An energetic celebration of blues, funk, jazz and rock.

Combine musicians experienced in an eclectic mix of styles, with powerful blues and jazz singers, and you’ll have an unforgettable event.  Our concerts take the audience on a soulful journey of love, loss, struggle, and triumph.    

David Bennet - Guitar, Vocals
David has been studying and playing instruments for over forty years, playing guitar, bass and keyboards in local bands “Snow”, “Bodacious” and “Trans-Atlantic Railway” as well as backing up Turkey Buzzard (Rolling Stones produced), Trapeze (Glenn Hughes, bass player for Deep Purple), Flash, Wishbone Ash, John Hartford, The Godz, Muff Brothers, Rashaud, and Roland Kirk.  He taught guitar lessons at Drumville Guitarland, Fresch Music, Colonial Music (Mt. Vernon) and did guitar repairs and custom work at Campus Music Emporium with John Warden and Bill Foley (German Village Music).

Christopher Ciampa – Bass, Vocals
Chris plays bass, guitar, and keyboard, among many other instruments.  He obtained his BME from Otterbein College and has over 25 years of professional music experience Former leader of the "Downtown DFN" house band at  2Co's Cabaret, he now leads his own band the "Mad Funk 8".  He is a writer and arranger. 

Sam Ciampa – Vocals
Sam is a blues, gospel and R&B singer with over 20 years of performing experience in club, cabaret, and musical events.  Before coming to Columbus, she performed in various venues in the Pittsburgh area.   She was frequently heard performing at 2Co's Cabaret and is now also lead singer for the Mad Funk 8.

Eileen Howard –  Vocals
An award-winning actress and vocalist, Eileen has over 20 years of performing experience.  In addition to leading the All People Band, she has her own jazz group and sings with a number of big band and jazz groups in Central Ohio.  She has appeared at the Columbus and Newark Jazz Festivals, Goodale Sunday Jazz, and the Columbus, Upper Arlington and Westerville Arts Festivals, among many others.

The Governor  - Percussion
A graduate of CapitalUniversity in music education, Gregg taught in Columbus at CentralHigh School.  He has played with the late great Hank Marr, Bobby Floyd, Vince Andrews, Gene Walker, Geoff Tyus, and Jeanette Williams.   He led his own band called “The Governor” for over 12 years and spent five years playing in the show band and jazz trio on Carnival Cruise ships. Gregg has also developed band and percussion youth groups in the public schools and at the YWCA. 

Cherie Mannino –Vocals (not pictured)
Cherie is a transplant from New Orleans where she was a prominent jazz, funk and R&B vocalist, performing at jazz festivals and events throughout the area. Over twenty years her singing career in Los Angeles and New Orleans has put her on stage backing up Rosemary Clooney, Linda Ronstadt and Keely Smith. As a solo artist Cherie has won awards at numerous jazz competitions and has performed at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.  

Ed Moed – Keyboard
With roots in blues, jazz and world music, Ed has played in 25 states and in the Caribbean, including the Kennedy Center, Northwestern University, and OSU.  Jazz Festivals include Atlanta, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, St. Lucia, Litchfield, Hartford, and Annapolis, the Erie Blues Festival, and the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival.  He has played for many years with bands and artists like the Afro-Rican Ensemble,  Joe Diamond,  Don Hales, Gene Walker,  Charlie Cook, Eileen Howard, "The Governor" and "Just Jazz".  He has also worked extensively as a solo pianist and with his own combos.

Darchelle Williams – Vocals
R&B singer Darchelle Williams has been singing professionally for over 23 years.  She opened the show for The Real R & B Is Back concert and shared the stage with The Rude Boys, Silk, H-Town, Battlecatz and Men at Large. She also opened for The Soulful Jazz concert featuring Norman Brown, Marion Meadows, Jeff Lorber and the ledgendary R&B crooner Peabo Bryson. She has worked with many local artists such as Dean Francis, Teen Dream, Middle Child, Jeanette Williams, Bobby Floyd, Mary McClendon, Big Al , and many more.

Sue Wolfe – Vocals
Sue’s performances range from High School and College Choirs, to Sweet Adeline’s and church choirs.  She is a master of harmonization and anchors the vocals of the group.

IN MEMORY:

Joe Yancy – Bassist

Our friend and bassist, Joe passed away  March 18, 2010.  He learned bass from James Jamison, of Motown fame, and also studied with Tommy Thomas locally.   He played with the Four Tops and later with the Bandmasters who performed regularly at the Lemon Drop.  He has performed with Johnny Mark, Kim Tolliver, Gene Walker and Generations, and The International Hustlers, among many other bands and musicians.  He will be missed and remembered.

Thomas Cole –  Lead  and Backup Vocals, Conga