For many years, the band The Price Of Dope enjoyed a great deal of success in San Diego. Aside from sharing the stage with such acts as Prince, The Brand New Heavies, The Roots, and many others, songs from the band¹s debut CD were used for Rob Machados (MTV) surf videos and frequently featured on local TV and radio (Blue Torch, KUSI, KSDSS). In 1999, The Price Of Dope dissolved when Cheme Gastelum and Dave Carano joined Robert Walters 20th congress. Soon after, drummer Jeff Kelley, guitarist Andy Holmes, bassist Christian Schinelli, and organist/pianist Ben Moore came together to form Pocket.

The band had already performed on the same bill as Medeski Martin and Wood and The John Scofield band when their Debut EP The Tone Conservancy was released. Consisting of fiery grooves inspired by a blend of soul jazz rhythms and contemporary harmonies, the album received critical acclaim and helped put Pocket on the map. Right now, Pocket is back in the studio turning out a full length album to be released this spring and laying their special brand of soul jazz music on the west coast. Pocket has been nominated for best jazz band at the San Diego Music Awards for both 2005 and 2006.

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