It all started in 1977, in Cleveland, Ohio, with Mary Martin and the Ninth Street Tuna Band. Many late night hangs at Captain Frank’s Restaurant on East Ninth Street gave them the “Ninth”.  The Tuna, well, that simply came from cans of cat food. The out-of-round name seemed well-suited to the sound of the music.

Back then the city scene really wasn’t much of a home for the blues and jazz blend that characterized the music. But, slowly, the band found its way.  While building a fine following in Cleveland, the Tuna Band gradually made its presence known through out the region, at colleges, club dates and as opening acts.

In 1983 Mary and the Band released their first LP simply titled “Mary Martin and The Tuna Band,” recorded in Cleveland.  Joining the band on the record were some very special Cleveland artists including Glenn Schwartz, Mr. Stress, and The Numbers Band Horn Section.  The LP won high praise from Billboard Magazine and was chosen to chart.