Nick Drozdoff

Trumpet

Nick has performed with such luminaries as Bob Newhart, Bill Cosby, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dennis De Young of Styx, The Temptations and The Ojays, among many other artists. In 1981, Drozdoff did three world tours with the Maynard Ferguson Orchestra. Since leaving Maynard's band, he settled in Chicago to embark on a free-lance career in the studios and show scene. After completing his music masters in classical trumpet at Roosevelt University, Drozdoff re-directed his music career into a more creative mode. He has been writing and producing music in his own digital multi-track recording studio. Drozdoff currently works days as a high school physics teacher at New Trier High School. With a masters in music and a masters in physics, Drozdoff is sought after as an expert in musical acoustics as well as a trumpeter.

John Tomassone

Trumpet 

Bio Coming Soon...



Jack Schmidt

Trombone

Jack Schmidt is a well known and in demand Chicago area lead trombonist, jazz soloist, studio session player and private teacher. As a lead trombonist and soloist, Jack Schmidt has been featured with Rob Parton’s Jazztech Big Band, The Chicago Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, Louie Bellson, Bob Stone Big Band, Bill May’s Jazz Community plus many more. Jack Schmidt has performed with Ray Charles, Bob Hope, Tony Bennett, Count Basie, Maynard Ferguson, Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry, The Four Freshman, Natalie Cole, Rita Moreno and Steve Allen to name a few. As a session player, Jack Schmidt has played and been featured on many local, national and international radio and tv commercials. He has also been featured on many albums by area groups.
 


 
Doug Daniels

Alto/Tenor Sax

Chicago saxophonist, Doug Daniels, is originally from Peoria, IL. His professional music career began in the early 1990's as a sideman alto and tenor saxophonist backing the best singers and instrumentalists throughout the considerable central Illinois music scene. It was during these years he gained valuable experience in various musical styles while performing with jazz singers such as Judy Page, Gaile Thomas, with Blues guitarist/vocalists Dave Chastain, Emmitt "Maestro" Sanders, and playing in bands led by Rockin' Billy Gress, ,"Boomer" Mike Means, Dave Scott Jr., Mike Nellas, Alvin Butler, Andre Howard, Preston Jackson, and many others. Daniels was also tenor saxophonist for Scott Ligon and the Ligonaires, which obtained a loyal following during the early 2000's while holding a weekly house gig at the Red Barn in Peoria. In 1997, Daniels joined West Side/South Side Chicago Blues legend Eddie King's band, The Swampbees. While working for Eddie King as saxophonist, organist, and road manager, Doug Daniels toured for 6 years both nationally and internationally, while performing in cities such as Paris, NYC Greenwich Village, Barcelona, Santander, Mao' Menorca, Moscow, Istanbul, Ankara, St. Petersburg, Los Angeles, Seattle, Montreal, and many other unlikely places in the world. In 1999 Daniels was asked to join blues giant Little Milton Campell's band, which would have meant a relocation to Memphis, but had to decline the offer and continued to perform with Eddie King and the Swampbees. In the early 2000's Daniels often toured nationally and internationally as tenor saxophonist with "Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadians," led by big band frontman Al Pierson. In 2004, Doug had the experience of being recorded on 2 albums produced by the legendary Jim Gaines, and worked directly with him in the studio recording saxophone solos. Larry Bowen's horn sections backing acts in Chicago such as the O'Jays at Grant Park, and The Dells in the Arie Crown Theater. Recently Doug has toured with, and performed locally with Dr. Willie Wilson's Singsation Gospel group, and leads a jazz trio, the Doug Daniels trio, for hire at corporate events and private parties in Chicago.




Joel Moore

Tenor Sax

Tenor saxophonist and Chicago native Joel Moore specializes in both jazz and rhythm & blues. He received an M.M. in Jazz Pedagogy from the Berklee College of Music and The Boston Conservatory in 2000. While living in Boston, he studied with Jeff Harrington, Bill Pierce and Ed Tomassi and interacted with renowned saxophonists Rick Margitza and Bob Berg during their respective clinics and performances. Joel also performed at the House of Blues and Ryles Jazz Club in Cambridge, MA and toured throughout New England with a variety of ensembles.

Prior to Berklee, Joel lived in Louisiana and began graduate studies at the University of New Orleans. During this time he studied and performed with Ed Petersen, Ellis Marsalis, Delfeayo Marsalis, Mark Whitfield and Victor Goines. He also performed regularly in the legendary French Quarter with a variety of jazz and R&B bands including a year-long stint as saxophonist during the weekly Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues.

From 1992-1996, Joel studied at Western Illinois University and earned a B.S. in Media Communications. During this time he juggled academics and music as a member of the Jazz Studio Orchestra directed by the late Dale Hopper. With JSO, Joel performed along side guest artists Arturo Sandoval, Maynard Ferguson, Tim Hagans and Jim Snidero. He also toured throughout the United States and Europe and recorded The Third Degree (Sea breeze Records) in Nashville with acclaimed jazz trombonist John Fedchock. The compact disc The Third Degree received four stars in Downbeat Magazine.

Since moving back to the Chicago area in 2000, Joel has performed extensively at many of Chicago’s live-music venues including Andy's Jazz Club, Pete Miller's,Buddy Guy’s Legends, Green Dolphin Street, Green Mill, Underground Wonder Bar, The Note and Elbo Room. He has recorded and performed with Orbert Davis, Paul Wertico and recently opened for the Yellowjackets during the 2008 Naperville Jazz Festival. He currently resides in Plainfield with his wife, Amy, and is on the faculty of Benedictine University, Lewis University and Prairie State College. Joel recently toured with the Dr. Willie Wilson Gospel Orchestra which contributed humanitarian aid and performed for Hurricane Katrina victims in the Gulf region.


Kurt Anderson

Bari Sax 

        Baritone saxophonist Kurt Anderson grew up in the Chicago area. Early on he studied piano and flute before discovering jazz music in high school. He took up the saxophone and earned music education and MBA degrees from Eastern Illinois University in the late 70’s and early 80’s. It was at Eastern where he developed a passion for the horn bands of the time - BST, Chicago, EWF, TOP, etc. So when John invited him to join BFTP, he jumped at the opportunity.
       Over the years he kept music a part of his life, performing with many area bands and providing back-up to various artists. In addition to BFTP, he currently performs with the College of Lake County Jazz Ensemble on baritone saxophone.


Bio Coming Soon...



Jeff Anthony

Vocals

Jeff has over 19 years of stage and studio experience and has performed with many types of bands that range from original Alt Rock and blues/rock to Swing standards. He has been performing with Chicago area band Third Exit for four years and can also be seen performing with horn bands Brass From The Past and 25 or 6 to 4. The latter is a tribute to the music of Chicago. Jeff has contributed lead or background vocals to several cd's and is currently providing lead and background vocals for a recording project with Chicago songwriter Dave Piersall and unsigned band Men Who Listen. Some of Jeff's favorite musical highlights have been performing at Legend's in front of Mr. Buddy Guy and opening a show in 2008 for pop legend Rick Springfield.



Caron Buinis

Vocals

Caron is a Chicago based singer and actress. Originally from New York, she hails from a musical family, inheriting her love of music from her father, a professional violinist. After receiving her B.A. in Theatre Arts from Penn State University, Caron went on to receive her MFA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she taught acting for two years. Back in New York City, she began her cabaret career, performing in such clubs as The Duplex, Don’t Tell Mama, and The Fives. Once Caron moved to Chicago she began performing in both cabaret and theatre. Cabaret clubs include: The Racoon Club, Orphans, The Boombala Club, The Zebra Lounge, Gentry on Halsted, The Royal George and Davenports. Favorite theatrical roles include: Miss Hannigan in Annie, Vera Charles in Mame, Victoria Grant in Victor/Victoria, Bella in Lost inYonkers, Fraulein Kost in Cabaret, and Woman #1 in And the World Goes‘Round. She also is a member of two bands that perform in the Chicagoland area – RPM and IROCK. When not performing, you can find Caron running races all over the country, with a special emphasis on marathons.



John Aguila

Vocals

Bio Coming Soon...


Joe Quarrato

Drums

Bio Coming Soon...



Derick Polk

Bass

Derick is a Bassist and retired Navy Musician. While in the Navy he performed all over the world including high profile events for World Leaders. Derick has also performed with artists including Ernestine Anderson, Fred Anderson, Rosemary Clooney, Lou Donaldson, Von Freeman, Eddie Harris, Dizzy Gillespie, Bunky Green, Milt Jackson, Henry Johnson, Delfeayo Marsailas, Ronnie Matthews, Clark Terry and Milt Trenier. He has done a National tour of Ain't Misbehavin and have performed in productions of Anything Goes, Chorus Line, Godspell, The King and I, My Fair Lady, Oklahoma and A Tribute to the Black Crooners. I was a member of the Bremerton Symphony Orchestra, Bremerton Washington and curently a member of the Ravenswood Community Orchestra, Chicago Illinois. Derick is currently performing at various venues in the greater Chicago area with local artists and musicians


Bob Habersat

Guitar

Bio Coming Soon...


Robert Presley

Keyboards

Bio Coming Soon...