The Players
Vinny Cavo (lead vocals)
Vinny Cavo, a native of Utica, New York, has spent a lifetime pursuing his passion for music. His career began with Cyclone, followed by The Young Americans and the popular Central New York party band Hi Roller. He later toured with Mere Mortals, recording two independent albums, including Omnia in Numeria Sita Sunt, which earned a Top Ten Nielsen ranking in New York State, and Immortalized, which led to a national television appearance on Dance Party USA in 1987.
Vinny was also a founding member of Big Krush, contributing to four CDs of original music. Today, he continues his musical journey as lead vocalist for Soul Injection, embracing new creative opportunities and sharing his love of music with audiences.
John Short (keyboards/vocals/music director)
John Short lives in Herkimer, New York and is a graduate of the Ilion School District. After spending a year at St. Lawrence University immersing himself in the Music program, he returned to the valley to earn an AAS degree in General Studies from HCCC, while playing out 3 to 4 nights a week.
John is a 25 year veteran of the CNY music scene. Many know him as a founding member of the band Showtime, and more recently his work with Classified. He has shared the stage with everyone from sitting members of Congress (John Hall D-NY) to Michael Glabicki (the lead singer of Rusted Root) and many others in between.
John credits his passion for music to his Violin instructor TJ McAveny. Self taught on Keys, John also plays violin. His addition fills out the sound of Soul Injection, and allows for greater arranging vocally and instrumentally.
Dan Anthony (guitar, tech wizard)
A guitarist for more than 35 years, Dan brings expertise on sound engineering along with his years of playing guitar; He blends the two together for an energetic experience on stage. Dan has been a lifelong guitarist, studying with Carmen Caramanica and working with some of best musicians in the area.
Joe Karwacki (bass, vocals)
Joe comes to play first bass for Soul Injection with a varied background that includes composer, arranger, music director, classical/jazz upright bassist, piano technician, and music educator. He is a graduate of Ithaca College’s School of Music and has studied and played bass throughout the United States. An in-demand bassist, Joe juggles his performance schedule among several groups. He has worked for Al Martino, Ella Fitzgerald, Harry Connick Jr., Barry Manilow, and local groups; One Sweet Ride, Ladies of Soul, C.O.D., Johnny & the Robbers, Rick Compton Trio, Matt Rockwell Group, Bevel, Jump, and Rio. In 2008, he and Scott Madonia founded the 19-Piece Stage Music Big Band, which featured several current and past horn players from Soul Injection.
Sam Sampere (reeds, vocals)
Sam started playing clarinet in 4th grade, then switched to saxophone that summer, studying with local sax legend Jerry Santy, until he finished his undergrad. An alumnus of Henninger High School's (Syracuse) music program, Sam chose to attend LeMoyne College to study physics. While there, Sam continued his musical pursuits playing in the Syracuse University Big Band, and then played in the big band when he went to grad school at SUNY Binghamton. Stints in New Jersey and Toledo afforded Sam opportunities to play in regional big bands with renowned musicians. Sam returned to Syracuse to teach physics at Syracuse University, and played in numerous local groups including The Celebration Band and Soul Mine. A versatile woodwind performer, Sam plays tenor, alto, and soprano saxophones, clarinet, and flute.
Terry Gordon (trumpet, flugelhorn)
Trumpeter/composer Terry Gordon performs across styles including jazz, Latin, big band, rock, classical, and contemporary Christian music. He appears regularly with groups such as Alex Torres y su Orquesta, the Terry Gordon Quintet, and the Arch Stanton Quartet, and has been featured on more than 40 recordings, including multiple releases of original music.
He has played major festivals and venues such as the Montreal and Rochester International Jazz Festivals, Lincoln Center, and Musikfest, and has shared the stage with Bobby Rydell, Leslie Gore, and The Temptations. He has also recorded with Alex Torres y su Orquesta and, as a member of the Empire Jazz Orchestra, has performed with artists including Jimmy Heath, Benny Golson, Randy Brecker, Wycliffe Gordon, and David "Fathead" Newman.
Dana Jerrard (trombone, vocals)
Dana’s first instrument was trombone, but for the past 30 years he has performed as a Dixieland tuba player for groups such as The Clef Dwellers, North Country Preservation Jazz Band and the Gutbucket Five. As a trombonist, he has played a wide range of musical styles, from the classical repertoire of the Paris Hill Brass Quintet, to the big band sound of the Stage Music Big Band, the Utica Symphony, and musical pit orchestras for area shows and touring productions.
Maurice "Mo" Putrello (drums)
Maurice is one of the most celebrated and legendary drummers in our area. Born a true Utican, he hit the road as a yoot and toured professionally in the southeast United States for many years. Returning home, he was a founding member of a local legendary band of the 80s, Target. and has now returned as the bedrock of the Soul Injection sound. Mo has taught and inspired drummers far and wide, many of whom are playing professionally. When not on the throne, Mo can be found weeding his garden or doting over his rescue pup.
Tony Brindisi (coordinator & general manager /sound tech)
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 ", "Heaven" and ending most recently in the last few years with "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 for a replacement 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. Tony is known asThe Miracle Man because of his ability to make things happen when the odds seem to be stacked against him.