
1982, In the southland of Chicago, a
dream was realized when a band of high school students were able to
play through horn-driven songs they had listened to since they could
remember. "We knew we wanted that fat horn section sound". says
bandleader, founder, and lead vocalist Bob Baader. "The world had
finally finished its disco phase and had moved on to synthesizer
sounds, but we held our ground". Bands with horn sections had been
dying out in favor of drum machines and synths. This band never went
that direction. They have remained constant and for that, they are
proud. "In a time where glorified karaoke singers clutter the dial,
musicianship is alive and well."
We started out with a lineup that had
the typical rhythm section (guitar, bass, keys, drums) and 4 horns (2
trumpets, a sax, and a bone). We existed pretty well doing current
songs and adding horns where we could or even doing a Blues Brothers
tribute from time to time. "I'd have to say, I didn't own very many
records without horn sections pumping some air" recalls Bob. "As our
skills got better, our repetoire became more sophisticated to include
songs by Tower Of Power and Earth Wind and Fire while keeping songs by
the legendary band Chicago as a focal point in our set."
Now venerable veterans of live shows,
this wall of sound is ready to seriously take on the global music
scene. "When the World Trade Center came down on my birthday, so did my
day job. I decided to concentrate on the music that had been with
me my whole life. I was in premed for a year, got injured trying to be
a ballplayer, so I decided to get my degree in music. It was probably
the best decision I ever made. I learned the ins and outs of scoring
music and I decided to really focus on it."
I'm surrounded now with musicians who
are fantastic players as well as fantastic people. Everyone does their
thing, but they also listen. That is SO rare and I am truly grateful.
"With the current lineup:
Bob
Baader ... Vocals, Keys, Guitar,
scoring
Bill Beck ... Guitar
Tim Marin --- Bass,
Vocals
Hiroshi Yasuda...Trumpet
Dave Jelinek ...
Trumpet
Blake Johnson ...Saxes
Peter Soukup...
Trombone
Brent Shumard...Alto/Bari Saxes, Flute
Nick Moore... Drums,
percussion
We would love to play for you. Turn
your ears this way."
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