Oakland, CA
About
Simonoto is an Oakland multi-instrumentalist and producer whose bag is deep Dilla groove, mathy syncopation, classic funk and punk. He plays guitar, bass, keys, and drums, and sings somewhere between Chet Baker, James Brown, and Donny Hathaway. One player on every instrument in the studio, full band live.
Touring guitarist for Snap Judgment's "Spooked," guitarist on Ewik_42's debut album, three years under Joe Bagale (Otis McDonald) at Hyde Street Studios, and Jazzschool faculty at the California Jazz Conservatory. His EP Skullybones, written, performed, and produced alone at Studio S, arrived May 12, 2026.
Fact Sheet
Artist
Simonoto
Real Name
Simon Keyser Petty
Location
Oakland, CA
Genre
Funk / Soul / Hip-Hop / Electronic
Instruments
Guitar, Bass, Keys, Drums, Vocals
Current Release
Skullybones EP (May 12, 2026, self-released)
Credits
Snap Judgment's "Spooked" (touring guitarist) · Ewik_42 debut album · Joe Bagale (Otis McDonald), Hyde Street Studios
Faculty
Jazzschool, California Jazz Conservatory: funk ensembles
Live
Solo to full big band · Celestial Hotties (bandleader) · sets 45 min to 4 hours
Rooms
Bottom of the Hill · Boom Boom Room · Starline Social Club (house band) · Verdi Club · Anime Expo LA
"Skullybones is not the beginning. It's the first time I'm letting people hear where I've already been."