Mom and Sis played piano. He got his first guitar when he was 9, but quit to focus on his love of baseball and football. At 18, Paul got back into playing guitar and has never looked back. Going to college in Idaho, he played in several different bands and eventually ended up in Seattle working for Boeing. Paul has also done some studio work, providing the guitar on a CD by local female Christian artist Maureen Still, as well as playing in her band. A founding member of the Encounters, Paul has been with the band for many years. When not playing with Magazine, you can find Paul pursuing his other passion, golf. |
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The only other Seattle native in the band, Keith Lyons drove his parents crazy early on, banging on anything that would make a sound whenever he heard music. His parents even had him perform at dinner parties, hoping that putting him on the spot would cure him. Ha! Not a chance. Not long after getting his first snare drum in 4th grade, Keith got his first drum kit and was playing in a band while still in elementary school, continuing on in concert band, stage band, and marching band at Ballard High. In the 80's, he was in an original band with Seattle street performer Robyrt DeLong, doing several recordings featuring performances from several top Seattle bands at the time. Keith had his own sound and light production company, running shows at several prominent clubs in Seattle, and has been a fill-in drummer for Duffy Bishop, Lips (with Meredith Brooks), Revolver, Colorblind, The Doily Brothers, Baby Knockers, and more. When he travels, Keith always seems find his way up on stage with other bands, and can say that he's performed around the world in places such as Hawaii, California, Arizona, Kentucky, Illinois, New York, Virginia, Florida, Canada, and England.
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Born in Chicago, raised in Davenport, Iowa, Jeff Gish has been playing bass guitar for over 25 years. Affectionately known as "Gish", "Gishy", or "Gish-Man" by the band, Jeff began his musical journey with the viola, trombone, and trumpet before settling in on the bass in college. An engineering job brought him to Washington in 1986, and appreciating the diversity of musical styles, Gish hooked up with a Bluegrass band called the Duwamish Mountain Boys that he plays with to this day. Jeff is an electronics whiz and likes to brag about his "lab" at home, where he repairs and restores most anything he gets his hands on, especially vintage stereo equipment. He's really the backbone of the group with his "big bottom". Lots of "low end" for such a small guy. The band thinks he's Gish-a-licious! |
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