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Michael Walters - Bandleader, Keyboards, Arranger

A gifted arranger and bandleader, you can hear Mike’s jazz trio regularly at jazz clubs around town including every Thursday at “Tuscany in Wheeling.” A perpetual student, Mike has studied trumpet with James Stamp, classical piano with Goldie Golub, and jazz piano with Larry Novack and Alan Swain. He loves playing intimate gatherings as well as musical extravaganzas and has performed with Ella Fitzgerald, The Pointer Sister, James Darin, Mitzi Gaynor, Steve Lawrence and Edie Gorme.

Sam Savage - Vocalist

Growing up in Georgia, Sam began singing in the church choir at age three, was discovered in high school, and rose to national prominence singing gospel music. Through the 70’s and 80’s, Sam was a favorite in the finest clubs in Miami Beach, Las Vegas, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Club owner and TV star Marla Gibbs, impressed by his stage presence and stellar vocals nicknamed him, “Mr. Entertainment.” Sam has played to crowds in Jamaica, Virgin Islands, Philippines, Thailand and Japan. He is the premier veteran emcee of all VVW Chicago Bands entertainers.

Marlette Harrison - Vocalist

Marlette is a member of the exclusive group of singers who have performed on “Late Night with David Letterman.” A graduate of Evanston High School and Southern Illinois University, this passionate gospel performer has brought crowds to their feet at talent showcases across the Midwest. National producers even recruited Marlette to sing for Steve Harvey and “Showtime at the Apollo.”

Mike Grady - Guitar

Michael is an incomparable musical talent who has played for many great performers such as: The Staple Singers, The Drifters, and the Original Soul Stirrers. Michael Grady’s indispensable talent has allowed him to tour many venues around the world Europe, Japan, and Africa. He’s also a Hall of Fame Inductee.

Tony Grady - Bass

Tony is a remarkable musical talent having played for many great performers such as: The Staple Singers, Otis Clay, Koko Taylor and recently for the incomparable Mavis Staples. Tony Grady’s indispensable talents have allowed him to tour many venues around the world and throughout the continental United States. Tony has also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Brett Murphey - Trumpet

By surrounding himself with the greats, Brett has emerged from his Midwestern Iowa roots as one of the premier brass performers in the business. Just to drop a few names, Brett has recorded, toured and/or performed with Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand, The Bee Gees, Tony Bennett, Burt Bacharach, Henry Mancini, and Lena Horne. Brett was schooled in jazz, made his mark on Broadway, and studied with Gilbert Johnson for 5 years under renowned principal trumpeter in the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Eugene Ormandy.

Jason Goldsmith - Sax

Since the age of 15, Jason performed professionally playing piano, bass, mandolin and banjo. But it was the saxophone that stole his heart, which led him to his degree in Saxophone performance at the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater. He has played with such legends as Ernie Watts, Brad Lehli, Rick Margitza, Bob Mintzer, James Moody, Dave Pietro, the Temptations, and the Dorsey Brother’s Orchestra. He relishes playing with jazz groups and festival bands including the Booze Brothers and Cold Sweat & the Brew City Horns.

Mike Franceschi - Trombone

Born and raised in Milwaukee, Mike Franceschi began playing the trombone at the age of 10. Since graduating with a music degree from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, Mike has performed with many notable artists such as Bobby Shew, Kurt Elling, Melvin Rhyne, Milt Hinton, Ann Hampton Callaway, Rich Matteson, Brian Lynch, Barry Harris, Roy Hargrove, Jerry Gonzalez and The Spinners. Comfortable in musical settings from Jazz, Salsa, and Top 40 to Chamber and Classical, Mike can be heard on recordings with Paul Cebar, Salsa Progresiva, Kalidad, and The Mr. Lucky Swing Syndicate, as well as numerous commercials produced in the Milwaukee area. In awe after attending concerts by Maynard Ferguson, Count Basie and Buddy Rich, Mike began digging into the recordings of Al Gray, J.J. Johnson, Carl Fontana, Curtis Fuller, Bill Watrous and Kai Winding. Continued inspiration is found in the playing of Jim Pugh, Conrad Herwig, Bill Reichenbach, Dave Steinmeyer and Andy Martin. In his third year with the All Star SUPERband, Mike also performs with the groups LaChazz, Dynasty, Big Swing Face, Mr.Lucky Swing Syndicate, The Wisconsin Jazz Orchestra, and a classical brass quartet.

Leon Joyce - Drums

Leon Joyce Jr., a native of Meriden, Connecticut, received his musical training through private instruction under John Oblon and Jimmy Rozelle. While still in high school he toured Connecticut and Massachusetts with the Greater Hartford Community College Theater Group, performing The Broadway musical “Hair”. Although Leon’s musical career began in high school, it really was shaped and nurtured when he joined the Marina Corps in 1976. In the years that followed, he served as a field band musician in Marine – Parris Island, SC – Okinawa, Japan – El Toro, CS and Albany, GA. He graduated from the Intermediate Course at the Armed Forces School of Music in 1987. Gunnery Sergeant Joyce reported to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band as Percussion Section Leader in April, 1990. He was promoted to his present rank in August, 1990. In August 1991, he was appointed to the position of Drum Major, Leon retired from the Marine Corps in June of 1997 from Marina Corp Logistic Base Albany, GA.