Jeff Walker Bass
"When I was a kid I had the usual shoeboxes full of music, but they were not the stars I heard on the radio. Bloomington/Normal has been talent-rich for a long time--and it was mostly local musician's
I had in my collection...
I used to sneak into the bars to see the likes of Marc Boon and other local talent playing the scene.
I have been lucky enough to do many different bands and projects, I give a few bass lessons.
I am truly honored, however, to play with this particular group of brothers and sisters "
Jeff
"When I was a kid I had the usual shoeboxes full of music, but they were not the stars I heard on the radio. Bloomington/Normal has been talent-rich for a long time--and it was mostly local musician's
I had in my collection...
I used to sneak into the bars to see the likes of Marc Boon and other local talent playing the scene.
I have been lucky enough to do many different bands and projects, I give a few bass lessons.
I am truly honored, however, to play with this particular group of brothers and sisters "
Jeff
Ray Wiggs on keyboards: by Marc Boon
Ray was and is the great keyboard player from "Appaloosa", a hugely popular band from a few years back and has been with me for 15 years now. He is an incredibly talented player and great guy to be around. His substantial skills bring another dimension to the band. He's a beast on keyboards with a very cool style that can combine B-3 and Rhodes sounds flawlessly plus he brings a wealth of musical knowledge to the band. The dude can play anything.
Ray was and is the great keyboard player from "Appaloosa", a hugely popular band from a few years back and has been with me for 15 years now. He is an incredibly talented player and great guy to be around. His substantial skills bring another dimension to the band. He's a beast on keyboards with a very cool style that can combine B-3 and Rhodes sounds flawlessly plus he brings a wealth of musical knowledge to the band. The dude can play anything.
Drummer Don Stahl
Born and raised in Fairbury, IL., I started playing drums at age 10 and studied at P.I.T./Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA..
In the 30 years since, I have lived in Florida and Colorado, and played every style of music imaginable, crisscrossing the nation several times, playing gigs big and small.
My family and I recently made our way back to Illinois, and a chance meeting with Marc Boon lead to this current partnership.
From the first rehearsal, I was blown away by the musicality of this band and how easy it is to play with them. I’ve played with 100’s of musicians in my time and these guys are some of the best. They make me a better player which allows me to serve the music better. And, we laugh…a LOT! We’re blessed to have found each other.ch other.”
In the 30 years since, I have lived in Florida and Colorado, and played every style of music imaginable, crisscrossing the nation several times, playing gigs big and small.
My family and I recently made our way back to Illinois, and a chance meeting with Marc Boon lead to this current partnership.
From the first rehearsal, I was blown away by the musicality of this band and how easy it is to play with them. I’ve played with 100’s of musicians in my time and these guys are some of the best. They make me a better player which allows me to serve the music better. And, we laugh…a LOT! We’re blessed to have found each other.ch other.”
Jerry "Muttonhead" Erickson has been a mainstay of "go to", not only Central Illinois but national, list of musicians for many years. When the project turned to guitar players he was one of the first on my list to call. His steel playing is amazing and forget about 6 string. I thought Lowell George or Bonnie Raitt was in my studio. He's just amazingly talented no matter what.
Jerry's session blew my fragile little mind!!
We hope he can recover in time to join us for the 24th Last Call!
We hope he can recover in time to join us for the 24th Last Call!
Ken Thornton guitar : Ken is possibly the most talented all around musician I have had the pleasure to get to know. I've heard him play for years in "Von Frickel". "Geoff Beran and the Mystery Van", "The Rutles" and a ton of other projects with his many partners in crime as well as solo releases over the past several decades. He writes amazing songs, blows my fragile little mind with his guitar mastery, has taught me a ton about Producing, has an outstanding voice, a great ear, performs an awesome range of genres flawlessly, and just is a wonderful person. He's a great hang too. Proud to have him with us on the final leg of the 55 year journey. It's such an honor to have him for this last live run. Thank you my new friend! mmmmmkay?
Hannah Leisner Vocals
Hannah ( solo photo coming) is the newest member of the band however I've known her since she was a baby as she is my Great Niece. It is such a pleasure and honor to have her with me as I round out my career. She is finishing college in two years and has enjoyed singing her entire life. She creates her own music and just has the best smile in the world and also has a beautiful voice. It is very cool to get to know her as a fellow musician and not just family. This is her first time on this sort of stage however she enjoyed theater and singing throughout high school and I get to sing with her now! Out standing! Not sure my nephew wants her to be a Day Drinker though. |
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Sarah Lange Vocalist / Flute
Sarah originally started out as our Alto player for last seasons run. Its was so cool as she got the charts and came in the night before our amazing gig at Connie Link last year and worked with us for the first time. We met her the night before!!! She plays and teaches flute, plus clarinet and alto and tenor sax. With the departure of Jess and Kenzie she volunteered to switch over to singing with us and its proven to be a solid move. Wonderful voice and just a super person. She teaches at Hip Cat and also works for the BCPA in Bloomington. Sarah is getting married soon as well however for now she's a Day Drinker and a joy to have with us.
We have a new assemblance of horns...photos to come however looking forward to riding along with Trevor Gould on trumpet, Ryan Valdivia on trumpet, Darius Botley on tenor, our old friends Russ Zehr on alto, Michael Archer on trombone, and our own "Doc" on bari, Jeff Estes.
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Trevor Gould on trumpet Marc with Jeff "Doc" Estes
Stuff about Trevor. Well I called him "Travis" at out second session together and he was nice enough to correct me kindly. What else...teacher, performer in many brass bands of every genre; bad ass flugal (or frugal as auto correct says) horn player and trumpet player as you will no doubt hear if you haven't already. He and Darius' solos on Deacon Blues are so perfect and genuine. Fun to be around and once again a tremendously talented and gifted player. This ensemble plays so well together and I know you will be as pleased as I am when you hear them wail!
Jeff "Doc" Estes has been in several of my projects playing bari, EWI. Bass, and vocals. He was at my side for the last few years of Hip Pocket, Oh Solo Trio with Chriss Briggs, and now with the Day Drinkers. He is a great hang even though he really only drinks wine which is okay however a sip of bourbon from time to time seems okay with him. We've known each other since we were kids and it has a pleasure to have him back for the The Last Call. Thanks so much Jeff!
Stuff about Trevor. Well I called him "Travis" at out second session together and he was nice enough to correct me kindly. What else...teacher, performer in many brass bands of every genre; bad ass flugal (or frugal as auto correct says) horn player and trumpet player as you will no doubt hear if you haven't already. He and Darius' solos on Deacon Blues are so perfect and genuine. Fun to be around and once again a tremendously talented and gifted player. This ensemble plays so well together and I know you will be as pleased as I am when you hear them wail!
Jeff "Doc" Estes has been in several of my projects playing bari, EWI. Bass, and vocals. He was at my side for the last few years of Hip Pocket, Oh Solo Trio with Chriss Briggs, and now with the Day Drinkers. He is a great hang even though he really only drinks wine which is okay however a sip of bourbon from time to time seems okay with him. We've known each other since we were kids and it has a pleasure to have him back for the The Last Call. Thanks so much Jeff!
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Ryan Valdivia comes to us from ISU school of music where he is performing with several ensembles and the symphony as he finishes his degree in performance. He has an excellent ear and writes charts for all his side projects. Recently he was included in a group from ISU attending the Rafael Mendez Brass Institute in Denver.
He along with Trevor are the newest members to the horn section and man do they play well together. Can't wait for you to hear them. He's also a great hang!! Thanks Ryan for all your skills!
He along with Trevor are the newest members to the horn section and man do they play well together. Can't wait for you to hear them. He's also a great hang!! Thanks Ryan for all your skills!
Top left if Darius Botley; right is Russ Zehr; lower left Michael Archer with Ryan Valdivia just above.
Darius comes to us from Hip Cat School of Music and ISU SOM. Terrifically gifted musician with a plan for his future. He plays in Jazz in the ISU Jazz Quartet and has his own jazz quartet called "Botley's Boys" which you should check out. Outstanding guy to be around and knew I was going to like his playing when he said he admired Dexter Gordon's career and playing style. His solo work on our recordings has been out of site and can't wait for you to hear him. Thank you, Darius, for sharing your amazing self with us! (and thanks for nicknaming me boo! Perfect!!)
Russ Zehr has been on and off in my projects for 15 years. He's a pastor; a salesperson at The Music Shoppe, plays in every town band in the tri-state area in the summer, plays professionally with classical saxophone ensembles, and plays every reed there is I think....all the saxes anyway. He may be the most humble and honest person I know and is and always has been a joy to be with. He has his moments however my admiration for him is second to none. Love you brother and thanks Russ for joining me for the Last Call! (Not Roll Call)
Michael Archer is a teacher of brass at The Music Shoppe; a road salesperson for them as well. If he could Michael would spend every waking moment playing in a brass ensemble or the symphony. He blows some mean trombone on the pop side too. Also, just guess his age? Go ahead. Super nice person who is always there to write a chart or fix a part. Great hang and better have food if he's coming to your house! Michael has been with me a bit as well going back to the Hip Pocket Reunion Show. Thanks Michael!
Darius comes to us from Hip Cat School of Music and ISU SOM. Terrifically gifted musician with a plan for his future. He plays in Jazz in the ISU Jazz Quartet and has his own jazz quartet called "Botley's Boys" which you should check out. Outstanding guy to be around and knew I was going to like his playing when he said he admired Dexter Gordon's career and playing style. His solo work on our recordings has been out of site and can't wait for you to hear him. Thank you, Darius, for sharing your amazing self with us! (and thanks for nicknaming me boo! Perfect!!)
Russ Zehr has been on and off in my projects for 15 years. He's a pastor; a salesperson at The Music Shoppe, plays in every town band in the tri-state area in the summer, plays professionally with classical saxophone ensembles, and plays every reed there is I think....all the saxes anyway. He may be the most humble and honest person I know and is and always has been a joy to be with. He has his moments however my admiration for him is second to none. Love you brother and thanks Russ for joining me for the Last Call! (Not Roll Call)
Michael Archer is a teacher of brass at The Music Shoppe; a road salesperson for them as well. If he could Michael would spend every waking moment playing in a brass ensemble or the symphony. He blows some mean trombone on the pop side too. Also, just guess his age? Go ahead. Super nice person who is always there to write a chart or fix a part. Great hang and better have food if he's coming to your house! Michael has been with me a bit as well going back to the Hip Pocket Reunion Show. Thanks Michael!
The amazingly talented Jay Thomason is back with us for the final run and we are so grateful he's healed enough to join the fun. His back gave way shorlty after our last gig in Nov 22 and he is just now getting well enough to play. Great to have one of our original guitar players back for the last call. He studied in California and has played professionally for over 2 decades. His creativity and energy will blow you away even if he has to sit down...we better get some straps ready cause sitting isn't what he does. Love you dude and thanks for getting out of hibernation for us!
We'll have a few guests joining in the fun as well so keep an eye on the page to find out who they might be.