|
Soul Injection Members
Bob Crossway (founder/bass/keys/trombone/band coordinator/sound tech.): Bob brings to Soul Injection over 35 years of performing both regionally and nationally. First touring with the “Dick Clark Caravan Stars” in 1965, Bob has gone on to perform with such great groups as “The Shadows of Night”, “The Manhattans”, “The Mersey Side 5”, and several other regional and national acts, performing as bassist, keyboardist, or trombonist. Bob’s most recent national tour ended in 1999 where he played bass with the world renowned rock group “Kansas”. Unfortunately, due to medical reasons, Bob can no longer perform with the group. As a friend and mentor, his experience and presence is felt at every show.
Fred Piperata (co-founder/vocal director/frontman/ lead vocals): Fred has been a frontman and lead vocalist since 1967. He has traveled and toured from Canada to Key West, and from Boston to Cleveland, OH. Fred has been the lead vocalist for such groups as “August”, “Punch”, “Flame”, and most recently “Direct Hit”. Fred brings to Soul Injection a high level of showmanship and stage presence, as well as vocal leadership. Fred also plays congas with the band, and is an accomplished guitarist and keyboardist.
Gene Voce (drums): Geno has been playing and recording professionally for more than twenty years. He has spent his musical career with a variety of bands including "The Justice McBride Band" and most recently "Les Brers". He has recorded numerous radio and television jingles, as well as drumming on many recording sessions for various local and regional artists. Gene's early influences include Buddy Rich, Danny Seraphine, Bill Bruford and Peter Erskine
Vic Tocco (keyboards/vocals): Vic has been playing music in the Central New York area for twenty-two years. He has played in several successful bands before coming to Soul Injection, including “Crystal Ship”, “Amber”, “Excel”, and “Direct Hit”. Also a drummer, Vic finds his influences in the ‘80’s rockers Heep, Whitesnake, and Europe.
Frank DeRocco (guitar/vocals): Frank is a native of Utica and Upstate NY and has been a member of Soul Injection since March 2003. Originally a clarinetist, he began studying guitar with Carmen Caramanica in the late 60's. He has been in many local bands, including "Gross National Product","August","Chapter 3"."Excel",and "Direct Hit". Frank plays blues, rock, jazz, R & B, and country. His influences include Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, Santana, Eric Clapton, and Jimi Hendrix, as well as many other well-known guitarists.
Joe Bar (bassist/vocals.): Joe comes to Soul Injection after a long and successful career of performing both locally and regionally for many years with such great groups as Prism, Sunshine, Crystal Vision and most recently Chill Factor. His main influences in music have been Grand Funk Railroad, Tower of Power, Spyro-Gyro, and Earth, Wind & Fire. Joe takes the art of playing bass to a level that very few musicians ever accomplish. His style excites the audience and is truly a pleasure to listen to. The one thing that most people in the Central New York area may not know is that Joe is also a very accomplished keyboardist and was the driving force on keys with the Jason Moore Revue. It is truly a pleasure to have Joe as a member of Soul Injection.
Travis “Chopper” Olivera (alto/tenor saxophones): Chopper began his Soul Injection career in January 2004, and has been playing the sax for about 15 years. He grew up in Waterville, where he was a very involved musician, playing the saxophone and singing in every possible ensemble. His musical influences range from Stan Getz and Paul Desmond to Radiohead, the Beatles, and the Beastie Boys. Aside from playing with Soul Injection, Chopper is a journalism student at Utica College and a librarian in Waterville. He currently resides in Clinton, where he spends his free time reading, writing, listening to records, and playing Tetris. Sorry ladies, this one’s taken.
Bob Cesari (saxophone): now resides close to where he was born, in Westmoreland, NY. After spending years away in San Francisco, Miami and Boston, he settled here to raise his sons. Currently a band teacher in the Utica City Schools, he likes to keep busy gardening and playing music. When not performing with Soul Injection, he can be heard with his Jazztet, The Sal Alberico Orchestra, Zoe Jazz Ensemble, The Salt City Jazz Collective or Jazzbone. He is currently collaborating with long time friend James A. Straney to record some of Straney's orhestral compositions.
Mike Perry (trumpet): a native from Guilderland, holds a B.S. in Music Education from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam and a M.S. in Music Education from the
College of
St. Rose. After graduation, Michael continued his education at
East
Texas
State
University in Commerce,
Texas as a graduate assistant. While in
Texas, he taught marching band for two years, as well as studying trumpet in the
Dallas area. After moving back to NY in 1986, he has played in various professional bands including The Revelairs (Polka), Into the Night (Top 40), Alex Torres y Su Orchestra (Salsa), and Out of the Blues (R&B), The New York Players, Figiel Brothers(Polka), The Temptations, The Tokens, Shangri-Las, Lou Christie, and several shows at Proctors in
Schenectady. He currently plays Lead Trumpet with the Joey Thomas Big Band. In addition, he also teaches privately and performs for wedding ceremonies and church functions in the tri-city area. Michael currently teaches at
Amsterdam
High School where he is the Symphonic Band Director and AHS Jazz Band Director. He currently resides in
Amsterdam.
Tony Brindisi ( Coordinator & General Manager ): Tony brings over 30 years of professional management skills in the music industry to the Soul Injection Family. Tony has been the key reason for the success of many regional and national acts going all the way back to the early 70s with such groups as August and later the group Heaven and ending most recently in the last few years with the group Showtime. Tony also acts as special consultant to his Son's band, Mike Brindisi & The New York Rock. When our founder and General Manager Bob Crossway made the decision, due to deteriorating health issues, that he needed to retire, his search to replace himself was made easy when he found out that Tony was available and interested. Bob has known Tony for many years and has total confidence in not only Tony's ability to handle the position and make the change a smooth transition, but also to take Soul Injection to even greater levels then have been accomplished in the past. Our co-founder and lead vocalist Fred Piperata has also known Tony for many years and refers to him as The Miracle Man because of his ability to make things happen when allof the odds seem to be stacked against him. The only thing left to be said is; Welcome Tony Brindisi to the Soul Injection Family.
Matthew Donaleski (Trombone): Matt grew up in Liverpool, NY and is currently the High school band director, jazz band director, k-12 department chair, and music theory teacher in Camden, NY. He holds bachelors and masters degrees from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Postdam where he was the principal trombone in the top wind ensemble and orchestra. He studied with Bill Harris, Mark Hartman, and Rich Begel. Mr. Donaleski has performed with the Northern Symphonic Winds, the Onondaga Community Civic Orchestra, the Utica Symphony, the Stardusters Big Band, the Nick Sterio Big Band, the Ilion Civic Band, various theater productions, and the Stage Music Big Band. He has also guest conducted for several select high school and junior high school groups. Matthew is also an established pianist performing as a soloist and an accompanist for many different instruments and choral groups. Matthew likes to stay active in his spare time by gardening, camping, and is currently training for his fourth marathon.
|
