LIVE Classic Rock, Pop, Country, Blues & PARTY Music!!
After 18 years of absolute FUN, the final curtain has closed for JFT Party Band!!
History and Members of the Band:
It all began when John Nielsen asked Frank Aragona and Tony Campbell to accompany him on a few songs at a Jeff White Open Mic. Frank was a professional guitar player and vocalist who has the ability to recall the notes and words of literally thousands of songs! The vocals of John & Frank blended so nicely and each had a range that allowed for thick harmony. Tony is a professional jazz bass player who grew up in the same era and could follow anything we threw at him. After several weeks of those core three players performing at area open mics, the Manager of the Green Mill Bar & Restaurant booked the trio to be the weekly house band and play every Wednesday night. That went on for two years until the bar was sold. Then, with a solid following, the trio had to come up with a name...JFT for Johnny, Frankie and Tony! This configuration added songs and venues they played for about a year. The band was asked to do a larger party/event so we asked local drummer Billy Cooney to join the gig. Having a drummer made it into a real party with a beat people danced to with ease. Billy became a permanent member of the band and that is when we added the name 'Party' to the name.
Frank and John have kept the JFT Party Band going with a variety of regular and special musical guests. Lets step through the positions and who has filled those slots as a (R) egular and (G)uest player:
Bass:
Tony Campbell (R)
Keith Seiperski (R)
Dave Schoenrock (R)
Bentley Harder (R)
Peter Phippen (G)
Dan Olson (G)
Dan Zerr (G)
Rick Anderson (G)
* Caleb Horne (R)
2nd Guitar/Vocals/Mandolin:
Caleb Horne (R)
Drums:
Billy Cooney (R)
John LeBraun (G)
Patrick Bedard (R)
Wolfgang Zank (G)
* John Brummer (R)
Keys:
* Billy Angel (R)
Lead Vocal/12-str Rhythm Guitar:
* John Nielsen (R)
Lead Guitar/Vocals:
* Frank Aragona (R)
* Mark Zanoni (R)
We have been gifted with the talents of so many guest musicians. JFT always had an 'open stage' policy. It was very common to have guests join us for a few songs or for the entire show. The pop up special times are what made JFT famous for the fun they brought to a room. It was said many times: "Just bring the bodies, and JFT will make a party happen!"
Let us give our thanks and credit to those who have been part of the 'Party Band':
Jennifer Hazen -vocals
Patty Wack - vocals, percussion, kazoo
Sara from Sassy Magoo - vocals
Crystal from Crystal & the Commotion - vocals
DJ Harm - vocals
Austin Marie - vocals
Peter Phippen - Vocals, guitar, bass
Victoria Shoemaker - Sax, vocals, bass, drums, guitar, flute
Jeff White - vocals, guitar, harp
James Ignacio - Sax, vocals
Steve Norwick - vocals, guitar, rythym
Cassanova Brown - Vocals
Lucas Fischer - Guitar, Vocals
Molly Otis - Fiddle, Guitar, Vocals
Shaggy - Congas
Bob Falk - Harmonica
Rick Gorud - Flute
Kim Richie - Guitar, vocals
Kia Ulrica - Guitar, vocals
Nick Wolfe - Guitar
Gary Dupuis - Guitar, vocal
Anastasia Vishnevsky - Guitar, vocals
Greg Gilbertson - Guitar, vocals
Jon Erickson - guitar, vocals
"...If
someone put a gun to my head and told me to find one word to describe this band
it would be: high-spirited, good-natured and energizing. These guys are exactly as billed: A Party Band!!
And they have so much fun!... - Jennifer Hazen, Editor - The Scene
