Artists

Artists:
Mark Gonder, Brad Wagner, Tony Spicer, Vernon Jones, Gene Parker, Scott Rogers, Gaetano Letizia, Patrick Wagner, Ben Powers Jr., Chris Conway, Mouse Greegor, Ed Marthey, Sullivan Rosario, Mario Rosario, Eliud Arce, Tim Walborn, Mark Gonder, Penn Moody, Al Garcia, Jose Tijerina, Elizabeth Tijerina, Danny Sauers, Stan Pletcher, Marty Hodel, Klaus Ernst, Jay Perez, Jim "JR" Richley, Jim Richer, Brooks Richer, Bill Beck, Jim Weyandt, Jack Schantz, Andy Schifano, Louie Meinhart, Keith McKelley, BJ Bishop, Jason Wisniewski, Alana Garcia de Ramos, Albert "Teets" Garcia, Mark Hagans, Rick Rufenacht, Frank D'Ambrosia, Jim Shaffer, Marv Burnett, and many more...

Elizabeth Tijerina, Kent, OH, Vocals
'Betsy' graduated from the University of Akron with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. She sang under the direction of Robert Page with the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and has sung with other noted choral ensembles including the Blossom Festival Chorus, Akron Symphony Chorus and the Choir of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Cleveland. Her studio recordings include original music, commercial jingles and the Cathedral Choir's CD recording, "Sicut Locutus Est." Elizabeth enjoys performing many genres of music, including jazz, opera, musical theatre, choral, and popular music.
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Al Garcia, Archbold, OH, Drums
Al has been a drummer since 1957 and plays various percussion including timbales. Al’s music background includes: Marching, Symphonic, Show, Dance, Rock, Country & Western, Tejano, Conjunto, Salsa, Latin Jazz, Praise & Worship, Jazz, and Swing. Al has recorded on various CD’s. Al is married to Andrea (nee Westrick) his wife of 35+ years. Al is the father of Alana, Julia, Victoria, Albert J. and Joe and grandfather to eleven grandchildren.

Frank D’Ambrosia, Archbold, OH, Alto Saxophone
Frank is the Village of Archbold, Ohio’s Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent. Frank is an active musician who plays keyboards, clarinet, and various makes of saxes – tenor, baritone, soprano. Frank received his BA degree in Music from Queens College in New York. Since 1979, Frank has played in various bands for weddings & private parties across the East coast and Canada. Frank also has orchestral experience having played clarinet & sax in various musicals since 1966. Frank gives private lessons for piano, and is currently playing with several bands, including the Black Swamp Swing Band, The Lemon Squeezer Band, Latin Jazz, and various other bands and groups.
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Mark Hagans – Archbold, OH, Trumpet
An attorney in Archbold, Ohio, Mark has developed an interest in jazz trumpet in lieu of any other mid-life crises. Mark was raised in Colchester, Vermont, but relocated to Ohio to attend college and law school (and to get married to his wife of many years, Cristin). With varied interests outside of the legal and musical arenas, Mark spends most of his time chasing Connor, Ethan and Carsyn, his three young children, around all manner of playground equipment. Mark has played in various jazz and standard ensembles, and performs for numerous local musicals for several area groups.
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Penn Moody – Indianapolis, IN, Guitar (electric and nylon string)
Penn lives and practices optometry, Moody Eyes, in Indianapolis, IN. He grew up in Charleston, WV, and attended Indiana University in Bloomington. There Penn developed a love of guitar, jazz, and Latin music, both as a listener and player. Penn enjoys playing in his church worship band where most of the musicians are professionals. Penn especially enjoys learning new music and playing at special events, such as with Latin Jazz. Penn has five children and enjoys bike riding and hanging out with his kids.
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William “Bill” Beck - Archbold, OH – Guitar (electric & acoustic), Mandolin, & Vocals
Bill has performed with many bands since the age of 8. “Little Billy Beck and The Country Pals”, “The Lawndale Choir”, “Doc Fincher’s Old Timey String Band”, “Bill Beck & Friends”, “Beck & McRobbie”, “The Bill Beck Band”, and most recently with “Roy-G-BIV”, “1 A.D.” and “The Black Swamp Swing Band”. For many years he played country, bluegrass, and Contemporary Christian Folk-Rock. More recently he has gone down the blues and jazz path with his electric guitar in tow. Bill is married to Kathy and has four children. During the daylight hours Bill operates V.S. Beck Insurance Agency with his brother and in his spare time enjoys traveling, riding motorcycles, following his kids around the planet and making music.
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Chris Conway - Orrville, OH - Bass (electric & acoustic), Guitar (electric & acoustic), Vocals, Drum Sequencing & Midi. Check out Myspace. Born in 1956, Chris started playing guitar in the the third grade. His first gig was his fifth grade Christmas program where he played Silent Night on guitar. In 1971 Chris joined the Orrville High School Jazz Band. It was a pivotal point for him and a very unique musical experience that opened many musical opportunities primarily due to the schools music director, Perry Mosmer, and also a list of very talented fellow-musicians such as Jack Schantz, and a very supportive community. At college Chris found additional music opportunities by playing acoustic bass in the orchestra and electric bass with the jazz band playing alongside jazz greats such as: Clark Terry, Ed Shawnessy, Phil woods, Eddie Daniels, Bill Dobbins, to name a few. In 1976, Chris landed a gig at Disneyland California playing guitar with the College Singers and Band All-Stars. Pursuing his quest for music knowledge, Chris attended clinics with famous composers, arrangers, and other music business persons. After college Chris played various clubs and hotels with local bands, Mercedes, and Champagne. In 1989, Chris was hired as bassist for the Hour of Power Singers and Orchestra at Trinity Gospel Temple, in Canton, OH. In 1994 Chris joined the very talented variety group Special Request that plays for wedding and corporate parties in the Cleveland and Akron area. Also during that period, Chris established a recording studio and began recording his compositions. Chris also teamed up to compose and record with two local artists, Ed Marthey and Jake Tijerina. Today Chris continues to play with Special Request, at the church, and with numerous other musicians, bands, and shows in Northeast Ohio. Chris is highly proficient on bass, electric and classical guitar, drums and midi instruments, and can play numerous styles of music.
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