Founder + Lead Singer
Phyllis Kee
Phyllis Kee is a singer, writer, lyricist, contemporary abstract artist and actress hailing from Nyack NY. Phyllis has graced many stages throughout her life. Her vocal range makes her stand out from the rest as she artistically gives each song she sings its own distinct style. She has performed at Rivertown Film events with Sam Waymon – the brother of Nina Simone, and at the movie premier of “The Amazing Nina Simone”, a documentary by Jeff L. Lieberman. She has acted in The Edge of Dawn, by award winning playwright Samuel Harps and the Antrim Playhouse Horton Foote’s “Dividing The Estate”. Her artwork has appeared at the Howlands Cultural Arts Center in Beacon NY. She is also a radio show host of Phyllis’s Groove on Rocklandworldradio.com every Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time.
Music Director & Producer
Robert Ashley
Robert Ashley of Ashleysracsproductions: Bass, (Multi-instrumentalist). Robert began his learning musical journey at the age of 6. Former member of Unique Tyme. While performing with Unique Tyme, his band opened for such artists as Blue Magic, Carolyn Hardy and Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes. Unique Tyme also performed for presidential hopeful Jesse Jackson and at a Jerry Lewis Telethon event…
Guitarist
Ralph Atkins
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KEYBOARDS & SYNTHESIZER, VOCALS
Ken Stern
Ken started piano lessons at age 7. From grade school through high school, his education included classical, boogie-woogie, jazz and rock. During these years, Ken performed with countless rock bands, high school jazz bands. Ken started writing at age 17 and has never stopped.
In 1971, Ken was accepted to Berklee College of Music as an arranging and composition major. There he met up with other Berklee musicians to form the contemporary rock group BucK. With talent agency backing, Boston based BucK went on to pave new roads in live performance of such artists as Led Zeppelin, The Who, ELP, Yes, King Crimson, Deep Purple and Jethro Tull. BucK’s college tours included opening for Aerosmith, J. Geils, REO Speedwagon, James Cotton and others. Ken left BucK in 1975 to pursue a career outside of the music industry, but he continued to write and perform his work in clubs and café’s, as well as concerts in the New York metropolitan area, as he is currently doing.
Other projects Ken has been a member of include the Pete James Blues Band and Russ Gurney’s Blues On Tap, Twisted Cats/ Harlequin Productions, Eklectic Ink. Ken has also produced and recorded a CD titled “Kenergy”.
Ken’s musical influences include Keith Emerson, Jimmy Smith, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Oscar Peterson, Keith Jarrett, and Andreas Vollenweider, as well as many other jazz and rock greats.
Drums
Steve Hodes
Started playing professional at the age of 17 and have not stopped for 40 years. Toured most of the USA, Europe and parts of the middle East with a variety of bands playing Rock, Jazz and Latin. Performed in the pits of local theaters and was the house drummer for few resorts in the Catskills. Currently performing with the rock band Faith in Chaos and Eklectic Ink.
Percussion
Rango Smith
Rango Smith is a lifelong resident of Nyack NY and brings with him over 25 years of percussion experience. Rango is also a member of Sam Waymon’s Magic Band and often is heard with the fabulous Frankie D (Diaz) and Eclectic Inc. Rango’s percussion influences are Mongo Santamaria and Ralph McDonald. “Rang” as known to the band, has a very unique ability to place the right sound into a musical piece at the perfect time which always makes us all smile when it happens. Percussion adds an undertone to the music which gives it life and Rango is the man that makes it all happen.
Soprano Sax
Hervé Alexandre
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Vocals
Charles Paul
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Vocals
Shara B
Shara B is a recording artist and performer. She had performed in Musical Theater as Claudia in the Passion Play for six years. Shara is also in various bands, singing a variety of genres, including rock, standards, blues, soul and pop. She has also performed in solo projects, one being for the mayor of North Bergen. Shara also has two original songs for sale on iTunes, called “Walk Away” and “Time is Up”.
Vocals
Rashida Ashley
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Vocals
Gina Piazza-Hodes
Gina has been a professional singer for many years. She has performed in Club Date, Show and Wedding Bands throughout the country, in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. She has worked as a studio vocalist for Song Writer Demo’s, has performed in NYC Cabaret Shows and Regional Theater Musical Productions. Gina lives in Northwest NJ with her Husband, two young Adult children, her dog and cat.