Bands I work with...
The Buckinghams
From Chicago's Holiday Ballroom to America's living room on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Buckinghams have stayed true to their Chicago roots over the years. Original founding members Carl Giammarese and Nick Fortuna continue to deliver a powerful replay of their hits & solid gold memories to the delight of audiences everywhere. When USA Records released "Kind of a Drag" in 1967 no one anticipated the demand as the single rocketed to #1 across the country, knocking the Monkees "I'm a Believer" off the top spot in the process. More hits followed, including "Don't You Care", "Susan", "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" and "Hey Baby". In 1967 Cash Box Magazine named them "The Most Promising Vocal Group in America," and they delivered. The band was inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame in 2009 and are still selling out venues across the country. For more info visit www.thebuckinghams.com
California Transit Authority
Based in Los Angeles and fueled by the creative passion of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer & original Chicago drummer/founding member Danny Seraphine (1967-1990), CTA has been referred to as "Chicago on steroids." Dedicated to meticulously bringing to life the early material of Chicago, CTA is made up of two Chicago Band alums- Danny Seraphine and singer/keyboardists/guitarist & 28 year Chicago Band veteran Bill Champlain (1981-2009). Together the two have assembled an assortment of acclaimed west coast touring and recording artists to round out the band, including guitarist Marc Bonilla (Keith Emerson Band), keyboardist Ed Roth (Annie Lenox, Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers), vocalist Tony Grant (film star/recording artist for Az Yet and Tyler Perry) among others. For more information visit dannyseraphine.com
Martha & the Vandellas
When looking for the perfect presentation of the Motown sound and style, few fit the bill as well as Martha Reeves & the Vandellas. Originally Marvin Gaye's backup singers, Martha & the Vandellas became stars in their own right back in 1963 with hits that included "Nowhere to Run", "Jimmy Mack", "Heatwave", and "Dancing in the Street". Over the years the band would be a consistent presence on the music charts, as well as on television and top venues across the US and abroad. Martha Reeves is the ultimate Motown diva with soul flowing from the tips of her toes to the last hair on her head. Reeves and her Vandellas were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, and they remain in high demand today, heating up clubs, casinos, concert stages, colleges, and music festivals across the globe. For info and tour schedule visit missmarthareeves.com
Soul Vaccination
Soul Vaccination is a high intensity, high energy, horn-driven, classic rock band that hails from the south side of Chicago. Soul Vaccination is comprised of three basic but very important ingredients. We find the best mix is to start with the professional vocal stylings of two powerhouse lead vocalists, add on a tight, experienced professional studio-quality rhythm section, then sprinkle in a five piece horn line comprised of some of the best and most respected players in the city. Our set lists are heavily rooted with classic tracks from bands like Tower of Power and Chicago, but we cover many other artists. For more info visit soulvac.com
The 8 Ball Saxophone Quartet
The 8 Ball Saxophone Quartet consists of four graduates of the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign. We first started performing together as a saxophone quartet nearly 20 years ago, and we are still going strong today. 8 Ball prides ourselves on our ability to adapt to any musical situation. Whether it's a gentle chorale by J.S. Bach, a Mozart string concerto, a swinging transcription of a big band chart by Duke Ellington or Count Baise, or a pop or rock selection by the Beatles, Billy Joel, or Chicago, 8 Ball can cover it all. For booking info or to read more about the 8 Ball Saxophone Quartet click on the link: 8ballsaxquartet.webs.com
The Tim Marin Orchestra
The Tim Marin Orchestra combines big time class with big band brass. Bassist and arranger Tim Marin established this ensemble with a goal in mind of making the classic American big band sound accessible and affordable for a variety of events and venues. With 6 horns and both male and female lead vocals, the arrangements are meticulously created to sound flush and full. The musicians comprising the band are professional, friendly, and fun, and are some of the best players that Chicago has to offer. This is the perfect group for corporate events, weddings, and private parties alike. For more information stop by ksa-music.com
The Names
The Names is a unique group- it is a band made up of touring members of other well known bands! Members of the Names have shared the stage & toured with some of the the brightest stars of the 60s and beyond, including the Buckinghams, Paul Revere & the Raiders, New Colony Six, Shadows of Knight, Herman's Hermits, Jay & the Americans, The Guess Who, Mark Lindsay, Gary Puckett, Gary Lewis & The Playboys, Martha & the Vandellas, The Kingsmen, The Shangrilas, Lou Christie, Danny & The Juniors, The Ides of March, Mitch Ryder, John Kay (Steppenwolf), Mary Wilson (Supremes), Gary Lewis, Bill Medley, Chuck Negron, The Drifters, The Crystals, The Turtles, The Association, Don McLean, Nicolette Larson, The Grassroots, & many more! For booking call (815) 955-1247 or visit gig salad.com
The Blooze Brothers Band
Those recidivist Blooze Brothers have been on the run from the cops for over 25 years now. Luckily, the Bloozemobile has been cornered by your local police and is escorted toward the stage. As the chase ends Jake and Elwood storm the stage. With the audience in hand, we go back to the music, fun and excitement of Joliet Jake and Elwood Blues — The Blues Brothers. This high-Âpowered, choreographed 11Â-piece show band covers music from the ‘40s to today: Motown, Soul, R & B, Classic Rock, Swing, and of course the music and crazy antics of the famous original Blues Brothers! I'm not the regular saxophonist for Jake & Elwood but when their usual guy can't make it I'm happy to answer the call. For info on the most requested tribute act in Chicagoland visit the boys online at www.bloozebrothers.com
The Paul Windsor Orchestra
For 20 years The Paul Windsor Orchestra has been the premier Chicago wedding band playing the ultimate dance music for weddings and special events around Chicago and the Midwest. The Paul Windsor Orchestra specializes in playing dance music for audiences of all ages. Yours will be the exciting event your guests will be talking about for years to come. When the regular saxophonist isn't available I'm happy to get to perform with this fine group of top-tier musicians. For more info visit http://paulwindsororchestra.weebly.com