"...We can't thank you enough for the swingingest wedding ever - People are still talking about it..." "...Thank you again for being a part of my daughter's wedding celebration at the Russian Tea Room. I continue to receive compliments on the entire event and many of the comments are about the excellent band and music..." |
Michael Snyder - Piano/Saxophone
Michael Snyder, saxophonist and pianist, was born in New York City, but resides in suburban Levittown. Mr. Snyder earned baccalaureate and master's degrees in music and music education from C. W. Post College in 1964 and 1971 respectively. While at Post, he studied classical clarinet with Dr. Mark Dolliver, a student of classical clarinet master Daniel Bonade. These lessons were applied to Post's bands, where Mr. Snyder played first and solo clarinet. He has worked for more than thirty years in the single engagement field, most often as a keyboard player for Dwight Howard, Courtney Colletti, Steven Scott, and other clubdate offices. His baritone and tenor saxophone work has been heard in backing bands for Jerry Vale and Al Martino, as well as in the big bands of Lew Picardi, Ben Grisafi, and most recently Joe Battaglia.Gene Drob - Piano/Violin
Gene has been a long time practitioner of various musical styles which include Classical and Jazz Piano. Gene graduated with top honors from the Latvian State Conservatory in 1968. In his hometown of Riga Latvia he held positions as the concertmaster for the Latvia Pops Orchestra as well as a Principal Violin in the Latvian State Radio and Television Orchestra. Since immigrating to the United States in 1990 Gene has distinguished himself in several orchestras in the New York area, having performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall as well as Avery Fisher Hall under some of the most famous conductors in the world.Mike Campenni - Drums
Mike Campenni, a native New Yorker, began playing drums at a very young age. He has a degree from Manhattan School of Music and a Masters degree in music education from Lehman College. He has performed with many famous artists such as Gill Coggins(Pianist with Miles Davis), Bob Mintzer, Ted Curson, and Bobby Watson. From rock to jazz he is considered one of the best big band drummers today.Percy Brice - Drums
Percy has enjoyed a long and distinguished career traveling all over the world with great artists such as Benny Carter, Billy Taylor, George Shearing, Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, and Harry Belafonte. His shows include Eubie Blakes "Eubie" and Bublin Brown Sugar, as Percussionist and Conductor.Vic Lella - Guitar
Born in the Bronx, NY, Vic has been freelancing at supper clubs in the New York area for 25 years. He has performed with Louie Lyman, Teen Chorus, Pattie Labell, and the Blue Bells.Yas Takeda - Bass
Born in Osaka, Japan. After playing professionally as a jazz bass player for ten years, Yas moved to New York. He hase been working with many Jazz greats such as Jaki Byard, Ray Bryant, Ted Curson, Dizzy Reece, Ronnie Mathews, Brad Mehldau, Peter Bernstein, and Luis Heys in New York. He has a Master of Music degree from Queens College.