First Class Rock Tributes
Artists: Check to post artist on Artist gallery page. (Uncheck if artist no longer appears in productions.)
Julie Miller (vocals) is a classically trained vocalist and a Graduate from the Chicago Academy for the Performing Arts. A diverse 25 year career, she’s appeared with Three Dog night, The Outlaws, Starship, Pat Travers, and Trent Carlini. Her vocals have the soulful edge and emotion of Ann Wilson. Julie’s studio recordings for local artists and producers in Chicago adds a whole new dimension to both classic and contemporary material.
Mitch Goldman (trumpet) plays Flugelhorn, guitar and adds vocals. He’s played, recorded or shared the stage with The Doobie Brothers, Rick Derringer, Terrell Stafford, Rufus Reid, Koko Taylor, Shun Kikuta (appears on Rising Shun), Kenny Rogers, The Temptations, The English Beat, TuTu and The Pirates and that’s only a few! He’s another SoundTracks regular.
Mike ‘Crash’ Willens (woodwinds) it would seem Mike can play anything and everything he tries. His preference tonight is the baritone sax, along with the unique sounding Electronic Wind Instrument. Also known as a EWI! His experience is vast and his purpose is to play from his soul which he accomplishes unwittingly. In the 70”s he toured the Midwest, and played in the house bands at Biddy Mulligans and Kingston Mines, backing up famous artists such as Bo Didley, Chubby Checker, and Eddie “The Chief” Clearwater. He’s recorded on critically acclaimed albums at Chess Records and played in a wide variety of professional jazz, rock and classical bands as well as Not For Profit, and almost every SoundTracks show.
Robb Calabro (tenor sax) is our newest member and comes to The Soul Commitments from the Not For Profit Band. Which allows him to fit in like a glove!
Ken Johnson (piano, organ) started piano lessons at age 4 and studied for 14 years. He formed his first band at 14 and the gigs have never stopped coming! He was “baptized” into the blues after seeing a BB King concert and has since performed with the McDonald’s All-Star jazz Ensemble, Koko Taylor and Bo Diddley. He’s played locally with 3rd Degree, Slackdaddies, Bill Uhler Band, Just Groove, Dennis Costis Band, John Juul and Friends, DJP, Vat of Chocolate and currently with Have A Cigar (a Pink Floyd Experience) and The Soul Commitments. Referred to as ‘The Deacon’, Ken plays Nord and Roland keyboards.
Rick Demski (lead vocals) plays Deco Cuff the oft times irritating lead vocalist in the film. He earned his nickname “The Blueeyed Soul Man” and has been singing and playing (he’s an accomplished bassist) in and around Chicago for nearly 4 decades. He’s also an integral part of SoundTracks Of A Generation singing and playing in The Woodstock Era, Summer of Love 1967 & The Joe Cocker/Aretha Franklin Tribute Show. He also performs with Tanqueray Mist, Lexi Zeppelin and Sonny & The Combovers. Rick’s passion is Rock and Blues and he would like to thank his wife and 2 adult children for putting up with all this rock n’ roll craziness!
Todd Lazar (Bass Guitar) No one lays down a groove or stays true to the pocket better than THIS guy. Whether it’s a thick funk, slammin’ rock n’ roll or an extemporaneous jazz piece Todd Lazar exemplifies the best of the best. Another guy whose stage presence is undeniable, it would come as no surprise that all of the members of STOAG say you just can’t take your eyes off him or keep from movin’ when he’s playing. The force along with Gary Donnelly behind 70’sFM Radio Rock, Todd is also the heart & soul of the rhythm section for The Soul Commitments. His amazing ability to stretch himself allows him to be a part of all of our shows!
When he was 10 yrs old he saw Stanley Clarke on TV and his love for the bass guitar has never waned. He went to the Chicago Musical College, a division of the Performing Arts school at Roosevelt University and completed his degree in Jazz Performance. While classically trained, his love of all genres allows him to tour all over the world with international artists like Gracie Curran and the High Falutin’ Band, Wild & Free Annika Chambers and Barcelona, Spain’s powerhouse guitarist Alex Zayas. Local artists include Buffalo Trout, Sticky Lupree, Tabasko Sound Kitchen and Darren Jay and the Delta Souls. Todd is an original member of the STOAG show 70’sFM RADIO ROCK and is thrilled to join The Soul Commitments & Van Morrison!
Dave Harris (drums) A lifetime of playing and teaching drums & percussion, Dave studied percussion at Southern Illinois and at the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri in Kansas City. His eclectic mix of genres allows him to perform with other STOAG shows ie, Joe Cocker/Aretha Franklin & The Woodstock Era. But that barely scratches the surface. Blues with The Nightcrawlers, Classic Rock with The Younger Bros. and Dr Bombay. His band Off The Wagon covers Texas Swing and Brazilian Jazz. Still, he finds the time to teach students of percussion and if anything, that is testament to his organizational skills! Honored to have Dave in The Soul Commitments/Van Morrison band!
A Bandleader in his own right, Chris has played professionally for over 20 years, With his first professional gig performing 6-7 shows a week in Tony & Tina’s Wedding as well as in episodes of the Jenny Jones Show. Armed with a music degree from Roosevelt University he toured and played with legends BB King, Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, Lonnie Brooks & Duke Robillard. In 2000 he was presented with the Albert King Music Award at the International Blues Festival in Memphis, Tn. When he’s not performing he teaches music at Columbia College in Chicago. STOAG is honored to have Chris join us.
Jay Martini (keys) studied jazz & composition at the U. Of Iowa School of Music. A former studio musician and a veteran of the Chicago classic rock club scene, he’s opened for Leon Russell with Big Witness, played the Taste of Chicago with the Inline 6 and now is the Music Director at SoundTracks Of A Generation for The Soul Commitments and Summer of Love 1967. Jay also teaches at The School Of Rock in Libertyville.
Call Doug at SoundTracks Now