Band Personnel Bio's:

 

"Juke" Joint Jimmy: ~ Lead Vocalist / Musician / Writer /Frontman:

Juke has done many guest appearances with various Bands and has performed at many venue's during his career extending from New England to the N.J. N.Y. metro area, his performances are always a show stopper and he really knows how to get the crowds on their feet and get down to it.  Juke has been in the entertainment business since the late 60's.  Juke also performs occasional "Special Guest Appearances" with Bostons's Danny Klein and his Fullhouse Band, (Geils) and The Dan Lawson Band.  Danny Klein "The Ambassador of Funk, The Ace On Bass" is one of the original founding members of "THE J. GEILS BAND."  Juke also was a studio musician for Scepter Wand Records, Atlantic Records and Elektra Records, in N.Y.C. and a graduate of "The College of Musical Knowledge." In the 70's he was also a Promotion Manager for Warner, Elektra and Atlantic Records in N.Y. N.J. and California. Juke was heavily inspired by The J. Geils Band and remains so to this day.  Juke still performs with many local artists and friends as well and re-united with Peter Wolf and Danny Klein and the entire Geils Crew once again in 2006.  In many respects,  Juke Joint Jimmy  was like a sixth member, a role model for white players who found inspiration in the blues. "We saw Juke Joint Jimmy as this cat from New York  who  somehow got stranded in Boston," Wolf says. "He had a porkpie hat and a knife in his pocket, gun in his waistband. He could drink anybody under the table and was extremely friendly, although you didn't want to rub him the wrong way.  The close friendship with Wolf and D.K. and the many musicians he has worked with along the way has been a long lasting one and will continue for many years to come. Influences: Elvis, Peter Wolf, The J. Geils Band, The Stones, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, James Brown and Doo Wop 50's and 60's Artists.  Juke is a vocalist / musician / writer and has worked with many other business greats such as: 

 

Dionne Warwick 

B.J. Thomas 

The Happenings

James Brown 

The Chiffons 

Frankie Vallie and The Four Seasons

Arno Hecht of The Uptown Horns 

Wilson "Wicked" Pickett

The Esquires

Motive Music

Buddy Moore and The Drifters 

Steve Geller (Bass for Davey Jones of the Monkees)  

Peter O'Brien (Drummer formaly of the band ORLEANS)

Phil Butler (Jimmy Vivino Band) 

Rob Paparozzi

John Korba

Bobby Messano (formaly of Steve Winwood and Starz) 

Richie Ranno (From Starz) 

 

"Magic" Chuck Bravo: ~ Blues Harp / Vocals

Magic was heavily influenced by Magic Dick from the J. Geils Band. As a teenager growing up in the 70's he used to listen to a lot of the J.Geils Band (early cuts) and always loved the way Magic Dick could lay it down, always noodling around trying to figure out Magic's riff's and licks. He quickly became discouraged and never really pursued playing harmonica seriously till the late 80's. At that time he picked up an Instruction book and cassette tape written by a guy David Harp titled Instant Blues Harmonica. Practiced and practiced and the rest Is history, hasn't stopped since. Attended Harmonica Masterclass seminars Led by David Barrett of Harmonica masterclass. He is also a member of a Web Forum of Harmonica Players called HARP-l . Also had lessons by Instructor Rob Paparozzi who was the harp / vocalist front man for the ORIGINAL BLUES BROTHERS BAND and toured with them frequently. Rob has also teamed up with many NYC musicians such as Jimmy Vivino the Lead Guitar Player for the Conan O'Brien Band. Magic feels very privileged to have Rob instruct him from time to time. Also instrumental to Magic was Dennis Gruenling. Dennis is a tone monster and a great harpman. and his phrasing and technique is as good as it gets. Most recently Magic has had the pleasure of meeting Rosy Rosenblatt harp extraordinaire of Danny Kleins FullHouse Band. Rosy and Magic have been trading instructions and licks, Rosy's phasing and technique is one of the best and is such a super guy.

Influences: Magic Dick, James Cotton, Junior Wells, Little Walter, Kim Wilson, Charlie Musslewhite, Jason Ricci, Dennis Gruenling, Jerry Portnoy,Steven Tyler, Robert Plant, John Popper, Sugar Blue, Mark Hummel, Rod Piazza, James Hammond, Joe Filisko, Gary Smith, Rick Estrin, Gary Primich,Taj Mahal, Sonny Terry..... Blues/Rock Influences: The J Geils Band, Eric Clapton, BB King, Gary Moore, Johnny Winter, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Walter Trout, Stevie Ray Vaughan, ZZ top, Carlos Santana, Aerosmith, Led Zep, Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Outlaws, Grateful Dead, Doyle Bramhall II, Jonny Lang, "Smokin" Joe Bonamassa, Buddy Guy, Van Morrison, Ted Nugent, Rolling Stones, Neil Young, Jeff Beck, Alvin Lee....

Some of the great artists Magic Chuck has had the pleasure of playing with:

 

Bobby Messano (formaly of Steve Winwood and Starz)

Dan Lawson Band (Blues Guitar Ace)

Dennis Gruenling (Harmonica Ace)

Rob Paparozzi (Harmonica Ace)

John Garcia (John Lee Hooker)

David Barett (Harmonica Instructor)

Peter O'Brien (Drummer formaly of the band ORLEANS)

Elaine Tuttle (Lead Vocalist The Elevators, Infernphonic, Alive and Kickin, New Power Soul)

Donna Gebbia (Keyboards and Vocals The Elevators)

David Moore (Drummer Extrordinaire)

Robert Kopec (Bass)

Steve Geller (Bass for Davey Jones of the Monkees)

Michael Glasser (Ace Guitarist and great friend)

Mike Torres (MT Pockets)

Jack Uccello (New Power Soul)

Ron Mirro (Guitar Ace)

Kim Wilson (The Fabulous Thunderbirds)

Jason Ricci (Harmonica Virtuoso)

Phil Butler (Jimmy Vivino Band)

Richie Ranno (From Starz)

Mark "GUS" Scott (Trixter)

 

Donna "Mellow Dee" Gebbia: ~  Keyboards / Vocals

Keyboardist:  Donna is an unbelievable keyboard player and can really get the groove on. She also plays with 2 other bands and also does solo appearances in the New York, New Jersey area. She is super cool and a great musician. She has stuck with us through endless efforts and auditions while we tried to assemble a good supporting cast of players for our Geils project. We are truly indebted to her for sticking it out with us, she's a "solid sender" and a great person. We are also very fortunate to have such a talented, gifted individual such as Donna to join the rank and file on this project. Donna is also a background vocalist who helps round it out perfectly. She has performed with many greats such as Eddie and The Cruisers, Juke Joint Jimmy, Dan Lawson Band, Al Green and Richie Havens and many more great artists.

 

Teri "Top Cat" Avella: ~ Bass

Bass:  Teri graduated from Aaron Copeland School of Music at Queens College as a classical trumpeter, and has played Carnegie Hall, but it was her picking up the bass guitar in the high school jazz band that led her on a musical path toward original rock music. Teri's experiences include opening for Joan Jett and Laura Love, two performances with the Lilith Fair '98 tour, an appearance on The Today Show in New York, and in 2000 MTV's Ultimate Cover Band Battle. Teri has performed for artists such as Michelle Wolf, Loretta Hagen, Prince Charming, and Patti Rothberg, as well as recording for Vancouver singer Fiona Lehn's album - One For Me. Teri recently recorded for Swedish Rocker Karin Englund. 

Teri chooses Spector Basses. Some Venues she has performed at: N.J. Shore: Jenkinson's, Bar-Anticipation,Joey Harrison's Surf Club, The Osprey, The Quarter Deck, Tradewinds, Martell's, Brighton Bar, Joe Pops, The Ketch, The Sea Shell, The Green Room. New Jersey. Dexter's, The Blue Room, Murphy's Third Rail, Casey O'Tooles, Willie McBrides, The Gypsy Bar at the Borgata, The Column, Meadowlands Racetrack, The Castle Tavern, The Colorado Cafe, Sound Garden, Austin's Junkyard. The Wreck Room, Loop Lounge, Maxwell's, Cadillac Bar, Orphan Annie's, Love Sexy, Double D's, Palm Grill, Mother's, JP Anthony's, Shout, Fireside, Just Jakes, Kelly's, Kites, Boulevard Pub, Chubby's, Ringside Pub, Rhythms of the Night, The Junction, South Shore Grill, Waterfront Cafe, Whiskey Bar, Tri-State Area: Rookies, Thirsty Turtle II, The Blue, Tuxedo Junction - CT, The Turning Point Café, Rambling House, Club Excape, Nutty Irishman, Chubby McGuires, The Vanderbuilt, Jones Beach Theater, Slopes HVI, - NY, Wobbly Barn, - VT, Stone Balloon, Bottle &; Cork, - DE, The Hoop, Maui, Tinks, - PA, N.Y C. Mercury Lounge, Bitter End, Elbow Room, Acme Underground, Arlene Grocery, Baggot Inn, CBGB, Kenny's Castaways, Meow Mix, Tobacco Road, LeBar Bat, Tramps, Tonic, Downtime, Knitting Factory, Orange Bear, The Living Room, Wetlands, Shine, Rock-n-roll Cafe, The Continental, Rare, Hogs & Heffers, Pussycat Lounge, Freight, Don Hills. Teri is the real deal and when she's rockin it, she just smiles away, knowing we're delivering the package.

 

Don "Pony Boy" Regan: ~ Guitars:

Don has been teaching guitar for 30 years and has been in the greater New York area session and live music scene for a number of years. Don attended Fairleigh Dickinson University and Manhattan School of Music where he majored in guitar studying under classical guitar great Manuel Barrueco, Rolando Valde's- Blane and privately with Jazz guitar legends John Abercrombie, Johnny Smith, and (childhood mentor) Michael Pompeo. He has provided musical composition for such cable TV shows as Giants Today and has played with such musical acts as, the Royal Scam a tribute to Steely Dan , Arctic Dreams original jazz fusion, New Power Soul cabaret band, and  recorded and toured with Fridays Child original power acoustic) with their release of " Democracy " available on Apple I-Tunes or CD Baby.com and other acts to numerous to mention .Currently teaching at The Music Shop in Boonton NJ, also teaching privately in Long Branch NJ, in rehearsal / recording with "The Weird New Jersey Band" and performing with "Teachers Back" and "Everybody's Everything." Don has worked as a sub for us and is now a full time member of "Juke Joint Jimmy and the House Party Rockers."

 

Debby "Lady M" Maggiulli: ~ Percussionist / Drummer /Vocals:  Debby started playing bongos at the age of 4 and got her first set of drums (Ludwig classic) at the age of 8 !!  Since then, she has performed with numerous club and corporate event bands, including Show Bands and original acts where she opened for Richie Havens, David Allen Coe (songwriter of “Take This Job and Shove It”), John Gorka, and  the oldies band “Randy and the Rainbows.”  Her performances have taken her as far as Nashville to New York and include venues like the Bluebird Cafe, Tropicana Hotel, Bethlehem Music Festival, and a multitude of clubs and outdoor concerts all over the tri-state area over the many years of her musical career. We are extremely proud and honored to have Deb on board, she puts "the steam to the machine." 

 

A ******6****** star stellar line-up, couldn't ask for more better group of pro's !!! We also use sub players from time to time and they should be credited also,they are: Steve "Beeg Steenk" Legensky ~ Bass, Steve Geller ~ Bass, Alvin " The Alvinator" Harrison ~ Bass, Tom Ryan ~ Keyboards, Mike Marguccio,~ Drums / Percussion .

 

 The Band That Rocks New Jersey, New York and the Tri State Area !!! 

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