Click on a Musician's Link to View Video Steve Hawk - Drums The heartbeat of the band is the drummer and, for the past 14 years, Steve Hawk has consistently proven that he is one of the best in town. His outstanding ability to perform all musical styles with authenticity and drive the band rhythmically, has created the most "cooking" rhythm section in town, with Steve in the driver's seat. Steve, also a music educator, has performed with many well-known entertainers, as well as with the Chicago Symphony! A great band must have a great drummer for proper tempos, intensity and vitality - and with Steve, we have the best! Phil Brink - Trombone Phil Brink, trombonist, has lived and performed in Canada, Alaska, Chile, and Hong Kong, where he was a member of the Hong Kong Philharmonic for twelve years. He is also a composer, arranger, and presently teaches music at Northeastern University. Phil's friendship with Ralph stems from their days as classmates at Northwestern University. Wayne Wisniewski - Trumpet Wayne Wisniewski, our incredible trumpet player, is, without question, one of the most exciting brass players in town. With his unbelievable high range, Wayne electrifies the total sound of the band with the sparkle and intensity that only a great trumpet player can achieve. Besides his wonderful playing, Wayne has also been the band's principal arranger for years. Most of our wonderful arrangements - swing, rock, funk and more - have come from Wayne's marvelously inventive musical mind and we are lucky that he has been both trumpet player and arranger with our band for over 17 years. Ralph Wilder - Winds Ralph Wilder, leader of the orchestra that bears his name, is committed to making your party fun, memorable, and basically a "blast"! As a well-known and highly respected clarinetist, saxophonist, and flutist, this graduate of Northwestern's school of music performs music ranging from classical flute at a wedding ceremony, soaring ethnic clarinet, to "roaring" rock-and-roll saxophone - all with ease, professionalism, and quality. His clarinet playing, in particular, is well-known in town for the many styles in which he excels - jazz, swing, classical, klezmer, and much more. Steve Wolf - Guitar When a band has a "screaming" guitar player it is very lucky and with Steve Wolf, our wonderful guitarist for the past fourteen years, another level is reached because of his ability to sing vintage Rock & Roll - from the Beatles to Chuck Berry - with incredible authenticity. Steve, who uses a wireless transmitter on his guitar, is often on the dance floor with the three vocalists, creating unbelievable intensity and excitement with his soaring solos. From tasty jazz, blues, swing, rock, pop, classical and more - Steve Wolf is among the finest in Chicago. Ken Paoli - Keyboards Ken Paoli, keyboardist and arranger, is an incredibly multi-faceted musician - confidently performing classical, jazz, rock and more. His utterly amazing ability as a jazz improviser creates a marvelous musical electricity and intensity. Ken, whose immense experience allows him to utilize the many contemporary keyboard sounds needed for today's music, plus being a member of our outstanding rhythm section that accompanies the band and our three vocalists. This marvelous musician, a professor of music at the College of DuPage adds incredible style and musicianship to the band. Rich Conigan - Vocals Rich Conigan is, simply stated, the best male vocalist in town! For energy, vitality, interaction with guests, ability to create the desire to dance, Rich is the best! For brilliantly putting over a song, for amazing your guests, for electrifying the crowd, Rich is the best! For sounding like Sinatra, Bennet, Elvis, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Ricky Martin, and more - Rich is, simply, the best! The band is tremendously fortunate to have this remarkably talented young man as our lead male vocalist. Rich has said that he truly feels that the Lord put him here to sing - and your guests will wholeheartedly agree! Angie Wendt - Vocals Angie Wendt is an incredibly talented young vocalist who simply makes a party happen! Her ability to "move" an audience with her enormous musical range is amazing. A Chicago-area native, Angie has been singing on stage for as long as she can remember. A dance and theater graduate of Rockford College, she was the 1997 recipient of the Leonard Bernstein Award for excellence in Music, Dance and Theater. We are fortunate to be able to bring Angie's talent, charm and experience to our parties. Along with Rich and Becca, Angie helps to create the most exciting and musically powerful vocal trio in town.