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, Guitar Instructor, 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 Tuckey 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, Sound System and Co-Band Leader
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.  He is a writer and arranger, and the Leader of the “Downtown DFN” house band at 2Co’s Cabaret. 

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 has frequently been heard performing at 2Co's Cabaret.

 

Eileen Howard –  Vocals, Vocal Instructor, Band Leader and Program Leader

Eileen has over 15 years of experience in jazz, blues, pop, rock and classical music and as a vocal teacher.  She also has over 20 years of management, marketing and computer experience.   And actor and theater director and producer, she providesvocal instruction for the Open Mic program and leads the band and the Harmony on the Southside music program.  

The Governor (Gregg Peerson) - 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
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 played for many years with Afro-Rican Ensemble, Gene Walker, Bobby Vinton, and the Glen Miller Band.

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

 

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