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I was brought up in a home with Francis Bacon Baby Grand. My mom was a Vaudeville performer with her dad. She sang and tap danced. She was given the piano as a First Communion gift from her dad. She took lessons, and became a classical pianist and played until family life took over. This is where I got the gene.

She would play, as did my older brother and sister, and I would hide under the piano and listen, when they left, I would climb up and try to figure out what they were doing. I was exposed to a very diverse range of music, from Eddie Cantor, to Jimi Hendrix, and EVERYTHING in between. I did not get the serious bug until Gimme Some L:ovin’, Hush, and Santana hit my ears. Steve Winwood, Jon Lord, and Greg Rolle are my primary influences. From then on, it was the Hammond. I would hit the music store, sneak onto the elevator, and raid the organ room until I was discovered, and asked to leave. I think they just let me have some time because they knew I could not afford one. A friend of mine

had an M-3 with a Leslie, they could not afford a B at the time, but he told me the secret about the A, being the same as a B, just a different case and on-board amps. I got into my first band in ’71, learning the tunes, and then teaching the keyboardist. I was doing sound as I had a working knowledge of P.A’s and equipment. In ’72 we went on the road and after 8 months, the band split, so I picked up the bass. We came back to Ct. to regroup, then our bass player came back, so I moved to piano. I was showing our keyboardist a riff in a tune he was having trouble with, he got pissed and walked out, so I

took over the keys after our guy quit. I played keys until about ’76, then moved to the bass with a solid group of guys for the next 16 years. On and off with different configurations of the

same guys. We did studio work as well as living off the band for a long time. We played for thousands, and for dozens. Been in bands from a power trio, to an 8 piece. In ’95 I built my first band my way. Having always been in totally democratic bands, I decided to do it a little differently, and ultimately, up until now, that was the best band any of the members had been in. I disbanded that band in ’99 to take care of personal, and family

affairs, and the time just slipped by. I did spot, and fill in work just to keep the rust off. This brings me to the present. This band, The Jam Factory, is by far, head and shoulders above any other I have been in. I will surely ride off into the sunset with this one, and I couldn’t ask for a better group of folks to do it with.

Always had a passion for singing but never liked performing in front of people. Attended Wolcott public schools up until high school Graduated St. Paul Catholic High School.  While attending, met Alexander Whitney at age 15, freshmen year. Alex, with his passion for guitar and music, especially for classic rock, encouraged me to start playing guitar and singing. Up until then, singing and playing, and writing songs had been something I mostly kept to myself. The only exposure I had at that point was a musical and a chorus solo I had done during my brief stint in prep school before St. Paul Catholic High. At the end of high school, Alex and I performed a song in front of our senior class.

After high school, there was the occasional open mic and recording sessions where I tried to capture all of my original tunes. At 25 years old, I found out about a karaoke contest at the Wolcott Country Fair and figured I would try out. After making it to the second round, I was disqualified for forgetting lyrics. The next year, I tried again and won the contest. It was a small victory, getting up on stage and singing in front of so many strangers. That Fall, of 2016, I connected with Mike Kerish who, through my brother, had learned that I was a singer. Mike was looking for personnel to fill positions in a band he was forming. He called me, and after a brief chat, asked me come try out. I went down to his rehearsal studio, and he had me sing some select vocals to backing tracks. He then asked me back for a run thru with live musicians, which I did. A few days later, he called me to come back in. It was at this meeting that he  old me it was down to myself and two others, both with formal training and experience. He asked me what I really wanted to do musically, what was I looking for, what did I expect, etc…. After our conversation, he told me that he was comfortable with me, and his gut feel was to go with me. The rest is history. Putting myself out there even though my stage fright was borderline debilitating, absolutely paid off. Now, I am surrounded by the most talented group of musicians I could hope for and doing what I was meant to do. Rockin’ out!

I started singing when I could talk. I have no formal training, but I was heavily influenced byCeline Dion, Whitney Houston, Gwen Stefanie, Fiona Apple, Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera and the two Justins to name a few, but most of all my family. My mom and dad sang together as teens, my dad was a drummer his entire life and is currently still playing in his ripe age. My brother is a drummer playing since he was 5 years old in two really great bands. I was always singing in my bedroom at the top of my lungs while my two older brothers banged on the door for me to quiet down. That’s didn’t stop me. My father used to quiz me on classic rock music on the radio in the car on the way to Dairy Queen after gymnastics. I’ll always remember that and my mom singing the wrong lyrics in the car. In grammar school I was in the play Annie and in high school I was Bloody Mary in the play South Pacific, I’ve also had a role in The Wizard of Oz. I was a part of a selective group called Studio Voices in high school as well and of course always a part of the school choir. I’ve tried out for American Idol and The Voice. In my twenties, I was the front woman of a classic rock band with my father as the drummer. I joined another band that did 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s. Both bands played the club scene. I’ve also performed at the boardwalk in West Haven for a WPLR radio event and the Terryville Fair.I took a hiatus to get married and have a baby, but that baby is not a baby anymore and it’s time to get back to my passion: SINGING! Mike contacted me and I ignored him for a bit because I was trying to start a project with some other musicians that didn’t pan out. I decided to give him a call. He informed me that the rehearsal space was an hour away from me. I waited a while before I called Mike back for an audition, the distance making me contemplate. But, I met with Mike and then again with the rest of the band and knew right away that this was where I was supposed to be and I was happy I gave it a chance despite the drive. In my younger years, I suffered from major stage fright which I have overcome now that I am “wise”. I am so excited to be a part of this project with extremely talented and experienced musicians. I feel that I fit right in, being the last to join, as everyone accepted me with open arms and is so supportive. This is my band family now!

I started playing drums at the tender young age of seven. I practiced, and practiced, and practiced some more. By the time I hit ten, I was playing in my uncle’s band on the weekends, and then started working with other bands in the area. The 70’s hit and I was gigging with several bands in the area and doing the

ski resort circuit. Cozy Powell, John Bonham, and Ginger Baker are my primary influences. Next was a USO tour for three years with a show band. Needless to say, I have extensive experience, up and down the East Coast, casinos, resorts, clubs. South Fl. To NYC, Greenwich Village, and the like. In ’14 I settled in Ct., and again found myself looking for something substantial to get involved with. I became involved with a few different

projects, playing the City and casinos, while still searching for the right fit. Mike Kerish had contacted me during this time, but I was giving a particular band a solid go at the time and politely declined his offer to join what he described as a “ powerful, dynamic” cover band. Some time had passed, and while my wife was picking up something for me at a music store, a poster caught her eye, and she grabbed the number from it. I called him and he sent me some material to work on, and brought me in for a try. My first impression was a good one. He was playing a real Hammond, had an excellent sax man, and a female singer. After just three sessions, I decided to drop my other band and fully commit to the Jam Factory. This brings us to now, the band feels right, the people feel right, I feel right at home.

I started by taking guitar and piano lessons early on. I then switched to the bass. I thought I could find a band in need of a bass player, and get in. The back story being it would be a good way to meet girls, fame and fortune would surely follow. We ALL know how that works. I played my first gig at age 14, and that lit my fuse. Since that first gig, like almost all musicians, I would play whenever and wherever I could. I have played with countless musicians, of all styles, and varieties of music. My music scene ranged from jaz, to glitter rock, blues, and even toured with a

disco band. My primary influences are James Jamerson, and Rocco Prestia, The others are too numerous to count. My passion for music is revealed through my bass, and still motivates me to this day. I have been blessed to play with some of the finest musicians in the area, both in the studio, and on stage. For this, I am thankful. Most recently, a few months ago, my good friend, and drummer, Tony called me. He was in a rehearsal session with some folks he had recently hooked up with. He told me that they had been trying out bassists, and just had not found the fit they were looking for. He gave me Mike’s number and I called him the next day. He sent me some material to work on and scheduled a session. When I walked into the room, I did not expect to see what I saw. A full sized Hammond with a Leslie, a seasoned sax man, a guitar player that understood the meaning of the rhythm pocket, pro audio equipment with engineer, and the coolest chick on the planet layin’ down the vocals. Tony said this was a “fabulous” gig, I must agree, and this, is where my heart is.

I have always been a part of music, my mother was the church organist, so before 11/30/58, I guess I was a captive audience.

When I was five, Santa gave me a ukulele. Over the years all the strings went missing and the instrument was set aside, until I heard "Smoke on the water," I strung up that uke with some fish line just enough to be in tune and played those four notes. My brother. Chris bought me a guitar for 50 cents, the action was terrible. I practiced chords. Traded my drum set for a better guitar. Ry Cooder was on Don Kirshners rock concert so I started finger picking, took some classical lessons. Ma bought me an electric guitar. Brother Tim gave me the complete Beatles song book. I started picking out leads to the Allman Bros, Eric Clapton, CSNY Joined a few bands, jam sessions, duos. I played till my fingers bled, always trying to not play the same riffs

I started playing the sax in the fifth grade. I took to music very quickly enjoyed playing. I continued to study music formally all through school, and played in the school band. I then went to Berkley School of Music in Boston and got my degree in Music Composition. I studied with saxophone greats John LaPorta, and Andy McGee. I have been gigging, and playing in bands, and groups since my very early days as a youngster. I’ve played in three piece jaz groups to full sized big bands, and everything, and anything in between. I have toured New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and the Western

U.S., and the hundreds of clubs, parties, weddings, etc…, you name, I’ve played it! I have done leading musical roles in various musical productions, and have extensive stage experience.

I am now part of a powerful seven piece, and am the only horn. As such, I use them all, Bari to Soprano. Our play list is very diverse, so I am called upon to run harmonies with the guitar, cover harp lines, play percussion, and do vocals. I am surrounded by a great group of musicians, fronted by a rock solid vocalist, Jen Wood and Jen Mickey, aka “ Mickey”.